Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:38 am Post subject: I walk my dog with a...................
check chain. I have always been to training classes since Tia was a 12 week pup and told from the start to use a basic collar and lead. I was also shown how to improve lead walking, many times. But as she got bigger and bigger she became stronger and more enthusiastic for walks and introducing herself to other dogs. I do stay calm but she jumped all over other dogs and because of her sheer strength over me I could not stop her. All training goes out of the window.
I started gundog traiining (stage 1) with her a few weeks ago, and of course they used slip leads which left me with wicked burns on the first lesson (five new dogs and a very excited Tia). He recommendeed a check chain. NOOOOO I hear you all say. She is doing really well, she now trots beside me, even when we first set out and before she has been off lead, we do sometimes have to walk back a few steps when she is getting ahead of herself. She now does not lunge towards other dogs and she knows it is not worth her while and the chain will tighten. I can't see that a few checks on the chain a week compared to pulling constantly with collar can be any worse for her, the walks are far more enjoyable and she still looks forward to having her check chain on so it can't be all that bad, can it? Does anyone else use them?
Yes, I do (although I generally stick to slip leads until 6 months) - and TBH - I would NEVER go back - used correctly personally I think they are brilliant.
95% of the time, mine walk with them like they are medallions hanging off their neck and are easily corrected if needed. Zac can still be a bit challenging at times, (typical adolescent male) but hopefully we are getting there.
I switched not long before getting number 3, Hally, trainable in almost any way has always been a nightmare to walk, and it hit me like a bullet I had to sort it out - so I paid for a one on one training session with a local trainer and initially I wasn't keen - but used correctly, they give you considerably more control and the dogs learn very quickly - and love them - they pick their leads up and walk around the house with them when they know they are going out
Well I've never seen any difference between a Check Chain and a Slip Lead, apart from the noise a chain makes. I would say that a chain is probably better, as at least the dog hears the noise of it tightening before it gets the "squeeze", giving it a chance to stop before it gets that far.
Got to say though, I tried one on my Collie and she just pulled all the more. It was as if it was a battle of wills between her and the chain and I had to stop using it, as she used to go blue round her mouth and tongue. So the theory that the dog learns not to pull to avoid the tightening is seriously flawed and I feel check chains don't suit all dogs or owners.
So the theory that the dog learns not to pull to avoid the tightening is seriously flawed and I feel check chains don't suit all dogs or owners.
I agree they don't suit all dogs or owners, and used incorrectly they can damage the dog
Used correctly to 'check', and not enabling the dog to pull (i.e. you correct and change direction) and continue doing this until the dog stops pulling, they should never get to that position.
The first time out on one many people don't get beyond the end of their street - they should never be able to remain continously tight even for seconds - their purpose is 'checking' not 'choking'
Used correctly to 'check', and not enabling the dog to pull (i.e. you correct and change direction) and continue doing this until the dog stops pulling, they should never get to that position.
That's where I went wrong Sue. Lottie was a seriously confirmed puller by the time I tried the check chain. There was never the opportunity to Check her because as soon as I picked up the lead she was already at the end of it pulling like a steam train. She was a nightmare on lead, even on a halti she pulled, she just pulled with her head turned to one side instead. Strange considering she walked to heel beautifully when off lead without me even asking her, in fact I would have to send her away from my leg to go and play because otherwise she was glued to me. She just had a "thing" about leads...but then she was a nutty Collie not a Lab and I'm sure they are wired up differently some how.
but then she was a nutty Collie not a Lab and I'm sure they are wired up differently some how.
They most certainly are Jules
Jess my BC when she was younger was a terrible puller, I tried a check chain and all it did was make her mouth & tongue turn blue, just like your Lottie. Didn't matter what I tried with correcting and changing direction etc. I went for a Halti in the end and lots of training with it which worked.
I am so glad I am not the only one using them. Most of the time Tia walks with it as though its a necklace hanging around her neck, but she does have her testing moments. But then she is eleven months and every so often does goes back to her puppy brain.
I went for a Halti in the end and lots of training with it which worked.
I tried the Halti but they were a very new invention then and I think the way they fit has probably been improved over the years. I gave up using it after only a few short sessions as she could get the thing off in the blink of an eye and if I did it up tight enough to stop that, it rubbed her right under the eyes....and she still pulled . Sent to try me that one was....but oh boy did I learn a lot from her.
You're definitely not the only one!!
I always keep my mouth shut when threads on LF mention "thos horrible choke chains" because they're NOT "choke" chains, they are check chains, and used properly they are fab.
I've used them all my life and truly believe that in the right hands they are a great tool - but equally they shouldn't be used without instruction on correct use and they're not right for all dogs.
But I'd be happy to join the "I use a check chain and I'm not a monster" club
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