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Half Check Chains

Posted August 27th, 2007 by flytiki99
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I'm a great believer in positive reinforcement and it is the only training I teach. Obviously very against the use of choke chains, where I work choke chains are not allowed but half checks are. I was wondering what other people's opinions of these are? I am against them too as they are still a corrective mechanism. Recently I've found that a fellow trainer, who also practices +ve reinforcement has her dog wearing a half check! Plus a friend who also practises it has her dog in one. As far as I'm concerned positive reinforcement and half checks conflict, what does everyone else think?

Comments

What is it?

On August 27th, 2007 urbandawgy says:

I'm not sure what a half check chain is. It brings to mind a martingale with a chain. I have seen these but never used as a "check chain". Or do you mean any martingale type collar?

Different names!!!

On August 27th, 2007 flytiki99 says:

Aah I don't know what a martingale is! A check/choke chain is basically a chain that slips through a loop so that when you check the dog it tightens around the neck, the more you pull the more it tightens. A half check is this but attached between ends of non chains which ensures it tightens but only a small amount. Whats a martingale?

Martingale, half-check

Aidan's picture
On August 27th, 2007 Aidan says:

A Martingale and a half-check on dogs are the same piece of equipment, at least where I live. (Horse riders might be confused though, a Martingale is something different on a horse).

I use a Martingale on Sabella. When she was far more aggressive she would easily slip a flat collar, and all the harnesses I could find had plastic clips which she could have broken. I set up a heavy Martingale to adjust tightly enough that she couldn't escape. I still use it now as a "belt and braces" safety measure.

You can set them up tightly enough to "choke", and many dogs will find this aversive. Of course, you don't have to set them up that tightly. I doubt I've ever even accidentally corrected Sabella with her Martingale, it simply cannot tighten that much.

I don't think the equipment you use defines your training style, but how you use that equipment.

There are clicker trainers in Schutzhund (IPO) who use check chains because they have to. They don't use them for corrections. Before there were better alternatives, some people even used remote collars set to the lowest level as a conditioned reinforcer!

I've recomended Martingale collars to owners of dogs with narrow heads (relative to their neck), particularly if the dog is strong enough to break the clips on a harness. The heavy Prestige martingale collar I use with Sabella is the only collar I would have trusted with her in the early days.

Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com

half check chains or martingale collars

On September 5th, 2007 sheltiepap says:

I use these collars on all my dogs for walking and when we are competing in agility. I use them to keep my dogs safer. My sheltie can "back out" of any other collar. I have them adjusted loose enough to easily slip over the dogs head but tight enough that the dog cannot "back out" of them. I travel a lot with my dogs to agility trials and do not want to chance them getting startled by something and getting away from me. Some of the pet walk areas along the interstate highways are very close to the highway. These collars are also easy to remove before an agility run (my dogs run naked) and easy to place back on the dog afterward. My dogs do not wear them all the time - they could be dangerous if they got caught on something just like a choke chain. I have 4 dogs and each has a different color leash and martingale collar that is adjusted for that dog. I never unclip the collar from the leash. These collars have been a great tool for my pack. Linda

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