On Collars, Leads, & Leashes.
The Lowdown –by Susie Kupfer, co-owner of Pet Food Warehouse, St. Petersburg
There’s a Carole King song that has a line in the lyrics, “where you lead, I will follow.” If only it were that easy taking a dog for a walk. The basics are a collar and/or harness,
and of course a lead (leash). Sounds sim- ple right? It can be, but it can also be a real challenge. COLLARS are sized by number of inches
around the neck. Traditional buckle collars (holes and clasp like a belt buckle) are simple and come in sizes from 6 inches to 28 inches. Adjustable collars are especially good for growing dogs. To help correct a moder- ate amount of pulling, try a Martingale collar, which will tighten up if your dog continues to pull. It is much safer and easier to use than a choke chain collar. Prong collars are very effective for dogs pulling, more than a Martingale will correct. Although they look intimidat- ing, they’re safer than a choke chain because they disperse pressure around the dog’s neck instead of just at the throat. It’s good for your dog to wear a collar for ID tags. However,
if safety is an issue, like puppies roughhousing or dogs going to daycare or dog parks where there can be multiple dogs, then break-away collars may be the safest option. These collars can be used with a lead, but if the rings aren’t connected, the collar can break apart just like a cat collar. If the collar is caught on a fence or tied up with a playmate, it breaks apart. HARNESSES are measured in the number of inches around
your dog’s chest, just behind the front legs, at the barrel part of the chest. They are meant to be more comfortable for your dog than a collar. Just by that fact alone, I put harnesses into two categories; comfortable styles for dogs that are easy to walk and don’t pull, and styles that are not-so-comfortable for dogs that simply won’t stop pulling. Harnesses made for more control work in several ways. Some have lead rings in the front, under your dogs chin so they can’t pull too far ahead; some have Martingale loops (these tighten up) on the front or a Martingale on the back. If it’s really comfortable and non-restrictive, you might be the sled (pulled along by your dog) and not the driver. There are many styles of harnesses suitable for different body
shapes and sizes. Some are best for little dogs while some are bet- ter for big dogs. Some fit best with an over-the-head style. Or, maybe a step-in would be better suited for your dog. The best fit is determined by simply trying different ones on to see what works best with your dog’s body shape. The lead usually attaches over the center of your dogs back (and center of gravity) which
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makes it more comfortable for your dog by not putting pressure on the neck and spine. While a collar can be left on most of the time, it’s not a good idea to leave a harness on if you think your dog might get stuck on something or maybe try to chew it off. LEADS & LEASHES Between your dog’s harness or collar and the lead is a clever invention called Magic Lead. It is
one of the coolest inventions I’ve seen. It has two parts — one that stays on your dog’s collar or har- ness while the other part stays on your lead. When they get close to each other, strong magnets pull them together and can hold up to 75 pounds of dog. It comes apart using two fingers and snaps back together when the next walk
comes along. It’s great for wiggly dogs, sore
hands or just saving time. Leads are available in every
length, width and material imagineable. Short leads of 12, 18 or 24 inches are called traffic or city leads. These are great for keeping your dog right at your side when you’re in a store or at a market where you’ll encounter lots of people or other dogs. Next, standard lengths are four and six feet. Other longer sizes such as 10, 15, 20, 30 and even 50 feet, are called training leads. They are perfect for training in a field without a fence for exam- ple. The shorter the lead, the closer your dog, the more control you have. Better balance, better training and easier control. Retractable leads are very popular and can give your dog a
sense of freedom on walks. The safest ones are belt type — not cord — use caution with the cord types to avoid a rope burn. Retractable leads are great when your dog has the opportunity to enjoy freedom but not good in close quarters if they aren’t locked in the short position. The more length you allow your dog, the less control you have. Keep that in mind for your dog’s safety too, so they’re not stepped on, and for other people's safety, from trip- ping or becoming entangled. Retractable leads are not good for dogs that pull and don’t listen. Giving them freedom and then taking it away can confuse a dog and reward pulling by giving in. COUPLERS are connectors that attach two (or three) dogs
together using one lead. Couplers come in different lengths depending on the size and height of your dogs and how close you want to keep them together. They’re handy for well-behaved dogs that like to walk next to each other. Whatever combination works best for you and your dog,
walking and going out will become a more enjoyable, bonding experience for you both. Happy trails.
U Winter 2017 THE NEW BARKER 59
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