Using Dog Training Collars
There is a distinction between training and control but this can be all too easily lost. Commands and hand gestures, along with the use of leashes and treats, to achieve a desired behaviour is training. Choke, halter or 'no-bark' collars are for control.
It's not that control is a bad thing. Dogs are natural pack animals and so seek a social structure where there is an alpha (leader), which in any human-dog relationship is the role the human must take. If this doesn't happen then the dog will become unruly, destructive and even aggressive.
Choke collars are designed to assist in gaining control. Dogs are individuals too. Some are simply naturally more assertive and will look to take any opportunity to rise up the social hierarchy of the pack. Basically, they want to be in control of your family!
For dogs that don't respond when using a normal leather or nylon collar, a metal choke collar can provide that extra discouragement from activities such as pulling or jumping up. However, the downside is that, used improperly - which it's all too easy to do - choke collars can be counter-productive and, more importantly, dangerous.
Choke collars fit only one way and should allow for a one to three finger gap between the neck of the dog and the collar. That's a three finger gap for larger dogs and a one finger gap for smaller dogs. Generally a collar should be two inches longer than the neck circumference.
If fitted and used improperly, choke collars can pinch the skin causing irritation and skin inflammation. The collars can also accidentally compress the trachea which can have potentially fatal results.
Choke collars are meant for an instantaneous pull-and-release action which isn't harmful but is, by design, uncomfortable for the dog. For dogs that have a tendency to pull against the leash this pull-and-release movement is difficult to do. And for smaller dogs the quick pull action tends to just pull them off their feet. For these reason choke collars are generally not recommended.
For desperate owners prong collars can look like an attractive idea, but they have almost no positive characteristics and are banned in parts of Australia. A prong collar may have a limited diameter which means they can only close down so far but they have little else going for them. Any dog that has such a strong tendency to pull that a prong collar look like an attractive remedy really needs more than a quick fix of choking and neck pinching. You need to get professional help to modify your dog's behaviour.
Halter collars come in various incarnations but basically wrap around the neck and the muzzle. They give extra control but don't prevent panting or impair the ability to drink. They are designed to make it difficult for the dog to actually pull against the leash.
'No-bark' collars are for those dogs that continue barking long after the initial impetus is gone or bark at the slightest provocation, which can make them extremely irritating for you to live with and a nuisance to your neighbours.
These electronic collars that discourage barking come in three types: noise, smell and shock. Noise collars produce a short, unpleasant sound that distracts and hopefully discourages continued barking. The smell collars work much the same only a strong scent is released as the distraction.
Shock collars do what you'd expect. They generate a short but painful electric shock when the dog barks. These shocks can be repeated and lengthy where prolonged or persistent barking is involved. They can cause an animal great distress and they don't always stop the barking. Steps are already being taking to restrict or even ban these types of collars within the UK.
It can be tempting to go for quick fixes and it's not to say that some control collars have their place but think carefully before using them and seek professional advice rather than take drastic measures if the problems seems too bad for you to handle. You want be a sane owner and a happier dog.