Sprenger Round Link Check Chain 55cm Heavy (3mm) - chrome plated steel

Herm Sprenger round link check chains are the industry standard in dog correction.

Sophisticated production techniques, consistent quality control, superb craftsmanship and the highest quality raw materials make Herm Sprenger German chain products the only product worthy of your consideration. Made of durable, high quality steel for beauty and long life, all rings and swivels are stamped with HS-Germany or HS to ensure you have the genuine product. 

Herm Sprenger Check Chains are excellent training aids for dogs.

The check chain, also known as correction collar, choker, slip chain or slip collar has been used for hundreds of years by millions of dog owners and trainers worldwide as the correction product of choice. The check chain plays a crucial role in a balanced training program. If used incorrectly or as a method of punishment or torture they can do irrepairable damage. They MUST only ever be used as a correction tool. Their function is to let your dog know the exact moment it has made a mistake. This is done by way of sound (the take up of the chain when pulled) and tactility (the tap of the chain on the dog’s neck). Used correctly, the chain, when jerked quickly and released immediately, corrects your dog with minimum discomfort.

Herm Sprenger Check chains imitate your dog’s natural language.

It is instinctive and in their nature for dogs to submit to authority, be it the authority of an alpha member of the pack they belong to or man. Dogs instinctively want to know their status within the pack, and this intrinsic need brings stability to the unit. They know that someone has to lead, and someone has to follow. Given this, the most positive way for you to establish a successful pack is to think like a dog. If you notice, dogs don’t even use the human element of punishment, but rather teach lesser pack members how to be compatible through authoritative growls, body language and touch. All dogs are sensitive to touch. Learn to touch your dog at the collar with different levels of pressure, and you have the upper hand in speaking dog.

Choosing the right Sprenger Check Chain is critical.

When choosing an appropriate Herm Sprenger product for your dog there are four aspects you need to consider.

1. Length                                                                                                                                                   

Check chains are sized by total length in centimetres (including the rings). The length of the check chain is very important in training. It should be the size of your dogs neck plus 2-4 inches (50-100mm). The chain should rest on the neck with enough room for you to easily fit 2-3 fingers between your dogs neck and collar. Too big is better than too small. If your chain goes over your dogs head snugly that's fine because most dog breeds have a larger head than neck. 

2. Weight

In simple terms large dogs need heavier chains, smaller dogs need lightweight chains. A larger dog tends to be stronger and pull more than a smaller dog so a heavy weight chain which can withstand the rigour of constant pulling is required. The weight of the chain is expressed in millimetres. This represents the guage of the wire used. The larger the guage, the greater the tensile strength. 

Click on the Sizing Chart below to determine the most appropriate Length & Weight of Sprenger check chain for your dog breed.

3. Metal Quality

We sell Herm Sprenger collars in 3 metal qualities, Chrome Plated Steel, Stainless Steel & Curogan. Other metal qualities are available by special order. Of these the chrome plated steel range is by far the most popular quality. Chrome plated steel chains are strong and durable and have the largest number of lengths & weights available. Stainless steel is ideal for situations where your dog regularly comes into contact with water. They won't rust and are easy to keep clean. They're also stronger having a higher tensile strength rating than chrome plated steel. Currogan check chains are made from a copper tin alloy. They are an appropriate choice for dogs who suffer from skin allergies and rashes or fair haired dogs who's hair is prone to discolouration from using chains.

CLICK HERE to view the Sprenger Metal Qualities available.

4. Standard Round Link or Fur Saver

The standard round link chain is the most popular of the chains used in dog correction. It is the ideal choice for short haired breeds. The Fur Saver check chain as the name suggests is fur friendly and the chain of choice for long haired dogs. In long haired breeds, hair can often get caught in the small links of a standard chain when attempting a check. The large elongated rings in the Fur Saver range prevent this from happening. Note: Fur Saver chains have a similar tensile strength rating to standard round link chains.

Some tips on the appropriate use of the check chain.

* Check chains should be used only for training.

Check chains are not meant to be a regular collar for everyday wear and should not be used as the only form of training. There use should be kept to a minimum and they should always be used in conjunction with positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement simply means to reward your pet’s desired behavior with lavish praise and the occasional edible treat. 

* Never leave a check chain on a dog unsupervised.

If a chain gets entangled your dog could be strangled. 

* Never use a check chain on a puppy till they are at least 6 months old.

A puppy's neck is just not strong enough to tolerate the rigors of correction chain training until then.

* Not all breeds can use a check chain

Check chains are suitable as a training aids for Working breeds, Terriers, Gun dogs and crosses of these breeds. Dogs which are not suited are Pugs, Whippets, Greyhounds, Salukis, Afghans and any breed with a soft palate.

* Training a dog takes time and patience.

You MUST stay calm when involved in Dog Training. There is no magic formula. Repetition is the key to success. A check chain will dramatically cut the time taken to get to a well "heeled" dog but you must practice constantly.

* Check chains are better than flat collars for obedience training.

People who consider check chains as inhumane or cruel often use flat collars for correction thinking they are a "less cruel", safer alternative. They are mistaken. Check chains work on a simple jerk and release motion. They distribute pressure equally around the neck. Furthermore once your dog gets used to wearing a check chain it's often only the sound of the take up that is required to control them. A flat collar on the other hand concentrates pressure only on one part of the neck, on the side directly opposite the leash. A flat collar jerked from above focuses all the pressure on the windpipe causing a strangulating sensation and potentially damaging cartliage in the neck.

* The correct way to fit a check chain.

For detailed instructions on how to correctly fit a check chain CLICK HERE.