Posts Tagged ‘choke collar’
The Glam Pet For 2010
Give them a gift of a New Look!
In 2010, give your pet the gift of glam! A regular grooming regimen will make your pet feel proud, pampered and healthy. After all the pampering of their bath and brushing and teeth cleaning, why not dress them up in a new dog collar and outfit. Or purhaps you will need a new halter for your horse or a lead rope.
What will you do for you pet today?
Is A Halter Better For My Dog?
Many people today want to use the gentlest method possible for controlling and training their dog. Choke collars, pinch collars, and prong collars make many people uncomfortable. Some people prefer to use halters such as the Halti or Gentle Leader for their dogs but there are pros and cons to these head collars. Should you use one for your dog?
A head collar is different from an ordinary collar for dogs. Most regular collars fit around a dog’s neck. Head collars work like a horse halter. They have straps that fit behind your dog’s ears, along the cheeks and over your dog’s nose. It is this nose strap that really controls your dog. There is a D ring on the underside of the head collar where you attach your leash.
It’s important to properly size a head collar to fit your dog. Otherwise the halter won’t be effective at all.
Most dogs don’t like a head collar at first. Some dogs never get used to them. When you put the head collar on your dog you should allow plenty of time for your dog to get used to it. Let your dog wear the head collar in the house a few times before you ever try to take him anywhere wearing the halter. Give him some treats when you put the head collar on. Give treats and take the head collar off. You can do this a few times so that he associates the head collar with something pleasant. You can even put the head collar on before you feed your dog and let him eat while he’s wearing it.
After your dog has gotten used to wearing the halter you can attach your leash and practice walking your dog. You can practice in the house before going in the backyard or on a quiet street.
It’s a good idea to have a standard collar on your dog and an extra leash with you, just in case. It’s always possible that the halter could break and you might need to attach your leash to the back-up collar.
Walk your dog on a loose leash and let him walk in front of you. Head collars are great for controlling boisterous dogs and dogs that aggressively pull. They are often chosen by small people with very large dogs since they help them control the dogs better. Your dog should be walking more quietly for you with the head collar.
You can practice walking 10 to 20 feet, then give your dog a treat. Keep this up for a few days and your dog should be walking quietly for you.
Those are the basics of training your dog to walk with a head collar. It’s not hard to teach your dog but there are pros and cons about using a halter on a dog. Some trainers believe that a head collar is a “quick fix” for a training problem. If your dog pulls when you walk him with an ordinary collar, you haven’t really solved the problem by putting your dog in a head collar. You have only increased your control. If you put your dog back in an ordinary collar your dog will likely still pull.
Other people dislike using the head collar because, with the nose strap around the dog’s muzzle, it looks like your dog is wearing a muzzle. This can give people the impression that you have an aggressive dog which makes many owners uncomfortable.
By far the most serious negative about using the head collar is that there is the potential for soft tissue damage and damage to the spine from using the halter. The head collar works on a dog’s nose instead of the lower neck. If a dog moves out to the end of the leash and yanks or is pulled back, or if you simply don’t see what he’s doing, his head can be whipped to the side at the top of the spine. This is similar to a facemask injury in football, with the head being whipped around to the side and it can cause a lot of physical damage to your dog, especially if it happens repeatedly.
And, as already mentioned, many dogs simply seem to hate the head collars. They don’t seem to like having something placed on their nose, especially so close to their eyes. Although the halter is similar in design to a horse halter, the head of a horse and that of a dog are very different.
Head collars are very effective for dogs that pull a lot, especially for small people trying to control large dogs, but you’ll have to make your own evaluation about the pros and cons and whether you think the good outweighs the bad.
<a href=”http://information.i-love-dogs.com/dog-articles/dog-training/4190-Halter-Better-For-Dog.html”>Is A Halter Better For My Dog?</a> courtesy of <a href=”http://information.i-love-dogs.com/dog-articles/”>Dog Articles</a>
Dogs in Desparate Need!!Urgent euth alert:8 to die before Christmas!
Please crosspost everywhere
Please post on BLOGS and bulletin boards
12/16 @ 10 am
Even if you can’t take the dogs until after Christmas, please ask! Another trans can be arranged!
Trans to northeast on Saturday. Still have room to get dogs to rescues in northern MD, eastern PA, central/northern NJ, Binghamton NY & CT!!! We are holding seats on this run specifically for Rowan dogs!
Trans to midwest can be arranged, please ask!
Local foster homes/offers of free boarding very welcome and appreciated! Morehead KY area
8 more to go. Still hoping for a Christmas miracle!
Dogs at the top of the list die first.
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CONTACT INFO
STAR Saving the Animals of Rowan
Sue: s.creasap@moreheadstate.edu (moreheadstate.edu)
606-356-1939 cell
12/14: Sue will have limited internet access for the
next few days, so please cc these also:
barbarawhite@roadrunner.com (roadrunner.com) and
jandacci@roadrunner.com (roadrunner.com)
Jan’s cell 606-462-0375
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STAR Saving the Animals of Rowan
These are the 8 still in danger at the pound.
Listed in order of intake date (top of the list die first):
1. AMBER the cuddlebug – 45/50 lbs – next to die! ~~~ SPONSORED! ~~~
Adopt a Yellow Labrador Retriever: Amber URGENT: Petfinder
She is a happy dog. Her favorite thing is to take her paws and reach through the kennel wore to “touch”. She loves attention and we suspect she will be a real cuddler if given the chance. She plays well with the other dogs in her pen and is not more than 1-2 years old.
“Look at my smile and wagging tail! Please don’t let me die here! They say I’ve been here too long!”
2. Didley, BEGGING! Next to die! Lab mix, friendly, young, and happy, no one looks twice, 45 lbs, 1-2 yrs, pen 7.
Adopt a Black Labrador Retriever: Didley URGENT: Petfinder
“Nobody wants black labs here. Don’t let me end up as another statistic…dead!”
3. Beano, male, stray on 10/2. Next to die! Border collie/lab mix, friendly, 35-40 lbs, 1 yr, pen 7
Looks like he might have some whippet in the mix??
Adopt a Mountain Cur: Beano URGENT: Petfinder
4. Bojangles (needs neuter, fence barks at other males, fine with kennel mates)
mountain cur mix, unusual amber eye color, cropped tail, friendly and no one looks twice!
Adopt a Mountain Cur: Bojangles URGENT: Petfinder
Maybe sponsorship will get this guy neutered and into boarding so his hormones can cool off? If you can help, please ask if that’s possible!
5. Bola, male lab mix, beautiful spray of white speckles on chest, pen 7, sweet disposition, good with other dogs, approx 60 lbs
Adopt a Black Labrador Retriever: Bola URGENT: Petfinder
6. Point, male, lab/something mix, This boy wandered in as a stray. He plays well with other dogs and loves kids. He has medium length coat and weighs about 50 lb. Pen 7. BREED ID? Lab/what? Ears don’t hang like a lab’s…body is stocky like a possible English lab?? English Lab/Shep???
Adopt a Black Labrador Retriever: Point URGENT: Petfinder
Looks like a friendly guy…his tail is always up for photos. Love those ears! Little batwings on that big body! LOL
7. Hoolihan, pointer mix, very friendly, likes to give kisses, 50 lbs, 1 yr, pen 6
Adopt a Pointer: Hoolihan URGENT: Petfinder
8. Nemoy, feist, 15 lbs, pen 5, cute as can be and a stocky little fellow about 6 months old. Lots of fun!
Medicated Dogs?
Genuine separation anxiety can be a serious problem for a dog. It is much more than simply having a dog that barks and cries when you leave the house. With genuine separation anxiety your dog cannot stand to be away from you even when you’re home. He follows you from room to room. He may become so stressed about being near you that he will use the bathroom in the house. He can even bark and cry for you when you are gone and there are other people present. And he will do these things if you are gone for 30 minutes or less. Dogs with separation anxiety may also dig, chew, scratch themselves, or exhibit other kinds of destructive behavior. Separation anxiety is a psychological condition and it may require medication for treatment.
Separation anxiety can occur with any dog but it is most common with dogs who have been abused, abandoned or with those which were not properly socialized when young. No one knows exactly what causes it but you should know that it is an actual anxiety condition. When your dog does these things he is not disobeying you or being deliberately destructive. Even if he is housebroken or normally well-behaved, he cannot help his behavior when he has this much anxiety. A combination of medication and behavior modification can allow him to live a normal life again.
If you suspect that your dog has separation anxiety you should first consult with your veterinarian. He or she can rule out any physical reasons for your dog’s problems. Your vet may recommend a complete blood count, urinalysis and other tests. Once other causes are ruled out your vet may prescribe one of the medications often used for separation anxiety, such as clomipramine and amitriptyline. These drugs should be given exactly as prescribed. They must be taken regularly and not just when your dog is showing symptoms of anxiety. It may take several weeks for them to begin to be effective so it’s necessary to follow the prescription and directions precisely.
Once your dog begins to respond to medication it’s a good idea to consult with an animal behavioral consultant. This professional can try some behavior modification techniques to try to help your dog. Your vet may also be able to help you with these behavior modification exercises. These exercises will work on some of the behaviors your dog exhibits under stress, such as barking or housebreaking problems. Your dog may not be able to respond to these exercises until he is taking medication to reduce his anxiety. That’s why behavior modification usually comes after medication has begun.
It’s also a good idea to make sure your dog gets plenty of outdoor exercise. Exercise in general will be good for him and it will help provide some positive stimulation for him. Don’t forget mental stimulation, too. Do things at home with your dog. Provide toys and chews for him so he won’t get bored.
If you still must leave your dog during the day while you work (and most of us do), consider taking your dog to a doggy daycare where he will be around other people and dogs. Or think about taking him to a friend’s house during the day, or getting a pet sitter to come to your house. These things will all help your dog cope with your absence; at least until his separation anxiety is under control.
Genuine separation anxiety is a serious psychological problem and it needs a combination of treatments. Don’t give up hope. Your dog can be treated and live a normal life again. You will be able to leave the house without your best friend falling to pieces. It just takes patience and treatment.
Gift of Adoption
If you read the newspapers or watch the news you have a slight idea of the animal abuse that occurs day in and day out. It is a never ending battle of what the American Humane Society fights daily.
I am taking a hint from the American Humane Society and asking that if you are thinking of adopting a pet for a family member or friend, please remember that it is a huge decision to take on your own. You may have the best of intentions to rescue an animal in need but if the receiver of that gift that does not appreciate the gesture than it is more heartbreaking and confusing for the animal to have to return the adoption center.
The best way to give the gift of adoption is to wrap a dog collar, dog toys or a horse halter in a box and present that as a gift with a card. In the card let them know that you are giving the gift of adoption to them at a time when they can visit a shelter and choose the best pet for them.
Providing a gift in this way is providing happiness for both the animal and the person receiving your gift.
Check out www.americanhumane.org for more information on adoption.
Pet Holiday?
Just a quick question for everyone.
Do you do anything special for your pets during the holidays?
I know we usually have special gifts and we hang a stocking for them. Maybe its the time of year to give a new collar or leash. Or maybe even a special new halter.
Canine Wheelchair
I am in the process of developing a new wheelchair for dogs. I have found, after having to purchase one for my dog Charlie, that it is a very expensive tool. There are also very few brands to choose from ranging from$300-$575. My thought on this topic is that it is not at a price point that most can afford. To think that you would possibly have to euthanize your pet because of a medical condition that can be assisted is absolutely heartbreaking.
I would like to ask a few questions from others that have had this experience or those that may soon face the need to purchase a canine wheelchair.
1. How much would you pay?
2. What are some concerns (i.e. portability, weight, etc)?
3. Would it beneficial to have it size adjustable?
Let’s Play!
I started working with Dogs and Horses at a very young age. Was taught to ride a horse and how to barrel race, which was a blast. Had some of those horses that, I will just say, were a challenge. But, whether it was training a horse or a dog the agility was the most important part.I will talk about the very first dogs I trained for agility, Duke and Dolly. Duke was a mix and Dolly was a german shepherd. They were so patient with me.
I started out with wooden poles and blocks of wood and tires. I didn’t have the great equipment they we have now. It probably took me a little longer than normal to get them to do things because all I wanted to do was play with them and pet them. It was really hard for me to be stern about anything, especially at a young age. But when they did what they were expected to do it was the most amazing and thrilling experience. Using the products that I do know makes it a little easier because they don’t cause the injury, to me or my dogs, as my old equipment did.
Massage for Your Dog?
I remember about 10 + years ago I began a new part of life and started attending massage school. I had to go at night because I also had a full time job. Well…I also had a family and 7 dogs to care for. So I get home feed the entire family and then go to school. I usually got home around 11pm. By then I was absolutely tired. I made the mistake (?) of giving a massage to each of the dogs one night when I got home. After that it was…a habit? No sooner did I walk in the door, of course I had to put the dog collars and dog leads on all to give them a walk and then all of the dogs lined up to get their daily dose of massage. It was great and they were so patient waiting for their turn but by the time I finally got done it was well past midnight. I know they like the special touch and the connection I was making with them but I was getting worn out.
10 years later SURPRISE!! I have now found my new best friend…a dog bed that has heat and massage, all in one. I am absolutely in seventh heaven and so are the members of my dog family that I have left. Miracle is 15 years old now and has a hard time walking due to a lot of health issues and she is always trying to find a comfortable place to lie down. I think now I am going to get the dog bed for Baby and Marina now. They still get a dose of massage periodically, but I get to bed a little earlier now.
Energy Work for Animals
I was wondering if anyone else has ever performed Reiki or any other kind of energy work on their pets.
Since I began providing massage many years ago, I found that energy work was just another stepping stone to provide a noninvasive treatment to my pets. It seemed to lessen their arthritis symptoms and actually helped to enhance their recovery after surgery. It was also just another way to provide that special bond. It was also an amazing thrill to be able to provide a noninvasive treatment to those horses that are not use to the touch that massage entails.
The best thing about the energy work is that they don’t have to be tied up with leads or leashes, they don’t even need a dog collar on or a halter!