Sorry pet lovers that it has been a few months since I have posted a new entry.
As promised this entry will give you pointers on picking the right collar and leash for your pet.
First up - collars.
There are many types of collars and harnesses on the market for your four-legged family member.
Regular Buckle Collar
This type of collar has a standard metal buckle with a d-ring on it to hold your dog's id information, and rabies tag. This type of collar is a good everyday type of collar and in my experience the easiest to train a dog to walk politely on a leash with.
Martingale Collar
Many people are not aware of this type of collar. This is a good type of collar for escape artist dogs. You know they type. Those that like to slip out of their collar while you are taking them for their morning or afternoon walk. These can also be used for small headed dogs - where the head is smaller than their neck - i.e. Greyhound. With this type of collar, when tension is applied to the leash, the collar will tighten slightly, preventing the dog from escaping the collar. These are not like a choke collar. They do have a stopping point and will stop tightening at a certain point. These can either me made of material only, or material and chain. This is another one that is easy to train a dog to walk politely on a leash.
Standard Harness
This type of harness is just a regular harness. It is not meant to stop a dog from pulling. These are good for dogs that have sensitive neck areas. However - pay attention to where the clip for the leash is. If the clip is in the back between the shoulder blades, be prepared to have no control over your dog. Harnesses are better used on smaller dogs than on larger dogs. That being said, some people choose to walk their dogs using two leashes, or at least a leash coupler - one end attached to the harness, and the other end attached to a regular buckle collar. Sometimes this type of collar actually makes a dog pull harder on the leash.
No-pull Harness
The specific purpose of this harness is to stop the dog from pulling on a leash. These usually have a leash clip in the front on the dogs upper chest area. In my experience, I am not an advocate for these types of harnesses because you may find it difficult to find the proper fit for your dog, or you may find that they do not work on the pulling.
Head Collar
These types of collars work by going over the dog's nose and fasten behind the ears, with the leash clip under the chin. Many dogs do not like these types of collars because they do not like things that go around their muzzle. This is another collar that is aimed at minimizing the amount the dog pulls on the leash. If used incorrectly they can severely injure your dog.
Prong Collar
These collars inflict pain on your dog when he or she pulls on the leash. They have prongs all the way around the inside of the collar that prod into the dog's neck when they pull on the leash. It does have a built in stopping point like the Martingale. I am not an advocate for this type of collar because of the use of pain to teach a dog to not pull on a leash.
Choke Chains
In my opinion, these should not be used under any circumstances. They do not have a built in stop like the prong or martingale and can cause severe damage to a dog's throat - internally and externally.
Now with all of the options of collars listed - I am an advocate for either the standard buckle collar or the Martingale collar. They are both good for everyday use and should not under any circumstances inflict pain or injury on your pet.
Now on to leashes
Leashes come in a variety of materials and lengths.
Nylon
This is one of the most popular materials used for leashes. This is a sturdy material that can be used with any of the above mentioned collars. Usually you can buy a standard buckle nylon collar and leash to match. Here is one drawback to a nylon leash - if not used properly it can cause a leash burn on your hand if you have a strong dog that pulls when started.
Chain
I do not recommend this type of leash. It is heavy, hard on the hands, if it gets stuck in a dog's mouth can cause dental damage and can even break your hand or finger if it gets wrapped around your hand.
Leather
Leather is a strong, versatile material and is gentler on the hands than nylon. It does have a slight, natural give to it.
Retractable Leashes
Where to start with these. These leashes are just plain dangerous. They are dangerous to dogs and humans. Let me explain. Your dog can be up to say 15 feet away from you and if an emergency arises you have basically no control over your dog, let alone the fact that you cannot quickly get the dog back to a safe distance next to you. Your instinct will be to grab the thin little rope that comes out of the leash and pull causing a nasty rope burn on your hand. It is very for you the handler to become entangled in the leash when it is extended, same could be said for other passerby's.
Other than the retractable leashes - leashes come in 4' or 6' length. If you are within city limits the four foot length is a safe length to keep your dog under close supervision yet allow him to have a little bit of freedom.
So for collars I recommend either a standard buckle or martingale and for leashes I recommend either nylon or leather.
For collar fit - the collar should fit as such. High on the pet's neck, but not loose so as to slide down by the shoulders. They should be snug enough that you should be able to fit two fingers between the dog's neck and his collar. And the collar should not fit over the dog's head. The collar should not restrict breathing or cause the dog to cough. Check collar size frequently on growing puppies. Collar size should also be checked occasionally in adult dogs as well.
For safety - the dog should only where a collar when out in public or on walks. If the dog is indoors the collar should not be on, especially if it is crated or playing with other dogs. You risk the collar becoming caught in the crate and choking the dog and if there are other dogs present, you risk the collar being caught in another dog's mouth during playtime again choking the dog.
I do have a couple of websites that I recommend for collars and leashes. I have owned collars and leashes from both companies and they stand up well to strong dogs and weather, compared to those that you buy at the pet store.
For collars - www.collarmania.com
For leashes - www.ellaslead.com
Up Next - Crate Training
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Friday, January 07, 2011
Monday, April 05, 2010
Pet Ownership Expenses
After considering different dogs for the perfect addition to your family, the next aspect of dog ownership to consider is expenses.
Pet ownership can be viewed much like taking care of a child for the next 15 years or so.
One of the first costs to consider is the amount for adoption or purchase of the animal. Some pets you can find for free, while other pets such as a purebred English Bulldog can run you thousands of dollars.
After the initial purchase of the animal, in this case, we are focusing on dogs but these tips can be used for almost any animal, is typical monthly costs to keep the pet happy and healthy.
Monthly Costs
As far as food - do your research. Get a good food. Do not buy something like 'Kibbles & Bits', or what many who know their dog food call 'crap in a bag' I will post another blog entry later entirely about dog food.
Toys and treats will need to be purchased on an as needed basis. Be sure with toys that you buy ones that are size appropriate for your specific dog. You don't want to buy a toy that is too small that they can swallow. Also always supervise your dog when they have toys.
One Time Expenses
There are also one time expenses to consider, such as some vet fees like sterilization. This is an important step for any responsible pet owner to take in order to prevent unwanted litters of puppies ending up with irresponsible owners, or in shelters, or worse - dead. Spaying and neutering can also prevent certain cancers in dogs. This is an expense you will only incur once. It is best to have this done around six months of age to prevent the dog from reaching sexual maturity. This helps in stopping certain hormones from entering the bloodstream which helps to prevent certain cancers.
Unexpected Expenses
Another expense to consider is emergency expenses - you never know when the dog will get into something they aren't supposed to or will come down sick from an illness or something like cancer. Surgeries can be quite expensive for dogs running into the thousands in some cases. You can never be prepared for an emergency to happen with your pet, but it does help to have some money set back just in case.
Occasional Expenses
Other expenses to consider are those that you initially use before adopting a dog and may incur periodically throughout the dog's life. Some of these expenses include collars, leashes, food and water bowls, and a crate. The crate can actually be a one time expense if you purchase a sturdy crate that will accommodate the dog once it is fully grown.
Yearly Expenses
Being a responsible pet owner means taking the dog to the vet, just like you would go to the doctor for a checkup. There are certain shots that a dog needs to have every year like the rabies shot (which is required in all states). Other shots - such as puppy shots can fall under a one time occurrence, and other shots fall under occasional expenses such as kennel cough. The only time I personally recommend that shot is if your dog will be staying in a doggy daycare, kennel, or will be around other dogs that do not live in the same household frequently.
Next up - Potty Training.
Pet ownership can be viewed much like taking care of a child for the next 15 years or so.
One of the first costs to consider is the amount for adoption or purchase of the animal. Some pets you can find for free, while other pets such as a purebred English Bulldog can run you thousands of dollars.
After the initial purchase of the animal, in this case, we are focusing on dogs but these tips can be used for almost any animal, is typical monthly costs to keep the pet happy and healthy.
Monthly Costs
- Food
- Toys
- Treats
- Grooming - depending on the dog
- Flea & Heartworm Preventative
As far as food - do your research. Get a good food. Do not buy something like 'Kibbles & Bits', or what many who know their dog food call 'crap in a bag' I will post another blog entry later entirely about dog food.
Toys and treats will need to be purchased on an as needed basis. Be sure with toys that you buy ones that are size appropriate for your specific dog. You don't want to buy a toy that is too small that they can swallow. Also always supervise your dog when they have toys.
One Time Expenses
There are also one time expenses to consider, such as some vet fees like sterilization. This is an important step for any responsible pet owner to take in order to prevent unwanted litters of puppies ending up with irresponsible owners, or in shelters, or worse - dead. Spaying and neutering can also prevent certain cancers in dogs. This is an expense you will only incur once. It is best to have this done around six months of age to prevent the dog from reaching sexual maturity. This helps in stopping certain hormones from entering the bloodstream which helps to prevent certain cancers.
Unexpected Expenses
Another expense to consider is emergency expenses - you never know when the dog will get into something they aren't supposed to or will come down sick from an illness or something like cancer. Surgeries can be quite expensive for dogs running into the thousands in some cases. You can never be prepared for an emergency to happen with your pet, but it does help to have some money set back just in case.
Occasional Expenses
Other expenses to consider are those that you initially use before adopting a dog and may incur periodically throughout the dog's life. Some of these expenses include collars, leashes, food and water bowls, and a crate. The crate can actually be a one time expense if you purchase a sturdy crate that will accommodate the dog once it is fully grown.
Yearly Expenses
Being a responsible pet owner means taking the dog to the vet, just like you would go to the doctor for a checkup. There are certain shots that a dog needs to have every year like the rabies shot (which is required in all states). Other shots - such as puppy shots can fall under a one time occurrence, and other shots fall under occasional expenses such as kennel cough. The only time I personally recommend that shot is if your dog will be staying in a doggy daycare, kennel, or will be around other dogs that do not live in the same household frequently.
Next up - Potty Training.
Monday, March 29, 2010
How to Pick the Right Dog
With my first post about dog ownership and training, let's start with the first step - picking the right dog.
Dogs can live for quite some time - sometimes upwards of over 20 years, so deciding on adding a dog into your life is something that should not be taken lightly. Dog ownership is a lifetime commitment - it should be assumed that the dog will be a part of your life and family for the rest of it's life.
Dog ownership isn't just about going to a breeder and picking a certain breed because you like that particular breed. Same can be said for a shelter or rescue. You should put some thought into it and pick the right dog for your lifestyle.
First thing to consider when deciding to enter into dog ownership - Temperament.
With temperament - consider your own personality and lifestyle. If you are an active person and are willing to put in the effort to make the dog a part of your active lifestyle - i.e. taking the dog for hikes, runs, swims, etc, then a more active breed would be better suited for your lifestyle. If you are not looking to buy a purebred dog from a reputable breeder then you can visit your local shelter and find active dogs there as well. Other aspects to consider with temperament are a dog's ability to be trained and also how the dog gets along with strangers and familiar people. If you are not an active person - then a dog with a lower level of energy would be better suited for you and your home.
Also with temperament and energy level - you need to consider where you live. If you live in an apartment a high energy level dog would not be well suited because it will not have much space to run off the extra energy it has, but if you have a house with a decent size yard and the ability to commit time to exercising a higher energy dog, then the higher energy may be suited for you.
Next issue to consider - Size.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. From a couple pounds, to almost a couple hundred pounds. If you live in a one bedroom apartment a large mastiff will not be an ideal dog for you. Also consider your own size, if you are a small framed person, a large breed dog may not be ideal because you may not be able to control it 100% of the time. If you are buying from a breeder (again - reputable) make sure that you can see the parents. Looking at the parents will help you to gauge how large the dog will be when full grown.
Issue #3 - Grooming Needs
All dogs are not treated equal, even on the grooming front. Many people do not take grooming needs of a dog into consideration before buying or adopting a dog. The coats of dogs come in all textures, colors and lengths. Dogs with curly or long hair take more grooming than a short coated dog. Grooming needs of an American Cocker Spaniel run at least $50/month with minimum of one visit to the groomer per month. This is a considerable expense that for that type of dog is a regular maintenance expense. If you do not want to put the extra money towards multiple trips to the groomer than it is best to go with a short coated dog.
Issue #4 - Puppy or Adult
Most people gravitate towards getting a puppy because let's face it - it's hard to resist that puppy face or that puppy breath. It's also great to know that you will know first hand what happens to the puppy from the moment that you buy or adopt it regarding socialization or training. Here is the downfall to owning a puppy. Training a puppy takes hard work and a lot of time. Not to mention the amount of patience it takes. You can't get mad if it pees on the carpet or chews up your favorite shoe. It is doing what comes naturally to it - it's your responsibility to teach it all of these things. Most people do not want to take the time to adopt an adult dog - but there is usually an upside to adopting an adult dog from your local shelter. Most adult dogs already know some basic commands and have been socialized. Most of the time adult dogs also adjust better to their new home and surroundings.
Senior dogs should not be left out either - adopting a senior dog can be beneficial especially if you are looking for a lower energy dog. Most senior dogs are destined to live in the shelter because usually no one wants to adopt them, and most are ultimately euthanized.
Issue #5 - Purebred or Mix-Breed
Purebred dogs are great - but be prepared for the possibility of extra vet care expenses because certain breeds are prone to health problems - some of which can be major and even fatal. Not to mention the other expense of buying from a breeder - you can pay upwards of thousands of dollars for the puppy of your breed choice. Therein lies another problem - finding a reputable breeder - which will be another post altogether. Just because a person has a certain breed of puppy for sale does not make them a reputable breeder.
Mix-breeds are readily available at any local shelter for mostly a nominal fee. Usually when adopting from your local shelter, you will not have to worry about the dogs first round of shots or sterilization - which is always a good thing. Downside of mix-breeds - if you adopt a puppy you won't know what the dog's temperament will be like as it gets older and you will not know it's size. You also can't always go by the mix the shelter labels the dog as. 98% of the time you are getting a mutt through and through. But you can also find a breed specific rescue and adopt a purebred dog, but usually in these rescues just like any other shelter the dog will not have papers.
So with these basics to consider - start searching for your ideal dog!!!!!
Next post - Expenses to consider
Dogs can live for quite some time - sometimes upwards of over 20 years, so deciding on adding a dog into your life is something that should not be taken lightly. Dog ownership is a lifetime commitment - it should be assumed that the dog will be a part of your life and family for the rest of it's life.
Dog ownership isn't just about going to a breeder and picking a certain breed because you like that particular breed. Same can be said for a shelter or rescue. You should put some thought into it and pick the right dog for your lifestyle.
First thing to consider when deciding to enter into dog ownership - Temperament.
With temperament - consider your own personality and lifestyle. If you are an active person and are willing to put in the effort to make the dog a part of your active lifestyle - i.e. taking the dog for hikes, runs, swims, etc, then a more active breed would be better suited for your lifestyle. If you are not looking to buy a purebred dog from a reputable breeder then you can visit your local shelter and find active dogs there as well. Other aspects to consider with temperament are a dog's ability to be trained and also how the dog gets along with strangers and familiar people. If you are not an active person - then a dog with a lower level of energy would be better suited for you and your home.
Also with temperament and energy level - you need to consider where you live. If you live in an apartment a high energy level dog would not be well suited because it will not have much space to run off the extra energy it has, but if you have a house with a decent size yard and the ability to commit time to exercising a higher energy dog, then the higher energy may be suited for you.
Next issue to consider - Size.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. From a couple pounds, to almost a couple hundred pounds. If you live in a one bedroom apartment a large mastiff will not be an ideal dog for you. Also consider your own size, if you are a small framed person, a large breed dog may not be ideal because you may not be able to control it 100% of the time. If you are buying from a breeder (again - reputable) make sure that you can see the parents. Looking at the parents will help you to gauge how large the dog will be when full grown.
Issue #3 - Grooming Needs
All dogs are not treated equal, even on the grooming front. Many people do not take grooming needs of a dog into consideration before buying or adopting a dog. The coats of dogs come in all textures, colors and lengths. Dogs with curly or long hair take more grooming than a short coated dog. Grooming needs of an American Cocker Spaniel run at least $50/month with minimum of one visit to the groomer per month. This is a considerable expense that for that type of dog is a regular maintenance expense. If you do not want to put the extra money towards multiple trips to the groomer than it is best to go with a short coated dog.
Issue #4 - Puppy or Adult
Most people gravitate towards getting a puppy because let's face it - it's hard to resist that puppy face or that puppy breath. It's also great to know that you will know first hand what happens to the puppy from the moment that you buy or adopt it regarding socialization or training. Here is the downfall to owning a puppy. Training a puppy takes hard work and a lot of time. Not to mention the amount of patience it takes. You can't get mad if it pees on the carpet or chews up your favorite shoe. It is doing what comes naturally to it - it's your responsibility to teach it all of these things. Most people do not want to take the time to adopt an adult dog - but there is usually an upside to adopting an adult dog from your local shelter. Most adult dogs already know some basic commands and have been socialized. Most of the time adult dogs also adjust better to their new home and surroundings.
Senior dogs should not be left out either - adopting a senior dog can be beneficial especially if you are looking for a lower energy dog. Most senior dogs are destined to live in the shelter because usually no one wants to adopt them, and most are ultimately euthanized.
Issue #5 - Purebred or Mix-Breed
Purebred dogs are great - but be prepared for the possibility of extra vet care expenses because certain breeds are prone to health problems - some of which can be major and even fatal. Not to mention the other expense of buying from a breeder - you can pay upwards of thousands of dollars for the puppy of your breed choice. Therein lies another problem - finding a reputable breeder - which will be another post altogether. Just because a person has a certain breed of puppy for sale does not make them a reputable breeder.
Mix-breeds are readily available at any local shelter for mostly a nominal fee. Usually when adopting from your local shelter, you will not have to worry about the dogs first round of shots or sterilization - which is always a good thing. Downside of mix-breeds - if you adopt a puppy you won't know what the dog's temperament will be like as it gets older and you will not know it's size. You also can't always go by the mix the shelter labels the dog as. 98% of the time you are getting a mutt through and through. But you can also find a breed specific rescue and adopt a purebred dog, but usually in these rescues just like any other shelter the dog will not have papers.
So with these basics to consider - start searching for your ideal dog!!!!!
Next post - Expenses to consider
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