Dog Harness
By : Michael J Hrynewich
Dog harness...as a pet owner, there are several schools of thought when it comes to choosing from a collar, martingale collar, and a dog harness.
The question always seems to come up on which is best for training, walking, and hanging tags. It seems everyone has a different opinion and with so many qualified people expressing their view, the decision can be daunting.
The right choice depends on several factors and the first question to ask your self is, "what goal am I trying to accomplish." If obedience training is your goal than which commands you are teaching will determine the right choice. For example if the "come" command is the lesson then a training collar is best; if teaching your dog to walk on a leash without pulling is the lesson than a dog harness works best.
The reason a dog harness is better for walking is most pet owners fit a choke collar on their dog incorrectly, which can damage their throat, where as a dog harness spreads the pull evenly across the chest and legs without damage to the dog. For walking the seemingly uncontrollable dog, outfitting him or her with a no-pull dog harness is the best choice.
These no-pull dog harnesses are made from soft nylon with the leash attached to the ring in front of the chest instead of the top of the back. When your pooch tries to pull ahead on a walk, a quick tug on the leash and the harness zaps the power out of your dog forcing him/her to walk properly.
What turns most people off about harnesses is the difficulty getting it on their dog. If you have pulled some of these out of the package just looking at all, the straps and clips is enough to think you are putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Step in dog harnesses are much easier to fit on your dog. You simply have to hold the dog harness open and step your pooch right in.
The next issue to dog harnesses is some dogs have sensitive skin and the material can irritate your dog. When this happens, your dog begins to chew at the harness and in no time will have it in shreds. The solution is a soft dog harness. Puppia Soft Dog Harnesses have received rave reviews for their easy fit, they are stylish yet functional, and soft fabric is great for sensitive skin.
Some harnesses also double as a seat belt for your dog when traveling. If you are a pet owner who likes to take your pooch everywhere visiting family and friends then this perfect to prevent your dog from jumping out the car when you reach your destination. Like a child, your dog needs to be restrained in the car to keep them safe and secure.
While collars are great for hanging the necessary tags and will always have their place in certain training commands, dog harnesses are wonderful for everything else. From small dog harnesses, to training no-pull dog harnesses you will find the one that best fits your goals as well as comfort for your pooch.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J_Hrynewich
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Dog Harnesses For Toy Breeds - A Smart and Stylish Choice
Dog Harness
By : Donna O'Connor
Dog harness for toy breeds-the frightening sounds of coughing,
shallow breathing or in the extreme, listening to you tiny
Maltese honk like barnyard goose...
For those of us who own toy breeds, the frightening sounds of coughing, shallow breathing or in the extreme, listening to your tiny Maltese honk like a barnyard goose may be all too familiar. Most often these symptoms result from an irritated, or in more severe cases, a collapsed trachea. Although these symptoms are unnerving to those new dog owners who are not familiar with this ailment, it is a fairly common one. Estimates range that between 20-40% of toy breed dogs will develop some sort of tracheal disorder. The highest risk breeds are among our tiniest canine companions: Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Italian Greyhounds, Maltese, and Toy Poodles.
If your little dog occasionally exhibits these symptoms, you may notice that a tug on your dog's collar, while out for a walk, may suddenly bring them on. It is important to understand that tracheal disorders are congenital. A tug on a collar rarely, if ever will cause a collapsed trachea. However it can certainly exacerbate an already existing problem or turn a predisposition into the problem. Tugging on a collar can easily cause the irritation that leads to coughing, which in turn, further irritates the trachea.
So, whether you are trying to curb the energy and exuberance of your new puppy friend, take control of your dog in unsafe situations, or just take your pup out to answer nature's call, harnesses are the perfect choice for toy breed dogs. Designed to allow your dog to push with the chest rather than the throat, a properly fitted harness removes pressure from your tiny dog's sensitive trachea. Even for small dogs without tracheal concerns, harnesses are best because they distribute pressure more evenly around the dog's body, and are therefore much more comfortable. For "Houdini' hounds, harnesses provide an escape proof alternative to the classic collar that can sometimes allow your dog to pull its head back through it. Toy breed dog collars should be worn to look wonderful and to hold tags only, not for leash attachment.
Once you have made the decision to shop for a harness, there are a myriad of harnesses to choose from. Unfortunately, for the first-time harness buyer, it's like trying to buy athletic underwear - for someone else! I have talked to numerous little dog owners who can pull a harness that didn't work out of the back of the closet. Too often, what starts off with the best intentions, ends up being an exercise in frustration. But, like anything you want to feel good about and have for a while, acquiring the right harness takes some planning.
At Moondoggie, Inc. we offer the following advice to our toy breed customers:
TAKE 3 MEASUREMENTS - around your dog's neck, along the length of your dog's back (topline) from where the collar lays to the base of your dog's tail, and around the biggest part of your dog (girth) which is usually just behind the front legs. ADD 2 inches to the girth measurement.
THINK COMFORT - Avoid harnesses that have pressure spots where they can rub and irritate your dog's skin. Nylon and some unfinished leathers have a tendency to do that. Choose soft fabrics that "breathe". 100% cotton, or soft, porous, semi-stretch, neoprene blends are great because they are machine washable and dry quickly. If leather is what you want, try rounded or "tubular" leather, and although it may be a bit more expensive, purchase a buttery soft leather dog harness. It will last forever, continue to soften with age, and look fabulous!
LOVE WHAT YOU CHOOSE - If you love the harness you've chosen, you'll be motivated to help your dog learn to love it too. Like dog collars and other forms of dog clothing, dog harnesses come in a variety of themes - preppie, rocker, classic, biker, princess, surfer, athletic, camouflage, floral, patriotic, modern, vintage, even psychedelic! They also come in a standard adjustable style, a vest style, and a flexi style (meaning the head goes through the neck opening with the strap going up and around the dog's belly with a quick release mechanism on the side). For those of us who love to dress our little dogs, there's no need to strap a harness over a beautiful outfit. Now, even the most adorable dog dresses, dog tee shirts and even little dog polo shirts are designed with sturdy harnesses built right into them!
HAVE FUN - Dogs are creatures of habit. As you have probably already experienced, new things are approached with caution and often resistance. Introducing a harness into your dog's already contented life may require some creativity and more than a little patience. Be prepared and keep your sense of humor when attempting to harness your dog for the first time. Beware of the classic canine defensive move, when first approached with a harness, which is the rollover. Sometimes it happens before you even get close. More often it occurs just when you think it was a breeze and you can snap that buckle, and in a flash your pup rolls over and turns into dead weight. When you try to put your pup back on all fours, he suddenly develops "jelly legs"! Another maneuver to expect is the "I just want to see what you're doing" twirl. It is next to impossible to put a harness on a dog while it is trying to watch what your hands are doing! (It is pretty funny to watch someone try to, though.)
To avoid these challenges, we recommend that you lift and place your dog on a bench or table where you have more control over the action and your dog has less room to maneuver. Talking to your dog in your "good dog" voice also helps. But most of all make each time you put on your dog's harness a prelude to a ride in the car, or a walk to the park, a cookie treat, or something really fun. If you make the association between the harness and the subsequent positive activity really clear, it won't take more than a few times before your dog is so happy about wearing the harness, getting him to stop wiggling with excitement will be your only challenge!
Harnesses are essential for the health and safety of your toy breed pup. Well worth the initial shenanigans that may be required to coax your baby into one, they can be fun and fashionable too! Once you start harness shopping, we would like to offer one final word of caution. Your dog may not be the only one that gets "hooked"!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_O'Connor
By : Donna O'Connor
Dog harness for toy breeds-the frightening sounds of coughing,
shallow breathing or in the extreme, listening to you tiny
Maltese honk like barnyard goose...
For those of us who own toy breeds, the frightening sounds of coughing, shallow breathing or in the extreme, listening to your tiny Maltese honk like a barnyard goose may be all too familiar. Most often these symptoms result from an irritated, or in more severe cases, a collapsed trachea. Although these symptoms are unnerving to those new dog owners who are not familiar with this ailment, it is a fairly common one. Estimates range that between 20-40% of toy breed dogs will develop some sort of tracheal disorder. The highest risk breeds are among our tiniest canine companions: Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Italian Greyhounds, Maltese, and Toy Poodles.
If your little dog occasionally exhibits these symptoms, you may notice that a tug on your dog's collar, while out for a walk, may suddenly bring them on. It is important to understand that tracheal disorders are congenital. A tug on a collar rarely, if ever will cause a collapsed trachea. However it can certainly exacerbate an already existing problem or turn a predisposition into the problem. Tugging on a collar can easily cause the irritation that leads to coughing, which in turn, further irritates the trachea.
So, whether you are trying to curb the energy and exuberance of your new puppy friend, take control of your dog in unsafe situations, or just take your pup out to answer nature's call, harnesses are the perfect choice for toy breed dogs. Designed to allow your dog to push with the chest rather than the throat, a properly fitted harness removes pressure from your tiny dog's sensitive trachea. Even for small dogs without tracheal concerns, harnesses are best because they distribute pressure more evenly around the dog's body, and are therefore much more comfortable. For "Houdini' hounds, harnesses provide an escape proof alternative to the classic collar that can sometimes allow your dog to pull its head back through it. Toy breed dog collars should be worn to look wonderful and to hold tags only, not for leash attachment.
Once you have made the decision to shop for a harness, there are a myriad of harnesses to choose from. Unfortunately, for the first-time harness buyer, it's like trying to buy athletic underwear - for someone else! I have talked to numerous little dog owners who can pull a harness that didn't work out of the back of the closet. Too often, what starts off with the best intentions, ends up being an exercise in frustration. But, like anything you want to feel good about and have for a while, acquiring the right harness takes some planning.
At Moondoggie, Inc. we offer the following advice to our toy breed customers:
TAKE 3 MEASUREMENTS - around your dog's neck, along the length of your dog's back (topline) from where the collar lays to the base of your dog's tail, and around the biggest part of your dog (girth) which is usually just behind the front legs. ADD 2 inches to the girth measurement.
THINK COMFORT - Avoid harnesses that have pressure spots where they can rub and irritate your dog's skin. Nylon and some unfinished leathers have a tendency to do that. Choose soft fabrics that "breathe". 100% cotton, or soft, porous, semi-stretch, neoprene blends are great because they are machine washable and dry quickly. If leather is what you want, try rounded or "tubular" leather, and although it may be a bit more expensive, purchase a buttery soft leather dog harness. It will last forever, continue to soften with age, and look fabulous!
LOVE WHAT YOU CHOOSE - If you love the harness you've chosen, you'll be motivated to help your dog learn to love it too. Like dog collars and other forms of dog clothing, dog harnesses come in a variety of themes - preppie, rocker, classic, biker, princess, surfer, athletic, camouflage, floral, patriotic, modern, vintage, even psychedelic! They also come in a standard adjustable style, a vest style, and a flexi style (meaning the head goes through the neck opening with the strap going up and around the dog's belly with a quick release mechanism on the side). For those of us who love to dress our little dogs, there's no need to strap a harness over a beautiful outfit. Now, even the most adorable dog dresses, dog tee shirts and even little dog polo shirts are designed with sturdy harnesses built right into them!
HAVE FUN - Dogs are creatures of habit. As you have probably already experienced, new things are approached with caution and often resistance. Introducing a harness into your dog's already contented life may require some creativity and more than a little patience. Be prepared and keep your sense of humor when attempting to harness your dog for the first time. Beware of the classic canine defensive move, when first approached with a harness, which is the rollover. Sometimes it happens before you even get close. More often it occurs just when you think it was a breeze and you can snap that buckle, and in a flash your pup rolls over and turns into dead weight. When you try to put your pup back on all fours, he suddenly develops "jelly legs"! Another maneuver to expect is the "I just want to see what you're doing" twirl. It is next to impossible to put a harness on a dog while it is trying to watch what your hands are doing! (It is pretty funny to watch someone try to, though.)
To avoid these challenges, we recommend that you lift and place your dog on a bench or table where you have more control over the action and your dog has less room to maneuver. Talking to your dog in your "good dog" voice also helps. But most of all make each time you put on your dog's harness a prelude to a ride in the car, or a walk to the park, a cookie treat, or something really fun. If you make the association between the harness and the subsequent positive activity really clear, it won't take more than a few times before your dog is so happy about wearing the harness, getting him to stop wiggling with excitement will be your only challenge!
Harnesses are essential for the health and safety of your toy breed pup. Well worth the initial shenanigans that may be required to coax your baby into one, they can be fun and fashionable too! Once you start harness shopping, we would like to offer one final word of caution. Your dog may not be the only one that gets "hooked"!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_O'Connor
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