Choke collar lenght?

Hi folks, I,m looking to replace my pups 20" choke collar which is becoming too small with a new one. My Labrador is 8 1/2 months old and has tapered off growing but not done. So I was wondering what size I should buy? Should I buy a loose fitting or tight fitting. I'm aware of how they work meaning they need to be loose enough to operate correctly. Is there a general rule for length of slack? His original 20" collar is a slide fit over his head and I estimate his neck to be 18-19 inches.
I noticed in Mike Lardy's TRT basic training DVD he uses a fairly loose choke collar. However he's Mike Lardy and his pups probably don't need a collar :scream:
Also would a thicker chain say 1/2" be more beifcial then a thiner one say 5/16"?

Thanks for you time.

how much do you rely on the actual choking? e.g. once in a while during training or constantly when the dog is on the leash.
have you thought about an e-collar instead? I would think at 8.5 month, weight would not be an issue and depending on the training so far the majority of dogs should have gained a basic understanding of what is requested of them.

I rely on the choker for the occasional correction while on lead... my pup is fully e collar conditioned and at this stage of training I use both sources of pressure.

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Originally Posted by G note

Hi folks, I,m looking to replace my pups 20" choke collar which is becoming too small with a new one. My Labrador is 8 1/2 months old and has tapered off growing but not done. So I was wondering what size I should buy? Should I buy a loose fitting or tight fitting. I'm aware of how they work meaning they need to be loose enough to operate correctly. Is there a general rule for length of slack? His original 20" collar is a slide fit over his head and I estimate his neck to be 18-19 inches.
I noticed in Mike Lardy's TRT basic training DVD he uses a fairly loose choke collar. However he's Mike Lardy and his pups probably don't need a collar :scream:
Also would a thicker chain say 1/2" be more beifcial then a thiner one say 5/16"?

Thanks for you time.

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I've never used a choke chain /collar, but seems to me that a thicker one would be better. Can't a thin one damage the throat? For heeling training, I use a cane that occasionally slips over to the left and taps the pup on the nose. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by G note

Hi folks, I,m looking to replace my pups 20" choke collar which is becoming too small with a new one. My Labrador is 8 1/2 months old and has tapered off growing but not done. So I was wondering what size I should buy? Should I buy a loose fitting or tight fitting. I'm aware of how they work meaning they need to be loose enough to operate correctly. Is there a general rule for length of slack? His original 20" collar is a slide fit over his head and I estimate his neck to be 18-19 inches.
I noticed in Mike Lardy's TRT basic training DVD he uses a fairly loose choke collar. However he's Mike Lardy and his pups probably don't need a collar :scream:
Also would a thicker chain say 1/2" be more beifcial then a thiner one say 5/16"?

Thanks for you time.

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http://leerburg.com/746.htm

No choke chains pinch collar you will get better responce with less corection and wont do any harm to your dog that may show up later in the dogs life I have a dog that I bought as a started dog she was 10 months old had alot of preasure put on her young and now at 12 has throat issues I swear were caused by heavy use of a choke chain during OB]

I second the pinch collar. Choke chains have shown to do damage to the larynx if a correction has been made too extreme. Some will criticize the prongs as being in human, but they are the same folks that condemn electric collars and in reality do not even own a dog!

Dick

You will get better results with this than a choke or pinch collar.

http://www.gundogsupply.com/wonleadbydel.html

Proper use of a choke collar should be a part of training in every young dog. Eventually the e-collar replaces a choke and lead.
I always have a choke on the dog when doing wagon wheel, whether the dog is young or old.
I see no reason for most people to use any other type of choke, if the use of a choke chain is understood.

I like the choke collar as well if used correctly and pinch collar. My Springer responded best to a pinch collar early on in her training and has transitioned to just a lead with a loop on the end. In fact I really no longer need a lead she walks beside me . My lab pup is pretty much at the same level.