The Proper Use Of A Dog Choke Chain
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The idea of using a dog choke chain or collar on a pet is controversial to say the least. Some feel it is a useful tool when handling an animal, while others feel the use is completely uncalled for.
You might ask several people and get several different answers. Some believe that a choke device or collar has its place and you may see them being used by professional dog handlers while parading their pure bred around the ring for judging. Many will tell you that if owners trained their dogs properly, there would never be any need for such a device.
Most people will admit that a choke collar can be useful when an animal is undisciplined. However, this is not the purpose of a choke collar and should not be used for this purpose. Choke collars and chains are for training and can be highly effective and safe when used correctly. Setting the choke collar around his neck should your pet that it's time to give you his attention.
Choke chains and collars come in three general varieties, nylon, chain and prong style and part of the secret to successful use is having a proper fit. Get a measuring tape or simply a piece of string and wrap it around the dog's neck about an inch behind the ears. Place two fingers under the string for the animals' comfort and then add another 2 1/2 inches to that. If possible, take your dog with you to the pet store and try several until you get a good fit.
When your dog was a puppy and its mother wanted to correct it, she would grasp the pup by the scruff. This is the action the choke chain is simulating and it lets your dog know through a familiar action that it is misbehaving. The collar sits up behind the dog's ears to provide this motion, not around the throat or neck.
Whichever type of device you purchase, be sure that it works smoothly and properly and that you, as the owner, know how to operate it. If you don't, you can seriously injure your dog. The device is for training purposes and is not a collar that should be left on the dog under any circumstances, no matter how grand it looks on. Do not allow children to operate the choke. A choke collar does choke and your dog could suffer serious harm.
Placing the choke collar on your dog should let it know that it is time to pay attention to you and that you're going to be doing something together. It is time for learning and the collar serves as a way of quickly correcting undesirable behavior while you're training together.
The animal should be close to your side in the heel position as you walk along. When the dog needs correction, the choke collar should be quickly pulled up behind and ears, and a sharp verbal correction such as "NO!" expressed in a firm voice. The tension on the choke should then immediately be released. The quick tension behind the ears and the verbal reprimand gets the animal's attention and tells it that it did something you didn't like. Dogs are eager to please and with patience and consistent training, they will come around to understand what is and isn't okay.
If your dog is "hacking", then you are handling the choke collar incorrectly and you need more practice in getting the pulling and releasing motion down properly. Remember, you want the training to be fun for the both of you. You don't want your pet to come away with damaged vocal chords. These devices should never be used as a form of punishment. Dogs naturally aim to please us and it usually doesn't take much more than a loud noise or sharp command from you to stop them from misbehaving.
If you are patient and loving with your pet, you will have a long, happy relationship and a well-behaved dog. A dog choke collar or chain can be a useful tool when training if used properly. While you're training don't forget to give plenty of affection and praise to your star pupil.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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