Posts Tagged ‘dog harnesses’
Special Dog Harness Part 2
As stated in part 1 the specialized dog harness, Bottom’s Up, is a special leash that helps your pet walk when they are having some problems with their joints or have a neurological problem. The Bottom’s Up leash help to support the rear end of your dog by looping straps around their hinds legs so that you can help hold up the rear end. The leash supports your pet but does not hinder their ability to relieve themselves.
I previously stated some medical reasons that you may need this leash. I wanted to continue on with one last one that is extremely important to me.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an insidious onset typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. The affected dog will wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag the feet. This can first occur in one hind limb and then affect the other. As the disease progresses, the limbs become weak and the dog begins to buckle and has difficulty standing. The weakness gets progressively worse until the dog is unable to walk. The clinical course can range from 6 months to 1 year before dogs become paraplegic. If signs progress for a longer period of time, urinary and fecal incontinence may occur and eventually weakness will develop in the front limbs. Another key feature of DM is that it is not a painful disease. It is also usually the last diagnosis after all other tests have been performed.
There is no cure for DM at this time and it is so heartbreaking to see you four-legged family member go through this. But they are not in pain so that can be some consolation.
DM is the reason I began the hunt for specialty items such as the rear harness and dog carts (wheel chairs). I have been through DM with my lovable dog Charlie who developed DM when he was 8 yrs old and progressed over the following year to where he needed assistance walking to go outside. This disease however did not deter him from wanting to chase squirrels! I couldn’t run that fast. Watching him made my heart melt and want to do something to help him. So like I stated, I purchased the rear harness and helped him get where he wanted to go. It was the best purchase I have ever made as it also relieved the pressure on my shoulders and back from trying to hold him up from behind and more convenient than using a towel which didn’t sit in the right places for him to relieve himself.
So if you are ever in doubt check out the rear harnesses to assist your pet through some hard times.
Special Dog Harness Part 1
While nothing will ever replace a dog leash, the dog harness the need has become more prominent in ou
r society to leash our pets. The laws and regulations regarding our pets have been put into place that you need to have a leash to walk your dog. When you have a pet with special needs sometimes the regular leash will not do.
There are a number of different product names and types to choose from depending on what your specific needs are.
Sling type dog harnesses are being used to help animals when they’re having problems walking. The Bottom’s Up Leash, actually supports the rear end of your dog and is one of many types of assisting harnesses for lifting or holding the rear end of your pet up. You can use this to assist your pet getting up the stairs, getting into the car or simply walking around.
Some of the conditions that may warrant a specialized harness
Canine arthritis
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a progressive, debilitating disorder characterized by a loss of cartilage and the death of cartilage-producing cells. DJD can occur in any joint, but is most often found in the hip. It can lead to permanent loss of function.
In most cases, DJD occurs secondarily to trauma, nutritional disorders or infections. It is prevalent in middle-aged to geriatric dogs. DJD may also occur in young dogs who suffer from canine hip dysplasia, a common developmental disorder of the hip joint found primarily in the larger breeds and breed mixes.
My dog, Baby, is 13 yrs old and is closely getting to the time where she will need a harness as she is getting slower walking up stairs. So I definitely know where to turn from experience.
I wanted to make this a shorter post so I will talk about other conditions that would warrant you to use a Bottoms Up Harness in future posts.
Maintaining Canine Health
If you care enough about your dog, you must learn how to take care of him properly. Aside from the necessities like food, water, and shelter that you need to provide, dog health is one important aspect that every dog owner should be very knowledgeable on. After all, pets need more than love to be happy and healthy. Know what important dog care products you should buy that are ideal for your dog’s specific needs.
When buying dog care products, keep these tips in mind:
~Ask your vet; he’s the best person to get advice from when it comes to suggesting good pet products
~Read consumer reviews before shelling out any money
~Bring your dog along to pet stores when choosing health care supplies. He might even choose his toys and treats himself
~Research the climate in your area and how it can affect your pet’s health
~Learn more about your dog’s breed, their common problems and particular needs
~Know your dog’s size and weight well so it would be easy when buying items like dog leads, collars and carriers
A Man, a Dog and Their Routine
I rescued my fawn pug Rufus from the city dog pound seven years ago, and he’s been my constant companion ever since. Over the years we’ve developed a routine, and Rufus is smart enough to pick up on my words and gestures. He seems to know about an impending trip to the vet well before I tell him to hop in the car. Most of all, he senses that it’s time to go for a walk based on a few subtle clues.
If it’s early evening and I begin lacing up my sneakers, Rufus starts wagging his tale tentatively; he’s still unsure at that point if a walk is really forthcoming. Then, when I start rifling through the cabinets looking for his nylon dog harness, he becomes downright giddy. He’ll bark expectantly when I pick up the final dog supplies required for the walk – his favorite leather leash.
Remembering Daddy
Almost everyone that is a dog lover has watched the Dog Whisperer at one time or another. Whether you agree with Cesar Millan’s techniques or not, it is time to celebrate a star of the show, Daddy. We also get to celebrate his adopted “grandson”, Junior, as he carries on the legacy.
I don’t want to do any injustice to the article so I am simply attaching the link.
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>
Do You Approve of the Shots Required??
After you pick out your new puppy or adopted a new dog and bought all the new toys and new dog collars and great food, the next thing you need to do is to take them to the vet to make sure they are healthy.
The first thing the Vet wants to do is to de-worm them as well as give them a multitude of shots, for parvo, dis-temper and rabies, etc. There has been some controversy over the amount of shots as well as how often they need to be given. WHat are your thoughts?
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!
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.