Why is food-based training better than using a choke chain?
Using a choke chain can have results, for sure, but when you use a reward-based system for training, you are building a “working relationship” with your dog. You either lure your dog or wait for him to naturally do something (i.e., look at you) and then reward him with something good, like food. In this manner, it becomes his idea to do cool stuff with you and for you, he gets great prizes for it, and it makes the whole ‘training’ thing much more fun. This involves active thinking on the part of the dog, as opposed to the rather passive style of learning which takes place when your dog is ‘corrected’ or put into a position. In addition, there is no discomfort or pain involved in food-based training, so the dog is (and you are) more relaxed. Little learning can happen when a dog or person is stressed.
