How Does a Choke Collar Work?

Choke Collars Must be Properly Fitted

Choke collars, or training collars, work best when they are fitted properly to the size of your dog's neck and head. It should be snug, but not uncomfortable. It should not be able to slip off the dog's head, but you should be able to slide one or two fingers underneath it easily. It should also not be too long. Measure your dog's neck with a tape measure used for sewing (they are flexible), then add one or two inches; two for large breed dogs.

Choke Collars Must be Positioned Correctly

When you put the choke collar on the dog, you need to make sure that the ring is on the top of the dog's neck, not under it. This ring is called the "live ring", and it is what you connect the leash to. If the ring is not on top, the collar will not work properly--it will tighten, but not loosen--and the dog will strain against it, or worse, try to chew it or fight it, sometimes causing the dog to gag or vomit.

Choke Collars Must be Used Properly

Choke collars work by becoming tight when the leash is quickly yanked, then becoming loose again when the leash is released. This should be done with a quick jerk, but not a hard one. This should be done when you are correcting the dog's behavior. A hard, quick tug on the collar will tighten, then loosen it, which brings the dog back to how he should be behaving. Be sure to release the tension quickly, and yell or say "No!" in a firm voice. If you do not release the tension quickly, you will choke your dog, not correct him.

Resources

• Dog training tips from a large dog training company