Q: Why are so many "experts" trash-talking choke chains? I have a very strong dog -- a pit-Lab mix -- and a choke chain is a must to keep him in line. We used a head halter after a "trainer" insisted, but it didn't do the job. We'll never take off his choke chain again. -- C.S., via e-mail

Universal Press Syndicate A front-clip harness makes walking a dog easier.

A: I hope you're taking that slip collar (aka "choke" chain) off when you're not walking your dog. They are not safe as an everyday collar. Use a snap-together or buckled collar instead, or you may find your dog killed when the loop of the slip collar catches on something and he cannot get free.

The bigger problem with slip collars is that they are cruel and ineffective if used improperly -- and I almost never see them used the right way. They're put on upside down (with the moving end coming under the neck instead of over it), or are just kept constantly tight as the dog drags the owner down the street. Slip collars require not only knowledge of how they should be used -- if they're choking the dog, they're not being used properly -- but also a sense of timing that few people can manage.

That's why many trainers and behaviorists take the pragmatic approach and recommend head halters or front-clip harnesses, or even pinch or prong collars. All of these training tools are considerably less reliant on the skills of the dog's owner to use them properly, which means in the real world they manage leash-pulling more effectively.

Not all head halters and front-clip harnesses are created equal, though, and some designs are better than others. Work with a good trainer to ensure the correct piece of equipment and fit for the dog.

A trainer can also help you teach your dog to accept a head halter more easily, if that's your choice, and can help you both learn the skills you need to walk safely and calmly with the proper equipment, which for many people is not a slip or "choke" collar.

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