It was a jungle when I started looking at collars for the dog, and one was cuter than the other. There are really lots to choose from.
What should you choose for collars for the dog? Dog collars are available as fixed collars, half-choke, and choke collars. If you have a dog that wants to escape or that you have major problems with, the choke collar may be preferable. If you have no problems at all, it is an ordinary fixed collar that you should choose. If the dog pulls a little, a half-throat may be the best choice. Many people opt out of collars altogether and instead use a harness or noseband.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT COLLARS?
FIXED COLLARS
A fixed collar is just as it sounds like a fixed collar and does not change when the dog pulls on it. It is often made of leather and with several different holes in it to adjust its length as the puppy grows. If you do not have any special problems with your dog, this is preferable because you risk harming the dog the least with it.
HALF STRANGLE COLLARS
A half-strangle collar is a collar that is tightened a little when the dog pulls. The advantage of this is that it is tightened a little but not the whole collar, and you do not risk strangling the dog if you have a half-strangled collar. But if you have a dog that pulls many tries to escape, it may not be the best choice.
STRANGLE COLLARS
A choke collar where the collar itself goes through a loop. The collar itself is often a chain. The leash can be quickly tightened if the dog tries to dodge or if it suddenly starts to pull very much because it goes through a loop.
HARNESS
Because the dog’s neck is sensitive, injuries will occur if the dog is allowed to pull too much. When using the harness, the idea is to relieve the dog’s neck.
The harnesses can be designed a little differently. They can both look like x, y, or be shaped like an eight. The harness has a metal ring on the back where you attach the leash. Some harnesses have a loop on the chest.
A disadvantage of using a harness is that the dog becomes stronger and gets more power if it should pull. You have less control over it. But many write that their dogs pull less if they have a harness instead of a leash.
The dog harness with the ring on the chest works so that if the dog pulls, its own force is used to turn it towards you. It turns as if against you if it suddenly starts to run forward.
There are also special harnesses to get the dog to walk nicely on a leash. They are designed so that every time the dog pulls or that you pull on the leash, the loops will be pulled up to the dog’s armpits and rub. In this way, the dog will learn not to pull.
WHAT DID WE CHOOSE FOR collar AND LINK FOR OUR PUPPY?
We chose a fixed collar (adjustable) and a matching leash. The daughter had searched through lots of online stores, and a collar with a matching leash in beige checkered was apparently what you should have.
We also tried to use different kinds of harnesses.
HOW LARGE COLLAR SHOULD YOU BUY FOR A GOLDENDOODLE?
When you hire a puppy, you do not know how big it will be until it is time to pick it up. So here we got a chance.
The first checkered collar we ordered was very large, even if you tightened it as much as you could. We ordered one that was 45 cm.
Luckily, I had also bought a leather collar during a lot of protests from my daughter. I did not want to take a chance. The leather collar was admittedly also 45 cm, but it is measured in the largest position. There were many smaller holes you could use. In the worst case, you could also make more holes, but it was never needed.
Since the sewn leash in fabric did not work, we had to use black in leather. I felt happy that I bought it despite all my daughter’s protests.
HOW SHOULD THE DOG WALK IN A LEASH?
When you are out for a walk, it is good if it flows smoothly. I do not want the walks to be ruined by the dog pulling me over or pulling me down.
Of course, it looks elegant when you see the interaction between certain dogs and dog owners! The dog walks nicely on the left side of its owner without pulling on the leash. But, sometimes you might need a dog training course.
How do I get the dog to walk nicely on a leash? There are many different schools here. Some say that you should make a sound and jerk a little light on the leash. Others say that you should stop and let the dog sit down if it pulls. It should not be an effective way for the dog to get there faster.
We have made him walk on the left side almost only by holding out the leash with his arm and pulling a little to the left if he tries to cross my path. Sometimes he even involuntarily got a kick, I stepped on him, etc., when he infected in front of me. It is important to be with every second. Otherwise, an accident easily happens. There is also the risk that the dog will kill me if it walks in front of me instead of next to it.
When it comes to not pulling the leash, we have not really found how to do it, I must admit. I do not think that either jerking the leash or staying has been particularly effective. When I have dog food with me on the walk, I experience improved hearing and walk a little better in the cup. But I’ve actually been thinking about getting him an anti-traction harness. The goal is to get the walks in order until it is winter and slippery, so I do not have to break anything.
