Choke chains are not meant to be used to apply pressure, all you're supposed to do is pop it slightly just to make the noise. They're not supposed to be use to train a dog not to pull.

Aussie, it's still damaging to use it that way. You're quickly applying hard pressure on the dog's trachea. It would be better if it were a martingale or a prong collar, where the pressure is evenly distributed throughout the whole collar.. but a choke chain applies pressure on the opposite side of the dog only.. which is usually the trachea because the dog is being trained not to pull.<br /> <br /> My thoughts? Choke chains shouldn't be sold.

Choke chains are fine as long as you use them right! You are not supposed to hold your dog back with it. If you need to do that, i would recomend a normal old collar & leash. <br /> Choke Chains can be a great obedience training tool. You are supposed to use it as something the dog hears when it gets out of line... all you do you gently pull on the chain to make it "snap" a couple of times, then release. It is just like saying "No"<br /> <br /> They are not to be used as a rope to tie your dog up. I have never heard of them hurting any dogs & it certainly is NOT inhumane as long as you use it right!<br /> <br /> I hope this helps!

Choke chains are extremely dangerous, I recommend using a prong collar instead.<br /> A lot of people will say "no way! They stab holes in the dog's neck!"<br /> <br /> When used properly, no they dont. There are also no cases of a dog strangling itself/causing trachea damage/killing itself with a prong... but there are with choke chains.

I use a choke chain on my dog because when she sees other dogs she likes to run at them full speed to "Play." Her version of playing involves jumped and pushing. So we just pull back and she feels it on her throat and she stops. She doesn't have any marks and she doesn't squeal or anything so I'm guessing it doesn't hurt her. It is really efficient.

From my experiences,they are safe when fastened and used correctly.

Also they can still pant and drink and do other things, just protects things from their teeth. We used them for our sheep at show where they had ceder chips for the pen flooring...

I'd suggest a cage muzzle as well. We used those for our Greyhounds whenever they went to the rescue to run (they had a huge field). They give you the protection of a muzzle without making your dog look really menacing. And when the dogs got into fights, the worst that happened was that they banged muzzles and didn't do any damage!

If someone was to get a muzzle for a dog like yours Al i would suggest a cage muzzle over the muzzle used a the vet offices to prevent bites that holds the mouth mostly shut (there's usually enough room even in a snug fitting one to get a tongue out but we never leave them on long term because the can't properly pant)

Oddly enough, we were never fond of muzzles. We're perfectly fine with the choke collars, but muzzles are a different story. <br /> <br /> We don't take her out as often now because her joints are becoming worse and she doesn't want to walk as much. So I don't even know if getting one now is worth it seeing as how soon she's going to lose all ability to even walk it seems -.-