Preferred Method of Control

What is your preferred method of control when it comes to walking a dog? You can vote for more than one method, but once your vote is cast, you cannot amend it.

It'll be really interesting to see what people prefer. We're slip lead converts, which is essentially the same as a check collar (the P.C term for choke collar) but it looks 'kinder' so you don't get horrified looks in the park!

Soft collar chokes would be my first choice.. as they are a secure collar if fitted correctly for most breed of dogs-allowing you to have a controlled and confident walk without the fear of the dog escaping!!! wish i'd of heard of these collars a long time ago!

Could this vote be advertised on facebook? the fdr page? xx8) so we could get more people involved....possibly the ones who dont come on the forum but might after voting x

Love this Poll xx:D

Please someone correct me if I am wrong but when I first had Jess & she was very headstrong I was taught by our behaviourist & trainer at club how to walk her on a metal choke chain...I was under the impression that a metal choke is a training tool that has to be fitted correctly so that the dog walks to heel on the left or right ( Dave's instructions for Kaiser seem to confirm this ) I thought the whole point of giving the dogs volunteers to walk them, was for them to enjoy time out of their kennels & have lots of people socialisation can this be done on a choker as all the dogs I have walked love having a sniff in the hedges & a roll on the grass, not being made to walk to heel on the left or right in the only free time they get.

Hear! Hear! Sarah. Choke chains, in my PERSONAL view, have no place in dog training when there are so many other training aids that don't have the same detrimental effect on the dog's bone structure. If, however, a metal choke chain is used, it has to be fitted correctly and used in a very structured way. They are not for novice dog walkers. If fitted incorrectly (and it is extremely easy to do), the choke will not release when the dog pulls. PERSONALLY, I think choke chains should go in room 101.