Wednesday, 16. September 2009
There are many different ways to choose a collar for your dog. I am just going to give you a few options on how to do so. I will list four ways here to be exact.
An easy first step to take is to measure the size of your dog’s neck. You can easily do this by using a tape measure. Once you have the measurements you can compare to the collar package. Be sure that you can always fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.
I would then tell you to find out exactly how much it is that your pet weighs. Most collar packages will tell you the weight range that it is meant for. You should be able tell how strong you will need the collar to be after this.
The third thing I would suggest is to be sure you pay attention to the material of the collar. Leather collars may break if pressure is applied for too long. This is something to also consider if you have an untrained dog that will tend to pull you around. One more tip about leather is that once it gets wet from being washed it is likely to start cracking.
The fourth thing I would recommend is to determine what the purpose of the collar is. Ask yourself if you are buying the collar for training purposes or for the simple purposes of identification or walking your dogs. If the collar is for training purposes you should go into a bit more detail on choosing one. If the collar is for the simple purpose of walking the dog than its a lot less complicated.
Choosing your dog’s collar is not a hard task to handle. As soon as you find out how much you want to spend on your collar and a good color and fit you should buy it. Just understand that training collars take more effort and research.
You can find out additional info on training collars here. T. Clark is an expert in dog training equipment.
Posted in Pets by Tom Clark -
Friday, 4. September 2009
Dog Owners should know the value of a dog leash. A dog leash is a great way to protect your pet from the dangers the outside world can hold.
Regardless of what breed of dog you own, an unsupervised pet can get in trouble. Most pet owners treat their pets like children, and just like a young child should not be outside without boundaries, neither should a dog.
There are numerous distractions outdoors that will tempt a dog to leave the yard. The roar of large trucks and motorcycles can cause a constant barking, and often times they will chase after the vehicle. This causes a distraction to the driver as well as danger to your dog.
Other distractions are wildlife. Birds, squirrels, rabbits and deer can make any well trained dog forget their manners and take off. By the time you look outside to check on your dog, they might be too far away to hear you. When they return many times they have rolled in something, smell quite bad and can acquire ticks as well. On trash pickup days, on the dog’s way home, they might stop and dig in a garbage can or two
Letting your dog wander the neighborhood can irritate your neighbors, especially if your dog decides to poop on their lawn or dig on their property. Young children can also be afraid if they are on bikes or running and yelling and a dog decides to bark or chase them. The dog might be playing, but young children might not realize this and can get hurt in their attempt to run away from the dog
Even if your dog is not aggressive, a stranger might approach the pet to read a dog tag or a young child sees a cute dog and hugs the dog and the dog nips or bites. This is a devastating situation for everyone: the injured, the owner and the confused dog. The pet owner is responsible.
The ideal solution is to fence your yard. If you do not have a yard, try visiting a Dog Park. Dog Parks are a perfect location for dogs to run and play with other dogs. Dog Parks are popping up all over these days. To find a Dog Park in your area, contact your local veterinarian.
Taking care of your dog is a huge responsibility, but it is your responsibility. Dogs must be monitored at all times. Putting your dog on a leash is an easy solution to keep your dog and those around him safe.
Dog Leashes come in many sizes and styles. For those who live in the city, 4 foot leashes are great; hands free dog leashes are ideal when exercising with your dog, couplers are made for walking multiple dogs; retractable leashes present your dog with a little more freedom; and a 6 foot leash is usually sold in one inch and 5/8 widths and will hold most dogs.
Even though playing with your dog unrestrained is pleasurable, dog owners must appreciate the implications of not leashing their dogs when appropriate. Joanne recommends keeping your dog safe by visiting Jakes Dog House for dog leashes of various designs and sizes.
Posted in Pets by Joanne Gallagher -