Muzzles are disliked by many dog owners, because we automatically associate a dog wearing a muzzle with aggression. But actually there’s a wide range of situations in which muzzles are required by the law (for example on public transport). With appropriate training, your dog should have no problem wearing a well-fitted muzzle.
Continue reading “How to choose the perfect muzzle for your dog”
Leash might be a piece of equipment you’ve never given much thought to, but believe me, they were not all created equal. This post will help you choose the most appropriate leash for you and your dog based on your activities and needs.
The main leash types you’ll encounter are:
Continue reading “How to choose the perfect leash for you and your dog”
The harness vs. collar debate sometimes sounds like a religious war but there are pros and cons to both. If you’re considering buying a harness, this post will help make an informed decision.
We will talk about harness types for everyday use:
Continue reading “How to choose the perfect harness for your dog”
If you want to get two dog trainers to fight, you should ask them if your dog should be wearing a collar or a harness, or if you should “barf” them [Bones And Raw Food]. We are not going to tell you what to do, instead we explain what kinds of collars are out there and when they are good.
Collars are usually made of nylon, leather or textiles, and most will have metal or plastic clasps. The clasp should be located next to the ring to which you attach the leash 1.
Just like with leashes, the choice of material is a matter of taste. The broader a collar, the better – in case your dog suddenly pulls, the force will be distributed over a larger surface.
The collar should be:
Moreover, make sure that no hair is caught in the clasp and that the tag with your phone number is securely fixed and you’re ready to go.
Continue reading “How to choose the right collar for your dog”
I’m starting a series of shorter blog posts focused on “dog training 101” – so far I’ve planned posts about praise, rewards, equipment, and body language. If there’s anything you’d like to read about, be sure to let me know!
Let’s start with good, old-fashioned praise. It’s a really simple tool that’s always at hand, and can make a big difference in your relationship with your dog. Praising your dog means saying things like “good boy/girl”, “well done”, “yes” etc. Dogs obviously have no idea what these words mean, so the most important thing is the tone of voice you’re using (soft, pleasant or high-pitched if you’re cheering them on).
Sadly, most of the dog owners can be divided into two groups: those who never praise their dogs and those who seem to think that praise alone is enough. Both groups are somewhat wrong – let’s take a closer look.
Praise can be rewarding
Some dogs truly crave our approval and for them praise can be rewarding. It may also work in well-known environments (at home, in the car) where it’s easy for them to pay attention.
Praise is always informative
Even if it’s not intrinsically rewarding, it still contains the information to the dog that we liked something they did, which makes it a valuable training tool.
Praise is always readily available
We’re all just human and we forget treats from time to time. With praise you can let your dog know that you appreciate their effort and you can do it immediately, way before you have the time to find that piece of sausage.
Praise can improve your relationship with your dog
Last, but not least praising is fun. If you make a conscious effort to praise more, you’ll learn to see all these awesome behaviours (and stop taking them for granted). Then the “misdemeanours” will just be a few instances among many great successes.
In return, you might find your dog checking in with you more often, which – let’s be honest – is pretty rewarding to us.
