Country Brook Design Blog - Just another WordPress weblog

Part Two:  Types of collars required

 As we continue the topic of training a dog to walk properly on a leash, we must discuss the types of collars used.  This second installment will highlight some of the collars which will make training and controlling your pet easier.  All these things need to be in place before the actual training starts.

The most common type of collar is the standard nylon webbing or leather collar.  Most owners of a new puppy purchase this collar before considering that another type of collar might work better.  The standard collar is a strip of webbing or leather with a buckle or a side release buckle.  This is a great collar to use if your dog is fully trained to walk properly on a leash.  It does not offer the dog handler much control over the animal if attempting to train a dog.

The proper fit of this collar is important.  If the collar is too loose the dog can slip its head out of it and if too tight it can cause choking, chaffing and discomfort.  Then there are the breeds of dogs that have heads smaller than necks and will easily slip out of a standard collar.  This is one situation when other types of collars will perform better.

The different varieties of choke collars are another type of equipment that can be utilized to effectively train a dog to walk on a leash.  However, there are many differing views of the use of choke collars and the owner must do a lot of their own research to determine if this is a good choice for handler and pet.  Even if not used all the time, choke collars are a good training aide.

One type of choke collar is the chain choke collar also called a slip collar.  This type of collar is usually made of chain but can be made of cord, webbing or cloth.  Despite the name, a chain choke collar is not intended to choke a dog – it is intended to press on the brachial nerve, much like pinching the funny bone.  This type of collar is intended for training purposes only and must fit correctly on the neck and not under it, so the chain will not to cause damage to the dog’s throat.

The design of this collar makes it dangerous to leave on an unattended animal because it can easily catch on something and accidentally strangle a pet.  This type of collar is not recommended for puppies which are six months old or younger.  Also, if a dog is continually pulling against the chain or the owner must use sharp jerks to correct the dog, then another type of choke collar should be used.

Martingale collars and Half check collars are variations of choke collars that are considered by many dog owners to be more humane that the chain choke collar.  These two types of collars were originally designed for sight hounds, such as Greyhounds, Whippets, Bolzoi, Saluki, etc., which are breeds that have necks larger than their heads.  Half check and Martingale collars have since become popular with many breeders because it is prevents any dog from backing out of a regular collar.

A Martingale collar or a half check collar mimics the action of a choke collar, yet in a much more gentle and safe way.  The Martingale collar is constructed of nylon webbing with a small, attached portion of the same material which sits on the under portion of the animal’s neck. A half check collar is made of flat nylon material with a small, attached portion of chain link, which sits on the under portion of the animal’s neck. When the leash is pulled, only the attached portion of nylon or chain contracts, allowing the handler to implement corrections or gain better control of the animal.

There is an alternative to choke collars.  The harness is a type of collar that wraps around the dogs neck and around the chest behind the front legs. The leash attaches at the top of the dog’s back at the shoulder blades. This is different than a standard collar because a collar only controls a dog at the neck or head.  A harness distributes the dog’s pulling force evenly across his chest and shoulders, taking the pressure off the dog’s neck.  This type of collar is also a good choice for dogs whose head is smaller than their neck preventing them from escaping.

A harness is a little more complicated to put on a dog.  If confused about how it goes on the dog, try fastening the harness buckles, position the D-ring at the top where the shoulders would be and then visualize how it will fit on the dog.  Basically, the harness is put over the dog’s head, lift the paw and put it through the “armhole” of the harness, then snap the buckle closed under the dog’s chest.  Always make sure the D-ring is on top.

This concludes the second part of this series.  The final part will have suggestions to help owners train their dogs to a leash.  As always,  researching this topic will help an owner make the decision of what is best for their specific breeds.

We have all witnessed this scenario – an owner on one end of a leash with a wild, energetic dog pulling them around on the other end.  If the truth be known, we have all laughed about that person who is having their arm disconnected from their shoulder by man’s best friend while on a “relaxing” walk.  Then there is the dog that is practically doing flips attempting to remove its head from a collar.

Training your dog to walk on a leash is an important topic because having a well-behaved dog on a leash makes walking the dog a pleasure instead of a stressful chore.  To successfully train a dog to a leash, the owner must know how to use the different types of collars available for dogs and research different training methods that will work for both owner and pet.

We have researched some of the most successful methods and effective equipment to assist the dog owner to train their dog.  There will be too much information for one article, so it will be split into three parts.  This first part will highlight the importance of training your dog.  The second part will discuss the different types of collars for walking a dog, and the third will have suggestions on actually training your dog.

Teaching your dog to walk nicely on a leash is something that will take practice.  A dog pulling against a leash is a common problem that needs to be corrected at an early age.  It will get harder to correct as the dog gets older.  If the dog pulls on the leash and is not corrected, the dog will believe that it is acceptable behavior.  When the walk is continued when he is pulling, then he thinks this is a reward.

Taking a walk with your dog is supposed to be an enjoyable experience but sometimes is a tug of war between owner and dog that causes frustration on both ends of the leash.  The remedy to this frustration is to find the right collar for you and your dog and then train the dog to walk calmly and orderly on a leash.  Allowing your dog to pull you around is not only uncomfortable for you, but it can be dangerous for your dog.

When you start training your dog for a leash, you’ll find that walks are much more enjoyable for you and your pet.  The activity level of the owner must also be included in the training.  An owner who will be jogging with a dog does not need to train the dog differently that the owner who wants slow, relaxing walks.

Another behavior that needs to be addressed is a dog slipping out of a collar.  When a dog learns that it can remove its head from a standard collar, it will do it over and over again.  Especially those dogs that have a head that is smaller than its neck such as sight hounds, pugs and bulldogs.  When a dog slips out of a standard collar, there is a serious safety risk to the dog and its owner who will have to chase the runaway pet.  So alternative types of collars have been designed for this problem and the owner must research the various types of collars.  Choke collars, Martingale collars or harnesses, may need to be used when walking your dog.  The owner should make this decision based on their dog’s breed and temperament.

This first of a three-part series is concluded.  The second and third parts will follow soon.  The second part of the series will discuss the different types of collars that will assist owners in training their dogs to walk obediently on a leash.

In a previous article, information was given on how to measure and properly fit a martingale collar or a half choke collar.  Now it is time to have a discussion about how to measure your dog for a harness and the importance of a proper fit.   A harness can be used for dogs who can easily remove its head from a regular collar, and for owners who are not comfortable with the different types of choke collars.

A harness is a great alternative to a regular collar for those dogs that have heads smaller than their necks or a dog that can be a challenge to walk on a leash.  It is good for puppies or large dogs that pull against a leash or jump when on a leash.  Unlike traditional dog collars, harnesses take the strain off a dog’s neck and put it on the chest.  A harness will help to stop a dog’s forward movement without injury to the neck or trachea.  It will cut down on the coughing and gagging associated with a dog pulling against a regular collar.

With the strap in front and behind the dog’s front legs, it is more difficult for the dog to slip out of a harness than a regular collar.  A center ring sits on the dog’s chest or breastbone, not the delicate trachea area, making it safe for the dog and easier on the owner’s arm.  It will virtually eliminate unintentional accidental escapes.

However, correctly measuring your dog for the harness is very important for it to fit your dog properly.  A tape measure can be used, but the most accurate method requires string or yarn.  When using a string or yarn, put it around the dog’s neck, mark the yarn where it meets comfortably then cut the string.  Perform the same thing around the dog’s chest, just behind the front legs.  Cut at the marks made on the string or yarn.  Finally, measure both strings with a ruler and you have the measurements needed for your harness.

There is a two-finger rule – if two fingers fit snugly under a collar then that is the proper fit.  The manufacturer of the harness usually adds this to the measurements provided by the dog’s owner.  However, most harnesses are adjustable using triglides and slides.  It is a good idea to ask the maker of the harness before purchasing if they include extra for the two-finger rule.

The comfort and safety of the dog is the reason a proper fit is so important.  An improper fit can cause injury.  If the harness is too tight, it can choke the pet or cause irritation and chaffing.  If the harness is too loose, it can get caught on something and choke the animal.  The material the harness is made from should also be considered for the comfort of the dog.

Harnesses are generally made from leather, nylon webbing or polypro webbing.  Nylon webbing is the strongest of the three mentioned materials, with a tensile strength of approximately 4200 pounds in a one-inch width.  Some manufacturers cover the webbing with a cotton fabric which adds comfort as well as the ability to create many different looks.  Metal or plastic hardware are also needed for a top-quality harness.  A strong contoured buckle, welded D-rings and wide-mouth triglides finish a harness that is safe and comfortable for man’s best friend.

It is important to remember that when putting a harness on a dog for the first time, the dog could fight against it.  This can happen with any type of collar and it is normal behavior.  The dog could try to pull out of the harness or rub it off.  The dogs usually adjust rather quickly to the collar or harness, but it is a good idea to give the animal some time to adjust before attempting to walk it.

Future discussions about training your dog on the various types of collars are being prepared, so keep watching for them at this site.