Regrettably, Dr. Sophia Yin passed away 2 years ago Sept. But for the future, we can look at possibly having our current Executive Director, Dr. Sally J. Foote, provide updated articles like this.
Thank you for the suggestion. Thanks for shared! For this reason, it gains popularity day by day. Hello, I just started using a KONG harness, which is designed very differently: there is a large width collar about 1. The other end of that strap has another strap goes under the animals other leg and snaps in front of the throat. The excess strapping actually soft roping materials that is lined where it goes under the dogs arms comes up through a ring in the back of the collar.
However, do you see any problems from a safety standpoint with this type of system? I want to do whats right for my dog but a regular harness just gives her a great system to support a pulling contest and pull me anywhere she wants to go—especially when she sees a deer or rabbit. Also she hates that harness and literally runs to hide when I get ready to put it on her for a walk. She was in a hording situation with 20 to 30 dogs in the back yard of this ladies house.
She is afraid of everything and everyone. We hired a trainer that used the pinch collar and spike collar and the shock collar. We are definitely going to a harness, but not sure which one to use. She is about 11 lbs. She walks well, but pulls to get back to the house and safety. What would you recommend for her. Thanks for helping me understand that dogs that are not yet trained well with the leash should start with a harness.
I guess I can start using a leash for my dog because it can walk smoothly by my side without running away when I took it to the park yesterday. So I might go and buy a collar for my dog where I can hook up the leash.
Hi, I have a cairn terrier and am wondering if I should just stick with the flat collar? When I have taken my dogs to puppy classes in the past, the trainers have said to use the choke collar even on small breed such as my miniature schnauzer and my Norwich terrier. Is a choke collar necessary for training? Not the poster, but like…no, on a cairn terrier I would not use a choke chain. Thin necks and small necks make me, personally, uncomfortable.
Your dog would be better off in a harness either front or back or flat collar. Please… Listen… Leashes break at the swivel. Please change them sooner than you would think.
I have personally witnessed it. Your email address will not be published. Leave this field empty. Sign up for our newsletter here! Share Pin So thank you for explaining the collars and that all are a training aide. Nancy Walter. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. I routinely recommend this harness for dogs who need more directional control than a flat collar provides; however, for many dogs, this harness can alter their natural gait. It tends to hinder shoulder movement.
Another option until you get this type of strong puller better trained is to use a head halter, which is discussed later. Unlike the Gentle Leader harness, it has a strap that attaches between the front legs and over the back. As a result, it allows for unhindered movement of the shoulders. This makes it a better choice for dogs competing in sports than the Gentle Leader harness. It also provides better directional control than a collar but less directional control than the Gentle Leader Harness.
Another factor to consider is that when you try to guide the dog in a new direction, the harness tends to guide from the strap that goes around the base of the neck rather than evenly, even when fitted carefully. It has a strap across the front like the Easy Walk but a strap between the legs like the Walk-in-Sync.
As a result it provides a little more freedom of movement of the shoulders than the Gentle Leader Harness, but it also provides more directional control than the Walk-in-Sync. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5. A small collar would probably be best, but you'll need to measure the neck because all dogs are different. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0. Velana Valdez.
Wait until your dog is about 16 weeks old to use a collar with her. Not Helpful 10 Helpful 1. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Related wikiHows How to. How to. Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Expert Interview. More References 2. About this article. Co-authored by:. Dee Hoult. Co-authors: Updated: January 6, Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 23, times.
We need a harness and collar so we can go outside with her, since our property is not fenced and our puppy is a fast runner. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Linda Melnick Feb 27, Thiyagarajan P. First of all you need to select a suitable and comfortable collar or harness for your dog. The general rule of thumb for a collar is that you need to be able to slide two fingers comfortably under the collar.
Harnesses are a good choice for a dog whose neck is not appreciably narrower than their head e. Leashes need to be in good condition and of a suitable size for your dog. Thick leashes with large clips are often too weighty for small dogs and can put undue pressure on the neck and spine. Thin leashes with small clips are unsuitable for large dogs as they will break. Leashes should be long enough to allow your dog some range to explore when on walks, while staying within the limits of the leash length approximately 2 metres.
A short leash will set your dog up to pull. Extendable or bungee leashes are not recommended for walking as they give you less control and, if your dog takes off and reaches the end of the leash, they can receive a jerk which could damage their neck. We'll also go over dog collar troubleshooting , as well as common mistakes that pet owners make when choosing and using a dog collar and how you can avoid them.
Before you begin looking for the best dog collars, it is important to know what size your dog's neck is. A poorly fitting collar can lead to your dog getting off-leash, which can be very dangerous if you are far from home or in a crowded or unfamiliar situation.
The wrong size collar can also reduce the effectiveness of your training efforts. You may see collars labeled small, medium, large, etc, but each brand will have a different measurement for each of those terms. Some collars are labeled based on the length of the collar instead of the neck size that the collar is suited for.
Most collars are adjustable, so the measurements will be a range of the smallest to largest size the collar can be fitted to. This range allows you to buy a collar that can grow or shrink a bit with your dog. This is great for growing puppies, dogs that are losing weight, and dogs with thick double coats that lose a layer of fur each season. This will save you money in the long run if your dog is still growing.
The easiest way to measure your dog's neck size is with a flexible measuring tape. You want it to rest against his neck, but not tightly. Take the measurements twice. If you get different measurements, then you should take them again to get the most accurate one. When you put your dog's flat collar on, you should be able to fit two fingers underneath, between your dog's body and the collar.
Use this method when taking measurements. The measuring tape or string should not feel tight against your fingers. Not all collars are the same. Most standard collars sit in the lower part of the neck, near the base, just before the neck starts to widen, but others like the collar part of a face harness, or show leads are meant to sit up behind the ears on the upper part of the neck. Not every collar will be available in the size you need. Some types of collars are designed with certain breeds or sizes of dogs in mind.
When choosing types of dog collars for your dog , consider what your dog's needs are and his daily activities. You may like to have a few different types of collars on hand for various uses. The Petsafe Gentle Leader for example is perfect for leisurely walks. Knowing what each collar is best used for will help you find the right one or one for your dog and his regular activities. Standard dog collars are by far the most common. These collars are easy to put on and take off and can be as simple or as fashionable as you please, and are often some of the more comfortable dog collars.
Even when other walking accessories, like harnesses or backpacks, are used, a simple collar is still recommended to hold ID. Collars also give you something to grab quickly if you need to stop your dog from bolting, or if you need to safely remove him from an unsafe situation. Basic collars are generally nylon or leather and come with plastic or metal buckles.
They are available in a wide variety of styles, patterns, and even materials. A basic collar is typically worn all day and even at night. They should be a comfortable loose fit, lower on the neck. LED dog collars , such as the Nite Ize Nite Dawg Collar , are ideal for when you walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening when it is dark and can be especially if you are camping or hiking with your dog. These collars provide either solid or flashing lights, as well as reflective materials so that cars and other pedestrians will be able to clearly see your dog when you are out for a walk.
Many standard nylon collars include reflective safety strips too. As an alternative, you can also find attachable lights or reflectors that fit most collars.
Waterproof collars are highly sought after for pets in wetter climates, and for outdoor summer activities. The soft material of waterproof collars is comfortable enough to be worn all the time, or just for rainy days, and activities like water sports. This type of collar will be not only waterproof, but it will resist bacteria and be very easy to clean. Over time, bacteria in most materials will start to hold an odour, form mildew, and start to break down. Waterproof collars are very durable and will not need to be washed or replaced as often as nylon or leather collars.
Everyone has a standard collar for everyday use, but another type of collar that can be handy is a training collar. Training collars are used to teach dogs better walking behaviours, like loose leash walking, and to keep control of them in busy, stressful, and unfamiliar situations.
Not all training collars are the same, and their uses vary greatly. Martingale collars are one of the most popular types of training collars because they are the most comfortable and the safest to use. This style of collar is designed to tighten or cinch up a little bit when your dog pulls, but then loosens comfortably when they are walking appropriately.
The most common martingale design uses nylon similar to a standard collar, and then a small section of a light chain is looped between two metal rings. Another version of a martingale collar uses a separate piece of fabric in place of the chain.
They are desirable for dogs with long hair to prevent pulling any fur out. They are also lighter weight and are ideal for smaller breeds and dogs with skinnier necks.
Using aggressive jerking motions with this type of collar is also dangerous. When used improperly, martingale collars can do more than just physical harm.
Part of dog training is building trust and a sense of security, so if your dog is already very fearful by nature, a training collar may only cause more stress or anxiety. Though this collar is the easiest training collar to figure out, these simple safety tips can help to make sure you are using it the safest way possible. Another very popular training collar for a dog trainer or pet owner is a choke chain.
These full chain collars are designed to tighten when your dog pulls. Like the martingale, but there is no limit to how tight this collar can cinch.
Choke chains are meant to fit loosely. This also means that when loose, the collar will hang down on their neck. For an even lighter option, look for nylon chokes chains. These may be better suited to smaller breeds. Choke chains can be very damaging to your dog if not used properly, and they are rarely used properly. Unlike a martingale that can only tighten to a small extent, choke chains can tighten much further, leading to pain, neck and esophagus damage, and choking hence the name.
Some trainers still argue that they are effective for teaching stubborn dogs to walk well on a lead, but there are safer options out there, like the martingale collar. Many trainers have focused on force-free training techniques. This eliminates the need for choke chains, pinch collars, and remote or shock collars. Similar to martingales, choke chains need to be used correctly to be both effective and safe.
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