Archive for January, 2010
Pet ID Tags Make A Difference
Identification tags with up-to-date information attached to dog collars can easily be considered the most important go-together fashion accessories any dog will ever wear.
A lot of dogs are micro-chipped these days, in fact, the humane society I adopted my current dog from, micro-chips every dog that is adopted. I have been very blessed. I have never lost any of my dogs but, no matter how careful you are, there is always a chance. I was happy that my little Lucy got micro-chipped before I brought her home. That will be my second chance at recovering her if she should get lost. My first hope of recovery will always be the ID tag attached to her dog collar though. I have my name, address and telephone number on it. The reason for that is, I want my dog home with me as soon as possible. I don’t want her to have to spend one night in a humane society, afraid and alone. With an ID tag on her, if someone finds her, they can call me right away and I will be there for her. With no ID tag, they may or may not think to scan for a chip. If she is lost at night, there may not be anyone available to scan her until the morning and if it happens on a weekend, it could be a couple of days of not knowing what happened to my dog.
I am obviously a big advocate of ID tags. I am the person you will see pulling my car over and stopping on a busy street trying to catch the loose dog that is running through the rush hour traffic. It doesn’t happen very often, but every couple of years I catch a loose dog, afraid for his safety and I try to get him back to the rightful owners. Out of the last three dogs I have rounded up, only one had an ID tag on his dog collar. The owners came to pick it up within 15 minutes after the call. They were very relieved and happy to get there dog back. Of the other two that did not have tags on, I kept one over night and waited till the next day to call the police to see if anyone reported him missing. The second one I called the police about at night. They had animal control come and get him within the hour even though I offered all my contact info and said I would keep the dog for the night.
I can’t imagine what a stressful situation that would be for my little Lucy. I will always rely on the ID tags she has on her dog collar and hope that someone like me finds her.
Reflective Dog Collars Vs. Pet Blinking Lights
My Dad was sold on the blinking lights you can attach to your dog’s collar for evening walks for the added visibility. He even got me a couple for my dogs. I love my Dad but I just don’t get it. I am not sure, but maybe it was the novelty of the thing. What ever it was, he loved those blinking lights from the day he saw them at the store. He had several problems with them though. If he left it on the collar all the time, the dog would break it when he was playing. If he took it off the collar every time they came in from a walk, he would have trouble finding it when he wanted to take the dog for a walk the next time. Then their was the time they were in the middle of their evening stroll and the light just quit. Did the battery die? Did the light burn out? Is there a loose connection inside? Who knows? Sometimes, when they went for walks he would forget about the blinking light altogether so they had nothing to enhance their visibility at night.
To me, it makes more sense to just get a good reflective dog collar and leash (or a reflective dog harness if that is what your dog walks best in). I got reflective dog collars that actually glow in the dark after being exposed to light, for both of my dogs. I leave the collars on my dogs all the time. As a matter of fact, I even have their ID tags on the collars. When I am ready to go for an evening stroll or early morning walk, I don’t even have to think about it. I have nothing to turn on. I don’t have to take the time to find them. I don’t have to worry about breaking them or carrying a replacement in case they burn out. And as an added bonus, when my sneaky little Black Lab scoots out the door when she is not supposed to, I can still see her at night. I know even if she wanted me to find her, once she escaped, she would never think to turn that blinky thing on so I could see her even if she remembered to clip it on her collar before she took off.
When it comes right down to it, Dad can keep his blinking light. I am sticking with my glow-in-the-dark reflective dog collars.
Leather Dog Collars-The Classic Contemporary Dog Collar
I know it sounds like an oxymoron to call leather dog collars classic and contemporary at the same time, but it seems appropriate with these timeless dog collars. They have been considered functional and/or fashionable since their inception.
There was a time, however, when leather dog collars were considered to be a large breed collar, a working dog collar or a collar for an extremely strong dog. A German Shepard, a Doberman or a Pit Bull might come to mind. Not any more. From teacup breeds to toy breeds, all the way up to St Bernards and other giant breeds, dogs of all shapes and sizes enjoy the timeless fashion of leather dog collars.
Think about all the dog owners you know(including yourself). What is the one thing you all have in common? You all love your dogs and treat them as a member of the family. You take pride in showing them off.
When dogs sport leather dog collars, whether they are the traditional flat leather dog collars or rolled leather dog collars, it is almost like saying “My dog has a touch of class”.
Jeopardy Answer is Martingale Collar
The Jeopardy question is, “What is better than a buckle and safer than a choke?” That is right! Whether you use a leash or your hand, the martingale collar, also known as the Premier® collar, will give you greater control and reduce the risk of your dog escaping.
“Why”, you might ask, “is a martingale collar better than a buckle?” You have two choices when fitting a standard buckle collar on your dog-to0 tight or too loose. You can adjust it for the comfort of your dog and take the risk of him “backing out” of the collar if he is frightened, leaving you standing there with and empty collar blowing in the wind while your dog is running scared. Or you can adjust it snugly on your dogs neck, making it uncomfortable for the dog, possibly causing bald spots from the rubbing or excessive matting of the fur around the collar.
The second question you might ask-”Is a martingale dog collar really safer than a choke? Well, yes it is. The feature that makes it safer than a choke is the limited closure. Choke collars are called choke collars for a reason. They choke the dog and are often associated with neck and throat injuries when used improperly. They can also restrict both breathing and blood supply.
Dog Crate Pads For Your Dog’s Comfort
Dog crates have become a staple in the homes of many dog owners. When a young dog is home alone, it provides a protected environment for the dog and it prevents destructive behavior. As the dog gets older and is trusted enough to be left out of the crate when he is home alone, the crate often stays in place. It is almost like giving the dog his own room. When the hustle and bustle of everyday life gets to be to much for him, you will often find him laying in his crate. It is his safe haven.
Because your dog is part of the family, you want to afford him some degree of comfort in his “bedroom”. You throw a towel or a blanket in the crate for him, but they get bunched up and aren’t really all that comfortable. Dog crate pads offer thick padding and are made to fit in standard size crates. A good dog crate pad is made with a dog’s comfort in mind. Some crate pads even provide a soft bumper with notched corners.
Look for a crate pad that is thick, durable and washable and will fit in the crate without sliding around.
Gentle Leader Vs. The Halti
I read an article on line the other day by a gentleman that apparently did not take the time to research what he was talking about. He lumped the Halti and the Gentle Leader Headcollar together and actually said that the Gentle Leader was sometimes called a Halti. Although some people do refer to the Gentle Leader as a Halti and they may look similar, they are definitely not the same.
The following is a direct quote from Jim Hodges article, “The Gentle Leader Dog Leash-Should I Or Shouldn’t I?”. “The disadvantages of the Gentle Leader are that it is a restraining device rather than a training tool. Its purpose is really only for walking your dog. The dog will probably become “collar smart” which means you will have to use the Gentle Leader every single time you want to take your dog for a walk. It is not designed to work on other dog behaviors. Your dog may go through some spastic reactions while learning to wear it.”
While everything he said in the above statement is probably true about the Halti, it is certainly not true about the Gentle Leader. A previous post on this blog that you can look up under the Gentle Leader catagory titled “7 Reasons Why A Gentle Leader Headcollar is Better Than A Halti”, I touched on some obvious differences, but that was only the tip of the iceberg.
The Halti is basically a restraining device recommended only for walking your dog. On the other hand, the Gentle Leader is a great training aid for teaching your dog basic commands and the prevention and management of a number of behavior problems.
The Gentle Leader comes with a comprehensive 65 page guide on how to use it effectively along with a DVD to demonstrate how to use it. If the time is taken to watch the DVD and read the instruction guide before using it, I am sure that even Mr Hodges would be impressed by the results that can be achieved when the Gentle Leader is used properly.
Is Your Dog’s Collar Putting Him In Danger
When Tenny Mudge’s beloved dog Chinook got his collar entangled and was strangled, it devastated her. This is not an isolated incident. Thousands of dogs are strangled or injured by their collars every year.
Chinook’s needless death put Tenny Mudge on a mission to help prevent other families from experiencing the same devastation. She devoted herself to developing KeepSafe break away dog collars and has dedicated it to the memory of Chinook and all dogs who have lost their lives in collar accidents. It is the only dog collar with a break away safety buckle designed to release when excessive force is applied to prevent collar injuries. It successfully passed rigorous laboratory and field testing by veterinarians, trainers and breeders.
By attaching the leash to both D-rings, you can walk your dog with the same control you would have with a traditional dog collar.
Reduce Your Dog’s Joint Pain With Swimming
Exercising a senior dog or a dog that suffers from joint pain is just as important, if not more so, than a healthy dog. Lack of exercise can cause weight gain, which in turn, can cause arthritis or aggravate an existing condition of arthritis and make joint pain even more intense.
Swimming, or hydrotherapy is an excellent alternative to running and walking to exercise senior dogs and dogs with arthritis. Dogs that have broken a leg will also find great benefit in swimming when the leg has healed but is still weak and hurts.
Whether your dog swims in a pool, a pond, a lake or the ocean, this low impact exercise will give him a cardiovascular workout as well as help strengthen bones and muscles. When a joint is exercised it helps keep it lubricated and will alleviate some of the stiffness associated with arthritis.
A dog life jacket or dog life vest should always be used. Aside from the safety factor, it will add extra bouyancy, allowing your dog to exercise for longer periods of time before becoming fatigued.
Swimming is an excellent exercise for almost all dogs, but check with your vet to see if hydrotherapy is a viable option for a senior dog or an arthritic dog before taking him out on the water.
Should You Use a Dog Harness for Your Dog
Most dogs today wear a collar, whether it is a flat collar, a martingale dog collar, a choke collar or some other variation of the dog collar. A dog collar may not be the best choice for controlling your dog though.
Not all dogs can tolerate the pressure that a collar puts on the throat area. Some dog breeds are at risk for trachea problems. Some dogs wheeze, snort or cough more than other dogs. For these dogs, a dog harness can actually be a safer alternative to the collar. Because a harness distributes the weight around a dog’s body as it pulls, it prevents the choking effect that a collar would have.
For the dog that tugs excessively when walking, an Easy Walk Dog Harness can eliminate the problem. It gently discourages dogs from pulling.
Crate Training Your Dog Made Easy
Not all dogs are receptive to the idea of being placed in a crate but introducing your dog to a crate does not have to be a traumatic experience for you or your dog. Here are some helpful hints to make it easier for both of you.
- Do not force your dog or puppy into the crate.
- Focus your energy on creating a positive experience for your dog every time he enters the crate.
- Place the crate in a room wear you and your family spend a lot of time.
- Place a crate pad in the bottom of the crate for your dogs comfort. Dog crate pads are made for all standard sized crates.
- Leave the crate door opened, allowing your dog to explore the crate. Praise him every time he goes in to the crate.
- Toss some treats into the crate. When your dog enters the crate on his own he will find them. You can also feed your dog in the crate. Your goal is to get your dog to go completely into the crate on his own. If he has a favorite toy, toss that in there.
- Once your dog feels comfortable about going into the crate on his own, close the door and leave him in it for short periods of time while you are home and in the room.
- When your dog is comfortable staying in the closed crate for at least a half hour, you are ready to start leaving your dog crated for short periods of time when you leave the house. Toss a treat in the crate along with his favorite toy. Make sure that any toy you leave in his crate is safe(no toys he can swallow or choke on).
- If you need to leave your dog locked in his crate at night, consider placing the crate next to your bed so your dog will not feel so isolated.
- Keep in mind that puppies do not have the bladder control that an adult dog does, so be ready to get up at least once during the night to let him out.
The dog crate you get for your dog should be large enough for your dog to comfortably turn around in and lay down in. If you put a puppy in a crate That is too large, he will be able to relieve himself without having to lay in it. If your puppy is a large breed dog and you purchase a crate based on the adult size, block off part of the crate. Dogs don’t like to lay in their own mess.