Choke collars are a useful tool for training large dogs. They put increasing pressure on a dog's throat if it tries to resist or disobey a command, but an owner can quickly loosen the collar at the first sign of compliance. The key is proper fit. The collar should fit snugly, but not so tight that it's hard to put on. Too loose, though, and the collar is liable to slip over the dog's head.
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Fitting and Proper Placement
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Seek training from trainer or dog handler about the proper use of a choke collar. Dogs can get hurt with improperly placed choke collars. Start your puppy on a regular collar at about 8 weeks old, then measure your puppy at 14 weeks for a choke collar. Take a tape measure or bit of string and wrap it around your dog's neck. Add to that length by 2 or 3 inches for a good fit. This will give you a rough idea of how many links you should loop through one ring of the choke collar. Slip one ring through another to create a loop to put around the dog's neck. It should form a horizontal "P" shape when you hold it in front of the dog's neck. Put the dog's head through the loop. The ring with both strands of the chain passing through it should rest on the top of the dog's neck. A loop under the dog's neck will not loosen, and the animal will strongly resist the constant pressure on its throat. Give the choke collar a test tug. It should immediately tighten with pressure and then loosen when you ease your grip. If the chain intersection is under the dog's neck or doesn't tighten, take it off the dog's head, and correct the problem.
Training With Choke Collars
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Choke collars should not be used on small dogs or animals with respiratory problems. Consider a halter collar if your dog continues to pull away while wearing a choke collar. The halter collar fits over the dog's muzzle and actually gives you more control over the dog than a choke collar. Invest in a high-quality collar that will not break at a critical training moment. If the choke collar does break, don't panic. Act as though the collar is still attached to fool the dog, then quickly grab hold of the animal. Keep the extra links of the choke collar, so you can increase the size of the collar as your puppy grows.
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