Oh, it’s time for a post from Shami!
I got a new collar today. Apparently, stopping every 13 seconds to sniff the grass, a rock, or worse is annoying to the humans. Now when I say “stop to sniff,” I must clarify that I actually have started to drop anchor; I hunch down and suddenly become a ninety pound dog and the whole walk comes to a pause.
I should also add that I used to wear a choke collar. We don’t wear them in the house all day, but when we would go on a walk, Mom put the choke chains on Toby and me. As a mixed breed, I am a little oddly shaped and my choke chain was always a little big. I don’t think it ever worked for me, but Mom held out because that was what she knew. Taking a little time to research, she finally decided that maybe it was best to try a new collar. If you are having challenges with your dog on the walk, consider the equipment. Do some research, your pet too might be wearing the wrong gear!
First, the buckle collar. This is the “everyday collar”. Your dog can wear it all day and not risk injury. This is where identification tags should be attached. Make sure you get a collar that fits and doesn’t slip over your dog’s head easily. Consider the different materials available as well as the flat or round options.
Second, the slip collar. These are also referred to as “choke” collars and can be made of nylon, leather or metal. You should never leave your dog unattended in one of these collars. They serve a purpose in training by allowing you to give your dog a quick jerk and correct their behavior. Please be sure you do your research on the use of this collar as it can cause neck and throat damage when used incorrectly. Martingale collars are similar to slip collars in that they can be pulled tighter, but most of the collar is leather or nylon. Finally, “pinch” or prong collars also fall into this category. They have a small section that can be pulled tight to correct the dog, but they also have teeth that help reinforce the correction. Again, this should not be left on a dog unattended.
Third, the harness. Many breeds of dog have to wear a harness because of the fact that a normal collar will slip off over their head. These can be worn all day like a buckle collar and you can attach your pup’s identification to the center D-Ring. Please know, however, that harnesses are designed for cart dogs and sled dogs. This means that it allows weight to be evenly distributed so the dog can pull it’s load. If your dog is prone to tugging and lunging on the walks, this collar will only allow that to get worse.
Fourth, the head halter. Mom had read the concerns about gentle leaders (that they are unnatural and uncomfortable to a dog) so she had sort of pushed them out of her head. However, she also knows that you should never leave a dog unattended with this type of collar on and that you can’t tug at your dog’s face. If you have also seen horse tack, you will realize that this is essentially the same thing as a horse harness. The collar is worn around the dog’s next and a second piece is adjusted to fit over the snout of the dog. This is not a muzzle and your dog and open his mouth, but the leash attaches to the face and gives you more control.
The fifth category is the electronic collar. These can be used to help establish the perimeter of your yard or to help keep your dog from barking. Please be sure that you follow all instructions very carefully as these collars need special attention paid to them.
The bottom line is to do your research. If you have a pug, you probably need a harness, but you have to teach him not to pull. Know your dog and know your options. A pet store will always let you exchange a collar if it isn’t working out.
So tonight was only the first journey on my new gentle lead, but it went so well! I only fussed for the first few minutes of the walk and then we got into the rhythm. There wasn’t any hunkering-down-sniff-fest. It was a much better experience than I think Mom even expected, and I got a cookie when I got home.
I love these cookies, but the best part of Mom making them the first time was when she came home and Dad was eating them! He said, “what kind of cookies are these? They’re not sweet, but they are good.” Priceless.
Wet Beards 