Let us look at the two sides of the argument.
Can using a choke chain be a valuable training aid?
- Make sure it fits properly whether it is a chain or a prong collar.
The collar needs to be about 5 to 6 cm longer than the distance round the dog's neck, measure a couple of centimetres behind the ears. - The chain should be slipped over your dog's head and fit comfortably behind the ears with the loose ring closest to the handler.
Make a loop out of the chain where one of the rings runs freely over the chain links.
Test it on your wrist pull it tight and then release - the loose ring should fall and loosen the chain, if it does not the chain is on upside down, turn it the other way when putting it on your dog. - A short tug and release should tighten and then loose the chain round your dog's neck.
It is like you telling your dog to pay attention to you. - Never leave a choke chain on our dog if you are not attached to the other end of the lead.
It can very easily become caught and choke your dog if caught on something.
- You are forcing your dog to do what you want; it is much better to get you dog to do what you want be positive means.
- Mistakes can be made by putting the chain on the wrong way round and just choking your dog and never releasing the tension mean you dog is always uncomfortable.
- It is very negative - you are trying to stop the dog doing something that is wrong but you are never telling the dog what is right and what it should be doing.
- It is simply cruel and inhumane and should never be used.
Using positive methods of training both you and your dog will develop a close bond based on mutual respect and therefore more will be achieved in your training.
There may be some extreme and rare cases, where there are grounds for considering using a choke chain of some kind.
You should never say never to anything but in my mind it is very close to never.