WHY NO CHOKE CHAINS OR PRONG COLLARS
Please also click here for our Angel Paws Dog Training Position Statement
"AVSAB’s position is that punishment
(e.g. CHOKE CHAINS, PINCH COLLARS, AND ELECTRIC COLLARS)
should not be used as a first-line or early use treatment for behavior problems."
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is a group of veterinarians and research professionals who share an interest in understanding behavior in animals. Founded in 1976, AVSAB is committed to improving the quality of life of all animals and strengthening the bond between animals and their owners.
For more comprehensive information on this topic please see AVSAB Position Statements, meanwhile ...
If your dog pulls or is otherwise difficult to handle or slow to respond using only verbal cues you may be tempted to resort to the use of a choke chain or pinch collar (sometimes called a prong collar). A reputable canine trainer/behaviorist may even recommend, encourage or offer the option to use one of these collars. PLEASE DON'T!!! Especially not if you think you might ever have any interest in volunteering with your dog as a Therapy Dog (or even if not). Here's why... (Aside from the fact that Delta Society Pet Partners does not allow choke, slip, prong, or e-collars for safety reasons) ...
Journal of Veterinary Behavior Clinical Applications & Research
*** “They (choke, prong & e-collars) do not work the way people think they do, and there are better tools and understandings for accomplishing what people who use these seek to accomplish. Such tools ‘work’ by engendering fear, pain, and distrust, and in doing so they cause long-term damage that make dogs more reactive, less trusting, and less able to reach their full potential in their partnership with humans, no matter what form that partnership takes. These are not my opinions: these are the findings from the scientific literature, and this is an essential point. As a scientist I do not have the luxury of claiming that I am right because I have done something one way for years, nor do I have the ability to assert that a technique does not injure dogs when the evidence indicates otherwise. Science is about understanding patterns in how the world works and, as such, provides a methodology by which we can test claims and assertions. When these adversarial methods have been tested rigorously, they have been found wanting. ... 'Obedient' dogs can be quite distressed, and suffer from profound anxiety while complying with a request. ... A blind reliance on these methods is preventing handlers and trainers from having a partnership with science and scientists that would benefit both of them. The historic use of adversarial, coercive techniques no longer makes sense given what we now know about dog cognition and learning. We can do better. The canine handler teams that work best are those that best understand and trust each other. Anything that interferes with that trust and understanding is hurting the team."
- Karen Overall, Journal of Veterinary Behavior Clinical Applications & Research (2007)
*** “They (choke, prong & e-collars) do not work the way people think they do, and there are better tools and understandings for accomplishing what people who use these seek to accomplish. Such tools ‘work’ by engendering fear, pain, and distrust, and in doing so they cause long-term damage that make dogs more reactive, less trusting, and less able to reach their full potential in their partnership with humans, no matter what form that partnership takes. These are not my opinions: these are the findings from the scientific literature, and this is an essential point. As a scientist I do not have the luxury of claiming that I am right because I have done something one way for years, nor do I have the ability to assert that a technique does not injure dogs when the evidence indicates otherwise. Science is about understanding patterns in how the world works and, as such, provides a methodology by which we can test claims and assertions. When these adversarial methods have been tested rigorously, they have been found wanting. ... 'Obedient' dogs can be quite distressed, and suffer from profound anxiety while complying with a request. ... A blind reliance on these methods is preventing handlers and trainers from having a partnership with science and scientists that would benefit both of them. The historic use of adversarial, coercive techniques no longer makes sense given what we now know about dog cognition and learning. We can do better. The canine handler teams that work best are those that best understand and trust each other. Anything that interferes with that trust and understanding is hurting the team."
- Karen Overall, Journal of Veterinary Behavior Clinical Applications & Research (2007)
Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation
*** "Effective visiting process consists of handlers who appropriately present their dogs and dogs who appropriately receive the people being visited. Handlers must be familiar with ways to reward appropriate behaviors and redirect inappropriate behaviors of their dogs during visits without using noticeable techniques or corrections during visits. ... It is important to note that a dog’s perception can differ greatly from a human’s perception of the very same event. ... All the screening and training in the world will not prepare a dog for the challenges of intimacy and emotion encountered in visiting animal programs. ... Handler’s who protect their dogs from undo stress increase their dog’s confidence. Success breeds confidence and confidence encourages continued growth. A dog’s level of confidence in the handler is based both on their lifelong relationship and how the dog perceives the handler’s behavior in the moment."
- Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation
Although pinch, prong, choke or E-collars can be effective in controlling your dog it is a crutch and a short cut you may regret in the long run for a number of reasons.
#1 - You want your dog to respond to YOU (your verbal &/or visual cues) not his/her collar!
#2 - Timing is key in all training techniques but mistakes or ill timed corrections (either intended or by mistake) made with a pinch, choke or shock collar are often counterproductive or even harmful.
#3 - Dogs trained with aversive methods (avoiding something negative) have a greater tendancy to become aggressive, fearful or more easily intimidated in certain circumstances and often loose the more desired relaxed confident enthusiasm while still responding to upbeat verbal cues during greeting, interacting or even passing strangers and/or strange circumstances.
#4 - Prong or choke collars do nothing to teach a desired behavior.
#5 - Handlers using these collars often fail to develop the appropriate, consistent positive reinforcement habits necessary to effectively teach desired behaviors &/or to support and work with their dog in a variety of circumstances necessary for therapy dog work &/or comfortably transition to a regular collar.
#1 - You want your dog to respond to YOU (your verbal &/or visual cues) not his/her collar!
#2 - Timing is key in all training techniques but mistakes or ill timed corrections (either intended or by mistake) made with a pinch, choke or shock collar are often counterproductive or even harmful.
#3 - Dogs trained with aversive methods (avoiding something negative) have a greater tendancy to become aggressive, fearful or more easily intimidated in certain circumstances and often loose the more desired relaxed confident enthusiasm while still responding to upbeat verbal cues during greeting, interacting or even passing strangers and/or strange circumstances.
#4 - Prong or choke collars do nothing to teach a desired behavior.
#5 - Handlers using these collars often fail to develop the appropriate, consistent positive reinforcement habits necessary to effectively teach desired behaviors &/or to support and work with their dog in a variety of circumstances necessary for therapy dog work &/or comfortably transition to a regular collar.
You may read or hear a trainer state that a prong or pinch collar is similar to how a mother disciplines her pups with her mouth and teeth. (Please see veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lore Haug's Myth #9 about pinch collars on CANINE BEHAVIOR MYTHS at http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_2/features/Canine-Behavior-Myths_16004-1.html Dr. Haug: "It’s a little discouraging to think that people actually believe this myth. It would be silly if it weren’t so potentially damaging to the relationship and potentially dangerous as well. Prong collars work because the prongs pressing into the dog’s neck are uncomfortable at best, painful at worst. Because dogs will work to avoid pain and discomfort, the prong collar does work to stop a dog from pulling on the leash, and can shut down other undesirable behaviors as well, at least temporarily. However, like all training tools and techniques that are based on pain and intimidation, there is a significant risk of unintended consequences. In the case of the prong collar, the primary risk is that the dog will associate the pain with something in his environment at the time he feels it, and this can lead to aggression toward the mistakenly identified cause. A dog’s unmannerly, “I want to greet you” lunge toward another dog or person can turn into, “I want to eat you,” if he decides that the object of his attention is hurting him.")
Although this myth may seem to make sense it doesn't when you consider the common sense facts that:
#1 - A mother's mouth does not remain open with her teeth still in contact wrapped around her pups neck for a prolonged period of time!
#2 - Any action a mother may use similar to a prong collar is very brief, impeccably timed and over very quickly unlike the prong collar that stays on the dog with the prongs in contact with the dog's neck for prolonged periods of time - frequently pinching by mistake for unintended reasons even when the dog is behaving well.
#3- Unlike a cold, hard uncomfortable at best/painful at worst, metal prong collar a mother is also a puppies original source of warmth, nourishment and safety.
#4 - A mother rarely has a need to discipline her pups in any way remotely resembling a prong collar - more often than not a firm nudge with no teeth will do for a mother's purposes or gently carrying with the loose skin puppies have around their neck that generally only puppies have in abundance.
Many agree that the prong collar is actually better than the choke collar for 2 reasons;
#1 - The prong collar only tightens up to a certain degree unlike choke collars which tighten up indefinitely and has often been known to damage the trachea.
#2 - The prong collar leaves room between the prongs to allow free breathing unlike a choke chain.
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/Combined_Punishment_Statements.pdf
Please see our list of Recommended Dog Trainers to find a trainer to help you train your dog without the use of prong collars or choke chains and our Equipment page for a list of alternative acceptable equipment.
For MORE GREAT TRAINING TIPS please see: http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/ (see Behavior FAQ's on the left of the home page)
*** NOTE: If you are absolutely determined to use a prong, choke or E-collar &/or are already working with a trainer who recommends them please see the AVSAB Position Statement on How to Choose a Trainer which wisely states that: "punishment should only be used by a trainer who can fully explain the possible adverse effectsand instruct owners in one-on-one sessions how to perform the techniques correctly. (See AVSAB Punishment Position Statement) "If punishment is added to a modification plan, it should only be used if the owner has first demonstrated reasonable ability and consistency at rewarding appropriate behaviors and removing the reward for bad behavior. If punishment is suggested as part of a complete behavior modification plan, owners should not begin using it until they have ensured that the person helping them is able to articulate the major adverse effects of punishment, judge when these effects are occurring over the short term and long term, and can explain how they will reverse the adverse effects if they occur." Better yet, please see our Equipment page for other training alternatives and our list of Recommended Dog Trainers to find a trainer to help you train your dog without the use of prong, choke or E-collars.
Although this myth may seem to make sense it doesn't when you consider the common sense facts that:
#1 - A mother's mouth does not remain open with her teeth still in contact wrapped around her pups neck for a prolonged period of time!
#2 - Any action a mother may use similar to a prong collar is very brief, impeccably timed and over very quickly unlike the prong collar that stays on the dog with the prongs in contact with the dog's neck for prolonged periods of time - frequently pinching by mistake for unintended reasons even when the dog is behaving well.
#3- Unlike a cold, hard uncomfortable at best/painful at worst, metal prong collar a mother is also a puppies original source of warmth, nourishment and safety.
#4 - A mother rarely has a need to discipline her pups in any way remotely resembling a prong collar - more often than not a firm nudge with no teeth will do for a mother's purposes or gently carrying with the loose skin puppies have around their neck that generally only puppies have in abundance.
Many agree that the prong collar is actually better than the choke collar for 2 reasons;
#1 - The prong collar only tightens up to a certain degree unlike choke collars which tighten up indefinitely and has often been known to damage the trachea.
#2 - The prong collar leaves room between the prongs to allow free breathing unlike a choke chain.
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/Combined_Punishment_Statements.pdf
Please see our list of Recommended Dog Trainers to find a trainer to help you train your dog without the use of prong collars or choke chains and our Equipment page for a list of alternative acceptable equipment.
For MORE GREAT TRAINING TIPS please see: http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/ (see Behavior FAQ's on the left of the home page)
*** NOTE: If you are absolutely determined to use a prong, choke or E-collar &/or are already working with a trainer who recommends them please see the AVSAB Position Statement on How to Choose a Trainer which wisely states that: "punishment should only be used by a trainer who can fully explain the possible adverse effectsand instruct owners in one-on-one sessions how to perform the techniques correctly. (See AVSAB Punishment Position Statement) "If punishment is added to a modification plan, it should only be used if the owner has first demonstrated reasonable ability and consistency at rewarding appropriate behaviors and removing the reward for bad behavior. If punishment is suggested as part of a complete behavior modification plan, owners should not begin using it until they have ensured that the person helping them is able to articulate the major adverse effects of punishment, judge when these effects are occurring over the short term and long term, and can explain how they will reverse the adverse effects if they occur." Better yet, please see our Equipment page for other training alternatives and our list of Recommended Dog Trainers to find a trainer to help you train your dog without the use of prong, choke or E-collars.
THERAPY DOG TRAINING IS ON-GOING ... HOW WILL YOUR DOG PERCEIVE NEW EXPERIENCES ? ...
#1, "Uh, oh, I don't know what he/she wants? But based on past experience it's going to hurt or be uncomfortable until I figure it out."
OR ...
#2 - "Yay! I don't know what he/she wants! But based on past experience everytime I learn new things I get treats, toys or other things I love!
What's next? Bring it on!"
AMERICAN VETERINARY SOCIETY OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
POSITION STATEMENT ON THE USE OF PUNISHMENT FOR BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/Combined_Punishment_Statements.pdf
"AVSAB’s position is that punishment1 (e.g. CHOKE CHAINS, PINCH COLLARS, AND ELECTRIC COLLARS) should not be used as a first-line or early-use treatment for behavior problems. This is due to the potential adverse effects which include but are not limited to: inhibition of learning, increased fear-related and aggressive behaviors, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals. AVSAB recommends that training should focus on reinforcing desired behaviors, removing the reinforcer for inappropriate behaviors, and addressing the emotional state and environmental conditions driving the undesirable behavior. This approach promotes a better understanding of the pet’s behavior and better awareness of how humans may have inadvertently contributed to the development of the undesirable behavior. Punishment should only be used when the above approach has failed despite an adequate effort as part of a larger training or behavior modification program that incorporates reinforcement of appropriate behaviors and works to change the underlying cause of the problem behavior. AVSAB recognizes that both positive reinforcement and punishment require significant skill, effort, and awareness on the owner’s part. Both must be applied as the animal is performing the target behavior or within one second of the behavior to be most effective. Additionally, both work best when applied every time the behavior occurs so that the animal is not inadvertently rewarded for undesirable behavior during the modification process. IF punishment is added to a modification plan, it should ONLY be used if the owner has first demonstrated reasonable ability and consistency at rewarding appropriate behaviors and removing the reward for bad behavior. IF punishment is suggested as part of a complete behavior modification plan, owners should NOT begin using it until they have ensured that the person helping them is able to articulate the major adverse effects of punishment, judge when these effects are occurring over the short term and long term, and can explain how they will reverse the adverse effects if they occur."
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