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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Am I right to abandon the choke chain?

34 replies

allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 12:02

We are adopting a dog this afternoon. The family who she has been living with can't keep her any more.

I went to meet the dog earlier, and noticed that she wore one of those metal link chain collars - a 'choke chain' that strangles the dog if she pulls. The woman said that as the dog is so young and excitable she has found it necessary to use one for fear of losing her when out walking.

I have never used one but they seem dreadful to me. I have picked up a harness and plan to put her in that when I pick her up later.

Is this the right thing to do, do you think?

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malinois · 27/09/2011 12:07

It's certainly the right thing to abandon the choke chain - horrible things. However a harness will just let the dog pull harder - that's why sled huskies wear them!

Get a Gentle Leader halter instead, and work on training.

GrimmaTheNome · 27/09/2011 12:15

Yes, you're right.

What size of dog is she? What type- - I'm just being nosy, not helpful here

Glad she's finding a good new home - good luck!

allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 12:20

Unfortunately I won't be able to get a Gentle Leader halter - that sort of thing isn't available here (we are not in UK). I will see if I can get one brought out from UK. In the mean time I'll have to see how the halter goes - I don't think she's terribly strong, it's more a fear of her dancing and wriggling and slipping her collar.

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allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 12:23

She's a complete mix. I'd say there was a fair bit of Saluki in her, but who knows what else! She is rather beautiful :) She is 9 months old, and a whirl of flying limbs and clumsy puppy in a grown dog's body! She is also very mouthy.

I had planned to get an older, smaller, calmer dog. But well... she needs a home, and we can give her a home...

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malinois · 27/09/2011 12:25

allhail where are you? You can get a Gentle Leader on Amazon and they deliver worldwide.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 27/09/2011 12:26

For a sight hound you really need a martingale, see here. This is just the first site I found, as am in a rush.

I shudder at the thought of a choke chain being used on a long slender neck like that.

SouthernandCross · 27/09/2011 12:27

Oh god, don't use a choke chain on a saluki cross ( or any other dog!). I have a saluki/ greyhound cross and she's lovely on a lead now she's two. But when younger it was a bit like walking a Kangaroo. She is beautiful but a bit thick and a terrible thief. Good luck!

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 27/09/2011 12:28

Hard to say as I haven't seen her, but if she does look very saluki/sighthound ish, then I wouldn't use a head collar of any sort, though a correctly fitted harness might be useful.

allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 12:32

Amazon may deliver, but I still won't get the package! I'm in Oman and everything mysteriously goes missing in the "postal service" here . I have some friends visiting from UK in a few weeks time. I will Amazon some things to them and they can bring them out.

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allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 12:35

I've always used treat training in the past to learn polite walking both on and off lead, but then I've always had Labradors so it's easily done!

I do wonder though that as she is so mouthy it might well work for her too. Earlier today she was skittering along next to me mouthing my hand as I walked out to my car.

We'll just have to see how we go I guess.

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allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 12:36

She looks a lot like this though smaller, shorter and slighter. VERY butterfly ears!

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GrimmaTheNome · 27/09/2011 12:44

Oh, if she's like that she's gorgeous!

I'm not an expert but I'd have thought a harness would be useful to start with for that sort of dog, and then the 'martingale' (I didn't know that's what they were called) when she's more trained.

EggyAllenPoe · 27/09/2011 12:47

i would try and deal with the pulling through training e.g. stopping completely when dog pulls, rather than a different lead, holding treats slightly behind you as you walk, etc etc..

i don't like halty/ harnesses after having a dog (admittedly a much stronger dog than a saluki) pull so hard and so continuously they developed sores under the harness straps. No doubt it works for some people though.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 27/09/2011 12:50

Salukis are very mental, I cannot recommend enough joining a sighthound or Saluki forum when you will be able to get loads of breed specific advice.

She will not train anything like a lab.

After owning lots of different breed and training them all relatively easily, I got a whippet last year and initially nearly had a nervous breakdown tring to teach him anything

The main difference is she will have no desire to please you whatsoever, all sighthounds are highly independent and self serving, you just need to get creative in your thinking, but you are right about using poitive rewards it is still the correct way to go.

I you have someone visiting you from the UK, maybe get them to get you a collar from here which is what you really need.

Good luck with her, I hope she brings you many years of joy.

allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 12:51

I will be sure to keep a careful eye on any rubbing from the harness. Good point.

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WhereTheWildThingsWere · 27/09/2011 12:53

Forgot to add if you wanted to go down the harness route, which are idea for sighthounds, then this site is excellent.

allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 12:55

Oh blimey WTWTA. What have I let myself in for?

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WhereTheWildThingsWere · 27/09/2011 12:58

Lots and lots of fun and games

They are also deeply affectionate, loyal and hilarious.

You'll be fine

SouthernandCross · 27/09/2011 13:06

They aren't entirely dumb. Here's mine on her iPad.

allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 13:33

I have a hard enough time wrestling my 3 and 5yo for the ipad. Don't tell me the dog's going to be taking turns too!

I have just been reading Hyperbole and a half. I like how she writes about her dogs. At least it won't be that bad.

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allhailtheaubergine · 27/09/2011 13:37

Your dog is beautiful btw S&C :)

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CurlyCasper · 27/09/2011 13:43

I feel for you allhail. I went from a lifetime of Lab ownership and training to a rescued lurcher. It's a completely different experience. The only thing that motivates my girl is fast moving small furries! So I wish you luck. Ours wears a greyhound collar (provided when we got her from Dogs Trust) and a slip lead for walks - that's one thing I kept the same from my Lab days. We had a harness at first and even the softer ones irritated under her "armpits" and made them raw. I would never use a choke chain.

You're going to have some adventures and laughs - and some lovely cuddles.

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SouthernandCross · 27/09/2011 13:53

CC I've never had a hound either. Always had collie/ GSD/doberman X's so it's been a steep curve for me too. Mine is highly motivated by small running things too but she has a favourite fluffy squeaky toy that she'll come for. She also comes when I click the catch on the lead as she knows this means 'walkies', even if we are already out walking.... Her recall isn't bad, maybe 90%? The first thing other lurcher owners ask me after 'is she saluki?' is 'Does she come back?'

CurlyCasper · 27/09/2011 14:08

we have about an 80% recall. Unfortunately the other 20 per cent often involves her running off for miles after hare (we are in a very rural area). But I've only had to alert Pet Log once . She came to us with mental health issues and after 3 years she is much more like a proper dog (in the beginning she didn't even know how to play with a ball). And I just love the affection you can get from sighthounds. And the fact that once they have had a good run, they will happily chill out for hours on end.

GetOrfMo1Land · 27/09/2011 14:12

What an absolutely beautiful dog S&C.

I want one.

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