Choke Chains Vs. Pinch Collars

Choke chains and pinch collars are two different types of training collars that you can use with a dog. Each of these collars presents its own benefits and drawbacks, and each is best intended for certain types of purposes. It is important to understand your options when you choose a training collar for a dog, weighing each option against the type and size of dog and what behaviors you are trying to train or correct. The wrong training collar, or a training collar used incorrectly, can produce the wrong results.

  1. Function

    • The basic function of both collars is the same. These training collars work to grab the attention of the dog by providing an unwanted stimulus. In the case of the choke chain, a tug on the leash tightens the collar around the neck, while the pinch or prong collar provides a sharp pinch of the skin with the same action. The primary difference between the two collars in terms of function is that the prong collar can only tighten enough to provide a pinch, while the choke chain can tighten to the point of cutting off the dog's ability to breathe.

    Safety

    • Safety is the largest concern when considering a choke chain or a pinch collar. Both collars are capable of providing a correction in training, but the pinch collar is a safer option because it can only tighten to a specific point. Choke chains are designed to tighten as far as they can when the leash is pulled, so a dog that is pulling hard on the leash can cause damage to its throat or hamper its ability to breathe. The pinch collar, on the other hand, has a limited slip amount. That means it can tighten enough to cause a pinch of the skin between the prongs, but cannot tighten any further, preventing harm to the dog.

    Training Capabilities

    • Both collars provide training capabilities because they provide what is known as a correction. When a dog misbehaves, such as pulling on the leash while walking, the trainer can sharply pull the leash, creating this correction. The pinch collar correction is more than enough correction to gain the dog's attention and incite the desired reaction, getting the dog to stop. The choke collar can cause harm to the dog before it stops pulling. The pinch collar has a menacing appearance because of its prongs, but only causes a pinch of the skin and does not dig into the dog's skin when being worn.

    Ease of Use

    • Another difficulty with choke chains or slip collars is that they can be put on incorrectly, which causes more problems when using them. If you put a choke chain on backward, it will not release once it has been tightened, and has to be released manually, otherwise it may choke the dog. A pinch or prong collar cannot be fitted backward. It will always release after a correction because of the nature of the "slip," which is the chain connecting the two ends of the collar together. This means that as long as a prong collar is properly sized, there is no danger of choking the dog.

    Warning

    • When using any type of training collar, it is of vital importance that you receive proper training in fitting and using the collar for the best results. All training collars, including martingale collars, prong collars and choke chains, must be fitted correctly in order for them to be safe and effective. Consult a veterinarian or a professional trainer to make sure that you are using your training collar correctly in order to best benefit your dog.