Dog Choke Collars: Why Avoid Them and What Safe Alternatives to Choose?
Updated 15 October 2026
In short: a choke collar (chain or nylon with no stop) tightens when the dog pulls: it works through discomfort or pain. Studies show that pulling on a collar puts strong pressure on the neck and raises pressure in the eye, and that aversive training methods increase a dog's stress. Since 3 July 2025, dog professionals in France may no longer use them. For a dog that pulls, a Y harness with a chest ring and rewarding a loose lead are safer and work better.
How does a choke collar work?
The chain or strap slides through a ring: the tighter the lead, the more the loop closes around the neck, with no limit. The dog is supposed to stop pulling to make the discomfort stop. That's the principle of punishment: suppressing a behaviour with an unpleasant sensation, without teaching the dog what you want instead.
The pull closes around the throat
The pull goes through the chest
Not to be confused with: a martingale collar also tightens, but only up to a fixed limit. Correctly adjusted, it stops a narrow-headed dog slipping out without choking it.
The risks: what's proven, what's assumed
| Risk | What we know | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure on the neck | On a model neck, 7 collars and a slip lead applied 83 to 832 kPa; none was judged gentle enough to limit injury risk when the dog pulls (Carter et al., 2020). | Lab study |
| Eyes | Eye pressure rises clearly when force is applied through a collar, not a harness (Pauli et al., 2006, 26 dogs). To avoid in dogs prone to glaucoma. | Clinical study |
| Serious injury | A published case describes severe brain damage in a German shepherd after punishment with a choke chain (Grohmann et al., 2013). | Single case |
| Stress and fear | Dogs trained with aversive methods show more signs of stress than those trained with rewards (Vieira de Castro et al., 2020). | Observational study |
| Thyroid | Often mentioned, harm to the thyroid has not been demonstrated to date. | Hypothesis |
The effect on behaviour
- It doesn't learn what to do. Punishment says "stop", never "walk beside me".
- Wrong associations. If discomfort comes every time it sees another dog, it can link dogs with pain and become more reactive.
- Damaged trust. The lead and the hand holding it become sources of worry.
Spot discomfort with calming signals and read about how the collar affects behaviour.
What does French law say?
- Professionals: since 3 July 2025, a French order bans trainers, breeders, shelters, boarding kennels and pet shops from using any "pronged, electric or choke device without a stop".
- Private owners: the French ministry of Agriculture confirmed in August 2026 that these rules don't apply to owners. A bill for a general ban was passed by the National Assembly in 2023 but has not yet been examined by the Senate.
Details of the collars concerned: dog collars to avoid.
Safe alternatives
Y-shaped anti-pull harness
The chest ring turns the dog when it pulls, without pressing on the throat, and the Y shape leaves the shoulders free. See the anti-pull harness and the front clip.
Well-fitted flat collar
It carries ID day to day. Two fingers of room, no pulling on it.
Martingale or well-fitted harness
For a narrow-headed dog that slips out, a limited-slip martingale or a harness that adjusts at both neck and chest.
Reward-based training
Tight lead: stop. Loose lead: move on and reward. That's the Stop and Go method.
Switching from a choke collar to a harness
- Day 1Put the choke collar away. Choose a correctly sized Confort Y harness and get your dog used to putting it on with treats.
- Weeks 1–2Lead on the chest ring. Short outings somewhere calm: stop as soon as the lead tightens, reward when it slackens.
- Weeks 3–6Add distractions gradually. Keep high-value treats for tricky moments (passing other dogs).
- After thatOnce pulling has clearly dropped, switch to the back ring on calm routes.
If your dog is very reactive or hard to hold, get help: see when to call in a professional, and choose a trainer who works without aversive methods.
True or false
Used correctly, a choke collar doesn't hurt.
FALSEDiscomfort is the whole principle: if it didn't cause discomfort, it would have no effect on pulling.
Big strong dogs need a choke collar.
FALSEA well-fitted anti-pull harness gives very good control, even on a big dog, with no risk to the throat.
A dog trained with a choke collar can relearn another way.
TRUEYes, at any age. It takes a little patience and plenty of well-timed rewards.
Frequently asked questions
Why avoid choke collars?
Because they work through discomfort or pain, put strong pressure on the neck and eyes, and raise stress without teaching the dog to walk on a loose lead.
Are choke collars banned in France?
For dog professionals, yes, since 3 July 2025 (choke collars with no stop). For private owners, not at present.
What should replace a choke collar?
A Y harness with a chest ring for the lead, a flat collar for the tag, and reward-based training.
Is a martingale collar a choke collar?
No: it tightens only up to a fixed limit. Correctly adjusted, it doesn't choke.
How long until a dog stops pulling?
Often a few weeks of regular practice, sometimes longer. Consistency matters more than session length.
Sources
- Carter A., McNally D., Roshier A. (2020). Canine collars: an investigation of collar type and the forces applied to a simulated neck model. Veterinary Record.
- Pauli A. M. et al. (2006). Effects of the application of neck pressure by a collar or harness on intraocular pressure in dogs. JAAHA 42(3).
- Grohmann K. et al. (2013). Severe brain damage after punitive training technique with a choke chain collar in a German shepherd dog. Journal of Veterinary Behavior.
- Vieira de Castro A. C. et al. (2020). Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PLOS ONE.
- French ministry of Agriculture, answer to written question no. 06165, Senate Official Journal, 20/08/2026 (order of 19 June 2025).