Half check collars

[MaryAnne]

Hi Everyone,
My trainer suggested that a half check collar may be good for Lola. I  understand how they are used in training when walking to heel but can anyone tell me are they supposed to be used as a normal collar or just for walks ?Are they safe to be left on without a lead?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks MA

[KellyS]

I use them all the time on my dogs and we have done for years never had any probs they are good aswell because they are fully adjustable and you can just slip them on and off without having to keep undoing buckles.  I don't leave them or collars on all the time. The only time they have anything on is if they are out walking, offlead or in the car.

[cdpops]

My (ex) trainer told me this too! But they are not good to use and damage your dogs throat and windpipe, particularly if she pulls. you are better with an ordinary collar or a harness.
Claire

[Cazzie]

I think if your dog pulls, any collar will choke them. I know from expericence the half check collars are great as I have used them for safety more than anything as a dog cant slip out of them 

[KellyS]

 Piffle  As I said I have used them for years - no damaged throats or windpipes here I can assure you! Personally I'm not a harness lover or of any of the other various contraptions available on the pet market these days... each to there own though

[Cob-Web]

A half-check collar is an aversive training tool and should be used under the supervision or instruction of an experienced dog trainer/handler    If you have been advised to use one, then the trainer should explain clearly their use and the benefits and risks.

Personally, I think there are kinder ways to train my dog, and I enjoy a challenge, so don't use aversives in training 

[cdpops]

It was my behaviourist who told me this, Charlies eyes used to always be red and as soon as I stopped using it his eyes stopped getting so red, glad others have found them useful.

[Michele]

I have used a half check on Neneh for all of her life (nearly 9) and she has never hurt her windpipe either.

What I will say though is if you are going to use one it must be fitted correctly, which is that when the chain part is pulled taut the webbing part of the collar should meet. Any tighter than that and the chain will pinch the neck.

[Michele]

A half-check collar is an aversive training tool and should be used under the supervision or instruction of an experienced dog trainer/handler    If you have been advised to use one, then the trainer should explain clearly their use and the benefits and risks.

Personally, I think there are kinder ways to train my dog, and I enjoy a challenge, so don't use aversives in training 

Horses for courses Rachel!

With Neneh I never had to 'check' her, she would just hear the chink of the chain and that was enough. With Halle it would have been of no use whatsoever, she pulls like a train in anything you try her with, including a sporn harness.

[Cob-Web]

A half-check collar is an aversive training tool and should be used under the supervision or instruction of an experienced dog trainer/handler    If you have been advised to use one, then the trainer should explain clearly their use and the benefits and risks.

Personally, I think there are kinder ways to train my dog, and I enjoy a challenge, so don't use aversives in training 

Horses for courses Rachel!

Definitely - but if a trainer is going to recommend the use of any training tool, then they should explain its use, imo and not expect the student to find out for themselves 

[KellyS]

A half-check collar is an aversive training tool

Perhaps they had better start putting warnings on the packets in the petshops

I think people should really try to train/put more effort into training their dogs to walk on a collar and lead rather than resort to harnesses, haltis and other contraptions for a quick fix Sorry to those of you that use these things but they are not for me.

[cdpops]

A half-check collar is an aversive training tool

Perhaps they had better start putting warnings on the packets in the petshops

I think people should really try to train/put more effort into training their dogs to walk on a collar and lead rather than resort to harnesses, haltis and other contraptions for a quick fix Sorry to those of you that use these things but they are not for me.

I agree with this, but it's what you use whilst you train. I have spent hours training with Charlie, but he had to wear something when he was training! He now walk lovely unless there is water or other areas of high excitement, I continue to work on these 

[Cob-Web]

I think people should really try to train/put more effort into training their dogs to walk on a collar and lead rather than resort to harnesses, haltis and other contraptions for a quick fix Sorry to those of you that use these things but they are not for me.

What is the difference between a half-check collar (which is a training tool, not a normal collar) and a training harness?  Just because a check collar has been around for longer than the newer "contraptions", they are all designed to assist in the training process 

[Jan/Billy]

I think people should really try to train/put more effort into training their dogs to walk on a collar and lead rather than resort to harnesses, haltis and other contraptions for a quick fix Sorry to those of you that use these things but they are not for me.

What is the difference between a half-check collar (which is a training tool, not a normal collar) and a training harness?  Just because a check collar has been around for longer than the newer "contraptions", they are all designed to assist in the training process 

Completely agree!

Not a fan of the check collar at all. I have used one in the past, sold to me by a trainer, but never would again.

[KellyS]

You certainley get out what you put in and if a harness works for you then thats great...but you hear all to often people saying they can't stop their dog pulling on the lead and instead of persevering they go out and buy a harness or the like and so on and so on. I  personally don't think that harnesses are good to teach a dog to stop pulling and walk correctly I also think they can affect a dogs conformation and head carriage as does pulling but thats another story.