| THE CHOKE-CHAIN CONTROVERSY |
| Avid, afraid dog owners suddenly take up against the choke chain...but why? I myself have a choke chain for my dog Blackie, who pulled like crazy on a leash. Suddenly, she doesn't because of this miraculous collar. Yet I too am aware of the dangers of a choke collar. That is why I only put it on her when I can watch what she's doing, on a leash, in the house, or out for a stroll. Some people however abuse it, by leaving it on the dog 24/7. The dog could get tangled somewhere and then die, and I have a true example. EX: My grandmother had a beautiful collie that was never permitted in the house. It lived nicely on a chain for the longest time and then one morning was found dead, attached to a choke collar that my grandfather put on her the evening before..so I give pros and cons to this. PRO: Gives annoyed dog owners a chance to walk their dogs in peace and makes for easier training Con: If the dog still pulls too hard on the lead, it could choke as a result of the collar digging into its trachea. PRO: Easily slips on and off for dogs on the go, like show dogs Con: If left unattended in the car while wearing this collar, it could get stuck on something and kill the dog. PRO: Lasts longer than a nylon collar if properly cared for because of less usage. Con: If left in the rain, it will rust. PRO: Is frequently used by rescues and shelters to walk dogs because of it easy off/on ability Con: Because the dogs are not excersized as needed, they will tend to pull on a lead more To me, Choke collars are great if used properly. But it is up to the dog owner to decide if they want one for their pets safety and health! |
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