Correction Chains

[ElectraWoman]

I think people use check chains BECAUSE their dog is unresponsive to a flat collar

Don't disagree with that! If a dog is unresponsive to flat collars, then the owner should look for alternatives.

However - would you be comfortable with a trainer, or a training centre, that advocates the use of check chains as the primary training tool? Perhaps without seeing if a dog is responsive to flat collars? That's probably one of my main concerns. I'm not denying that check chains can be useful, but I'm not sure if they should be used as a first resort.

[pgm]

ElectraWoman: However - would you be comfortable with a trainer, or a training centre, that advocates the use of check chains as the primary training tool?

pgm: I would be very comfortable, so long as I was assured the trainer used them correctly.

But you seem to be under a misapprehension - a correction collar is just that - if the dog never pulls he never recieves a correction. Hence it would make no difference what collar he was wearing.

[CAL]

Do what you feel comfortable with, and if you don't like it then find another trainer.

I'm personally not in favour of them, but I have chosen a gentle, intelligent, easily trained breed.

[Raelene]

Not usually in this forum - usually dog rescue - however if you were looking for a harness that was effective, could I recommend the "Sporn Halter". I know that Ruddocks are a supplier. I have recently tried a couple of these out on the rescue Staffords "that pulled like trains" on a flat collar and the change was near immediate (as well as a number of other troublesome walkers). Have also met a couple with huge, overweight, labradors that were uncontrollable to walk together on a range of collars - in a Sporn Halter the woman could walk them both together by herself. The dogs loved them too. Haven't used them for formal "training" though but can't imagine there would be a huge difference really as the mechanicals of it are fitted to the top of the collar.

Regardless of collar type, I use both check chains and flat collars and the Black Dog Wear martingale collar (depending on the dog, I have a stafford that lays on her back if a check chain is on her at all, but is fine in a flat collar), I would recommend that practicing attention exercises where the dog will look at you on request (lots of well timed treats/praise when the dog attention meets your face (then slowly increase eye contact time helps marvellously). Slowly incorporating this learnt practice into your heelwork etc, will assist those difficult dogs. As they say - it wont happen overnight but with consistent training and slowly introducing distractions - attention will happen. Really, that's the name of the game, because if their attention is on you - you've got them, they are happy to be with you, train with you, etc.

Can't see anything wrong with the "correct" use of a check chain, however you often see many a handler not using them correctly which causes the nasty stigma they have gained (mind you many handlers can do as much damage with they way they some of them use their flat collars). Holding a dog's front legs off the ground is one that wouldn't be a use that I would be thinking of, that would fall into the later category. I'm sure that there are other methods that would assist.

Good luck with your commitment to training! It is great to see your keenness to learn! I can see that you'll have a well-trained companion in the future.

Raelene

[Sayreovi]

Dont like them prefer not to use them, but with Nova a check is the only way i can control him, thats why i show him with a snake chain and not a usual nylon thingy as he can get uncontrollable around bitches in season.

At training i do use a Gentle Leader but i am very slowly getting rid of that and try not to use it at obedience but he has his off days where he does need it so i still take it around with me.

With the club a couple of years ago i went to a club that INSISTED i have a check chain and i shouldnt bother coming without one as "you cant train without one" this was the first and last time i was there, went to a different one where they let me train with the equipment i want. Moved and am currently at what i consider a great club!!!

Dont do anything you are uncomfortable with!!!!

Natasha