Understanding Dog Training Collar Injuries

It is vitally important that you train your dog when it is young to obey commands and not to be a general nuisance for other people, and for this reason a dog training collar is often used for such purposes. However, it is possible to injure a dog by using training collars ineffectively or overzealously. They are never to be used as a means of punishment or violent reaction to a dog's mistake. Unfortunately, that is precisely the type of use they often get.

Possible Injuries to Dogs

Choke chains are perhaps most responsible for unnecessary dog injuries. Choke chains work on very large dogs with thick necks that won't be easily damaged and should only be used when you need to get quick control of the animal. That being said, excessive choke chain use can lead to long term injuries for your dog. They include: tracheal and/or esophageal damage, sprained necks, foreleg paralysis, laryngeal nerve paralysis and hind leg ataxia.

Tracheal and Esophageal Damage

By punishing behavior with a choke chain, not only are you not leaving your dog with positive reinforcement, you could permanently damage their trachea and/or esophagus. Consistent yanking on a choke chain as a means of training does little else than make them afraid.

Sprained Necks

Spraining the muscles of the dog's neck is another lasting impression made by choke chains. Too many well-meaning dog owners think they are training their dog when in reality they are inflicting severe psychological damage to them.

Foreleg Paralysis

Persistent use of the choke chain can also can lasting damage to the forelegs of the animal. Transient foreleg paralysis, as it is known, is caused by damage to the nerves that run to the forelegs.

Laryngeal Nerve Paralysis

Another type of paralysis that can be inflicted upon dogs by the use of choke chains is to their laryngeal nerve. Paralysis to this nerve can affect the dog's voice for life. By "training" your dog with violence, not only are you simply teaching them to fear certain reactions and not really training, but you could possibly be injuring them for life.

Hind Leg Ataxia

Hind leg ataxia in canines shows symptoms such as imbalance, wobbliness, buckling leg joints, tripping, falling and even collapsing. This too can be caused by the use of choke chains, and it is another reason to never use them on your dog.

If choke chains do not work and can cause permanent damage to your dog, what does work? Dog training is by far the best way to have a well mannered, happy best friend. You have to train them psychologically, not physically. Collars may serve some purpose when used sparingly. A no bark collar senses barking before sending the equivalent of a static shock to the dog. An invisible fence does something similar. Still, the best way to win the loyalty and obedience of a dog is to treat it humanely without the use of punitive measures.

also see Differences Between Crate Training Olders Dogs and Puppies

also see Controlling a Digging Dog Through Behavior Modification

also see Using a Citronella Anti-Bark Collar

also see Correcting Dog Behavior Incorrectly: Three Mistakes Owners Make

also see The Chewing Dog: Behavior Modification Solutions

also see Using a Dog Choke Chain Collar Safely

also see Classic Dog Behavior Advice From the Experts

also see Dog Behavior: What's Normal What's Not