Archive for January, 2010

Dog Harnesses vs Dog Collars?

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As a dog owner you may be wondering whether the dog collar or dog harness is best. There always seems to be a question of which tool is best for walking, training, etc. They both have benefits, but which one is the superior of the two?

There are several factors when deciding which of these is better. A dog harness and collar can be used in similar ways to compare the two. However, they are also very different so the best of the two really depends on the goal you are trying to achieve.

Dog collars are able to hang necessary identification tags. They also are helpful for training commands. If you are trying to teach your dog the “come” command, the dog collar works best.

For teaching dogs to walk on a leash without pulling on it, harnesses can be the best choice. Dogs are often fitted with a choke collar by owners, and it is used incorrectly. Choke collars can cause a lot of damage to your dog’s throat, so if you choose to use a dog collar with training be sure to use a sturdy nylon collar that is fitted to the right size of your dog.

Harnesses, on the other hand, allow your pull to be spread evenly across their torso without any fear of damaging your dog’s neck. If your dog is hyper-active or hard to control, place him or her in a no-pull harness. These harnesses are made of soft nylon with a ring in front of the dog’s chest, instead of the top of its back.

Dog collars are easier to put on. Some dog harnesses can be difficult to get your dog in to. If you are turned off by all the straps and clips you need to put together with a dog harness, invest in a step-in dog harness so your dog simply steps in to the dog harness and you are ready to go.

Dog harnesses can also double as a seat belt for your dog. If you travel a lot, a dog harness can prevent your dog from moving around your car or jumping out the car. Your dog harness can be connected to your car’s seat belt to keep them safe and secure.

Both dog collars and dog harnesses can irritate your dog if he has sensitive skin. Find a soft dog harness or collar, and make sure they are the correct size. Both harnesses and collars have benefits when used with your dog, so decide what goal you are trying to achieve to make your best decision.

Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash

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Dog’s are naturally curious animals. It can be difficult for them to have to walk at our pace, since they are used to walking at a much quicker speed on their own. It is up to you to help him learn to walk on a leash with out pulling you along where he chooses to go.

It is important to establish your authority with your dog. Never be cruel with your animal when showing this authority. Build a good relationship with your dog as soon as you can to help with the training process.

When teaching your dog to use a leash, there are different techniques you can use. The most popular technique is to give a fast snap on the leash whenever your dog decides to pull against the leash. Stop walking with the animal until he stops pulling, and then positively reinforce him every time he lets the leash have any slack.

It is important to get a good training collar. Be careful when you use a choke collar, as this can cause damage to the vocal chords of your dog if used improperly. The best type of collar is one that won’t slip off, such as a nylon dog collar.

Find a good quality dog leash. The best size leashes are ones that are 4 to 6 feet long. Find a dog leash that is comfortable for your grip and has good craftsmanship.

Start training with the dog sitting on your left side. You should both be looking in the same direction. When you start walking, start out with your left foot. By using your left foot every time you walk it will give the signal to your dog that you are about to walk.

Be sure to walk at your usual pace. Your dog will need to get use to the speed that you walk, and not their pace. Talk to your dog while you are walking so they have fun on the walk with you.

Walk a short distance and stop. Praise your dog and tell her what a good job she has done. Practice this several times a day and keep it fun, and your dog will be trained in no time how to walk with a leash.

Celebrate This Year’s Super Bowl in Style

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Every year, millions of people get together to watch the famous Super Bowl show down. Fans of football definitely know how to have a good time. With the Super Bowl only weeks away, now is the time to prepare to celebrate the Super Bowl in Style.

Mostly everyone has been invited to a Super Bowl party at least once in their life. Everyone knows the usual routine of sitting around the TV watching the game while eating munchies or pizza. If you are tired of the same type of party, branch out and try something new!

Send out actual invites with the Super Bowl theme. If you send your invitations through email you will be able to personalize the teams, where if you are sending it through the postal office you probably won’t have that chance. Most people are just as happy with an email as they are with a written invitation.

Be a little more creative with your cuisine. Instead of having pizza, find food that is more on theme. For example, Taste of the NFL is currently selling a cookbook that is made specifically for Super Bowl Sunday and other special occasions, and your purchase will be donated towards “Feeding America”.

Don’t forget to dress up your dog! Have him wear a sport’s dog collar with your favored team’s logo around his neck. It will definitely be a sure-fire hit with the party.

Look up Super Bowl Trivia to play with your friends. You may be surprised with how much you and your friends know. This is a fun way to get in the spirit of game day.

Don’t forget to play games during the game to make it interesting. Provide paper balls for friends to throw at the TV when they are upset about a bad call. Take bets for how long the football game will last, who will win, etc.

Whatever games you decide, make sure you have awesome prizes for your friends. Again, if they have pets a festive football dog collar can be a great choice. Other good prizes are team jersey’s, Super Bowl mugs, a football, or a snack basket.

Why to Choose a Fancy Dog Collar

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If you have an adorable dog it only makes sense to buy an adorable dog collar to go along with it. But where can you find a fancy dog collar to buy for your dog or pet? Where can you find the perfect collar choice?

There are a lot of dog collars out there to choose from. More and more dog owners are becoming bigger fans of designer dog collars. Designer dog collars have a lot to offer, for both the dog and the owner.

Designer and handmade dog collars can be found online. Though you can sometimes find fancy dog collars in your local pet stores, there usually is a little more variety online. Some craft sites, such as Country Brook Design offer a lot of handmade items, which may peek your interest.

Designer dog collars come in a few different types, colors, themes, and styles. Find a unique dog collar that is special for your dog. Dog collars don’t need to be boring to be useful.

Many online designers are now designing fashionable dog collars. These top-end designer dog collars are being studded with diamonds and other expensive metals, like gold and silver. These designer dog collars are becoming more popular now for people who can afford them.

You, however, don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a great, designer dog collar. Designer dog collars can be made out of a variety of materials. You no longer have to settle for plain nylon collars. You can now also get them made with fancy ribbon.

Designer handmade dog collars give your dog the option of wearing a one-of-a kind dog collar. Designer dog collars give you the option of having your collar made specifically for your dog, and not the other way around.

A dog collar is a fun accessory. A fancy dog collar can easily show off your dog’s fun personality. Show off your fashion sense by dressing your dog in a fancy dog collar today.

Tips to Stop Your Dog From Pulling on His Leash

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Walking the DogI’m sure many of you have had a similar experience to the one I had last week. I decided to take my mother-in-law’s dog out for a walk, but ended up spending the majority of the time fighting her dog on the leash to keep her where I wanted her to be. It was frustrating and somewhat embarrassing when others walked by and saw my struggle.

If this sounds familiar, there is still hope for you. There are things you can do to fix the problem. First, be sure that you are using the right kind of leash and walking equipment. Some leashes work great for some dogs, but are useless for others.

Normally, when a dog pulls on a leash, it is because they can walk faster than we can and don’t want to wait up. Or they want to leave while we are standing around visiting with neighbors. This is a natural dog behavior, so you will need to train your dog how to keep slack on the leash.

Martingale Training CollarsA standard nylon buckle collar or a Martingale Collar is the best type of collar for training a dog how to stop pulling on a leash. Don’t try to use a choke collar because they can cause damage to your dog. Find a leash that is not too long, or too short, to give you apple of room to train. A standard six-foot dog leash should work great for this type of training exercise.

If your dog is constantly pulling away from you, a retractable lead will not work well. Body harnesses also are a bad idea if you have a bigger dog. They are not meant to be a leash training tool, so you will most likely find yourself continuing to struggle behind a dog that will go where he wants to go.

The best way to train your dog is by positively reinforcing the times they go where you want them to, and standing stiff when they pull you. Train your dog to keep slack in the leash and praise them. Training collars are also a good training device, though they are not meant to be a permanent control solution.

You can also try to train your dog where he will have little distractions. It may be a good idea to start training your dog indoors if you can. If that is not ideal, find a place where you can walk with him and he will listen to your commands without being distracted by people or animals nearby.

If you are lucky you can begin training with a puppy. However, do not fret. You can still teach an old dog some new tricks.