Tag Archives: collars

How to Use a Choke Chain Properly

When I wrote about why we never leave home without Murph’s choke chain, I mentioned a recent incident where I ran across someone who took exception to my using a choke chain on Murph. It’s not the first time it’s happened. I wasn’t always key on the idea of a choke chain myself. I remember thinking, “Wow. That seems like kind of a mean way to discipline a dog.” But that’s before my neighbor shared a video with me where a guy gave a great explanation on how to use a choke chain humanely. (Unfortunately I don’t remember either the … Continue reading →

Moose and the Collar Trick

Before Moose got hit by a car back in June, I was lamenting his collar trick. You see, Moose has a big head — most German shepherds have a narrow skull, but Moose is crossed with something that has a big, square skull. (The vet suggested a pit bull or a rottweiler.) He’s also got a big neck and lots of thick fur. All that adds up to trouble for me and Moose and the collar. As much as I tighten the collar, he can still somehow slip out of it. The diameter of his neck must be bigger than … Continue reading →

Training Your Dog With the Gentle Leader

Wearing a Gentle Leader is going to be an unusual experience for your dog — especially if he’s only used to wearing a traditional collar. The nose loop may feel very weird, kind of like a person wearing glasses for the very first time. His nose may itch or tickle. What might your dog do to resist the Gentle Leader? Paw at his face. Roll on the ground. Rub his face on furniture, people’s legs, or the carpet. Bark or whine. Petting your dog and telling him “it’s okay” will reinforce this behavior. Save the praise for when he is … Continue reading →

Make That Walk Pleasant For Both Of You!

If you don’t have fun walking your dog, you won’t want to do it very often. It’s a simple equation! A dog who drags you around, doesn’t behave, and won’t listen isn’t a very fun walking partner. But what can you do? Use the right collar. Choke chains and prong collars may be useful for training but may not be comfortable for a walk. Try a harness or a gentle leader, which change the area of pull; a regular collar puts pull on the neck while a harness puts the pull at the chest and a gentle leader turns the … Continue reading →

Preventing A Lost Pet

Sometimes, prevention is the best solution to a lost pet. Make sure your yard is pet-proof. Check for gaps in the fence or holes underneath. Don’t stack things near the fence where your dog or cat could climb up and over! Make sure your home is pet-proof. A dog or cat can easily jump out an open window if it doesn’t have screens. A dog or cat can push open a door that doesn’t latch properly. Keep up the maintenance on all doors and windows! Keep gates and doors securely closed and locked. The best fence in the world will … Continue reading →