The Helicopter

Some call it the helicopter. You hoist a dog off the ground by a choke chain and leash, then spin together. The airborne dog, revolving around you, fears for survival. North Tampa dog trainer Clarke Inghram uses the move to establish dominance, saying it subdues even the most hostile animal. But the American Humane Association and Association of Pet Dog Trainers have decried the practice as cruel. Inghram landed in Hillsborough County Court last year defending the maneuver after he used it on a Labrador. A judge found he did not violate animal cruelty ordinances. The complaint was one of several lodged against Inghram by Hillsborough County Animal Services, at odds with his Sit 'N Stay Dog Academy since April 2004, seven months after it opened. In the last five years, the department pursued animal cruelty charges on four occasions.

I believe the "helicopter" to be cruel and inhumane. I would not use a dog trainer that did this to dogs. And just because this court said it did not violate animal cruelty ordinances... well, let's just say that I don't think this would be the case in many cities around the country. I predict you'd be the one getting the helicopter treatment by the courts if you try this one yourself and get caught.