When I wrote about why we never leave home without Murph’s choke chain, I mentioned a recent incident where I ran across someone who took exception to my using a choke chain on Murph. It’s not the first time it’s happened.
I wasn’t always key on the idea of a choke chain myself. I remember thinking, “Wow. That seems like kind of a mean way to discipline a dog.”
But that’s before my neighbor shared a video with me where a guy gave a great explanation on how to use a choke chain humanely. (Unfortunately I don’t remember either the trainer’s name from the video or the name of the video or I would share that.)
However, I do remember the prime lesson from the video: choke chains will not hurt your dog if they’re used properly.
Picking a Choke Chain
They also go by other names, such as slip collars or chokers. I use the old-fashioned chain-link variety, but they’re also made from nylon or leather.
You’ll want to measure your dog’s neck and pick a size the same way you would for fitting his collar.
Preparing the Choke Chain for Use
Because choke chains have O rings on each end of the collar, I was befuddled how to even use it until I watched the video. The trainer explained how you pinch one end together (the picture on the left below demonstrates), then pull it through the other O ring to create the loop to put over your dog’s head (the picture on the right).
The Most ImPortant Part: Make a “P”
This is the most important part of using a choke chain properly. Make sure the loop you’ve formed is in the shape of a P before slipping your dog’s head through.
Why?
Because the chain adjusts itself this way. When the dog isn’t pulling the collar’s relaxed around his throat. It only constricts when you pull on his lead. If you put it on “backwards” (meaning a reverse P), the chain will stay tight and only get tighter when you tug on the lead.
Left: P for Proper; Right: The cat toys mark the X “NO!” spot!
This is what many people associate negatively with choke chains and why they are considered dangerous. Dogs can (and have) choked to death because of chokers put on wrong. If put on backwards, there’s no way to relieve the tension. It just stays tight. Not so if you Put it on with the P in mind.
Choke Chains for Training and Walks ONLY!
Even if you put the choker on correctly, don’t leave it on as you would with the everyday collar. There have been many a story about a dog strangling itself to death or breaking its own neck because the choke chain got snagged on something and they weren’t able to free themselves.
Murph’s choker only stays attached to his leash and always comes off after walks.
Courtney Mroch writes about animals great and small in Pets and the harmony and strife that encompasses married life in Marriage. For a full listing of her articles click here.
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