My boy is a real escape artist, and I mean real - Julius K9, loads that people have recommended as being for 'Houdini dogs'. He also chews through leashes, including a beautiful, very expensive leather and brass….which he neatly chewed into 8 inch lengths when I was foolish enough to leave it below 6 feet up....the only thing I trust my boy to be tethered in is his current harness - a Ruffwear Webmaster. For walking, yes, a martingale (and oddly enough, Butu has never worked the trick when slack), but I'd definitely not trust him tethered. I'd get him one of these, and probably a chain and trust him in an open stall where he can see you and you can chat....I'd make the chain long enough that he could stand in the entrance, but could go inside the stall if he wants a sleep, drink, food from his bowls....do not let him near tack, horses feeding stuff, horse's anything - and I'd be cautious about hay too.... Chealsie508 - have you tried these (Ruffwear Webmaster?) If this hadn't worked I was going for a Ruffwear Doubleback, which costs a serious amount of money (but when I think of the number of useless harnesses I've bought..) but is the nearest thing I've seen to a doggie straitjacket - it's used by those people who drag labradors rock climbing....
http://www.ruffwear.co.uk/dog-gear/harnesses/doubleback-harness
Collar Question
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I don't use choke collars at all, because I think the are pretty ineffective training tools. I prefer to use a martingale or limited slip nylon collar. Below is a link to the collars I use. A basenji puppy into adult would need a Small 3/4"
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Depends on the dog.. they are all different and a 6 month old is not fully mature, so if you get on to fit him now, most likey will grow out of it… and why do you want a choke chain to begin with? Unless he is used to it, you will most likely have a very unpleasant time with him... and unless you know how to use one properly you can really hurt your pup. Get a regular collar, one that is adjustable, that way as he grows up you can make it bigger. I would guess that his neck size is around 10" at this time or smaller, but you could/should call your breeder and ask... and then of course, your breeder should supply one for him when you pick him up....
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The breeder is against collars. he only uses a harness and only when walking the dog. I have a choke chain for my other dog (mutt) and use it whenever I walk the dog and have no trouble yet. That's the third dog my parents have had and all have used choke chains. Where would I find the martingale collars?
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Here's another photo of a martingale type collar and a description of why they work well
http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=12781
(small brag, the model dog is one that I raised and placed - proud grandma!)I prefer martingles because they do tighten like a choke when the dog pulls so they can't back out, but they don't have the "choking" effect of a chain.
Lots of people like harnesses too, and they are certainly secure, but I wonder / worry if they teach the dog to pull. So many people complain to me that they wish their basenji didn't pull.
I personally use a really wide 2" martingale collar that is padded for every day / out for a walk. I use a buckle collar for obed / rally training, because I don't want to be tempted to use the collar as a training tool. My friend makes my collars for me, but if you search the net for "hound collars" you might find something.
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I don't like harnesses at all, regardless of the pulling issue, to me they restrict the shoulder movement.. and have developed lameness problems.
Again, choke chains are not a good choice… in my opinion... The martingale collars are great for everyday walking, but they should not be left on if the dog is unattended, they can get their mouths in and stuck in the loop... Both my OJ and Mickii did that once... of course I don't leave collars on at home since Mickii would eat them off the other...ggg
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The breeder is against collars. he only uses a harness and only when walking the dog. I have a choke chain for my other dog (mutt) and use it whenever I walk the dog and have no trouble yet. That's the third dog my parents have had and all have used choke chains. Where would I find the martingale collars?
Why is he against collars? Who is the breeder? Most harnessess just encourage dogs to pull…think sled dogs...what do they wear? Harnessess,to gain leverage to pull....
I am sure you have had success with choke chains...it's just that there are more effective, comfortable, safe collars today.
There is a link to premier collars in my prior post, and Brenda just posted a link. You can also google "martingale collars"
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He has had problems with the dogs climbing and their collars getting stuck on knobs and such.
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They can do the same in a harness? I think you mean if they are left inside with the collars on… the question was why does he not like collar and use harnesses instead?...
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I'm not sure why he doesn't like to walk with the collars, but I have met all his dogs and they are really well mannered so I don't see a problem using a collar being that I like them better because of convenience.
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He has had problems with the dogs climbing and their collars getting stuck on knobs and such.
huh…weird....well...choke collars are the worst for that..so maybe that is why he suggested no collar at all. IMO, dogs shouldn't be so unsupervised that they are scaling dressers or doors and getting their collars caught...but, JMO...I guess accidents can happen...but it is WAY more likely that a dog will slip out the front door and be lost forever without ID, than it is for a dog to die in a collar related death.
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Andrea is pointing out one of the greatest debates I've seen on lists for the last 10 yrs: which is worse, risk of collar related injury or risk of getting loose without ID? I think this comes down to a personal decision based on a personal situation.
I think the question here is what kind of collar to wear on a walk, and I like the martingale. 14" for young adult, as I recall. My females are wearing 14"-16" diameter collars now. Have fun shopping! -
My dogs wear rounded leather collars w/ID tags inside – well, Keoki WILL when he stops growing. In the meantime he wears an adjustable.
For walks w/Jazz I do use a choke collar. It is loose most of the time, and any correction is just a quick pop and release, so there's no "choking" effect.
I have a martingale for her, but I don't like it; it's less effective for her. I do plan to try it w/Keoki later, so don't know what I'll use with him on walks. Right now his regular collar is working fine because he hasn't started pulling yet.
With Gypsy I use a harness because she pulls less with the harness; she pulls HARD against any collar I've ever used.
I play it by ear w/every dog I get and just use what works best w/the individual dogs. -
I've been wanting to buy one of those martingale collars which are thicker around the neck and have a fancy design on them. I've been googleing them but only find the ones for Greyhounds and am unsure what size to buy since our little guy is 6mts. He doesn't need a turtle neck collar. Any ideas?
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There is a vendor at the shows in the Bay area that sells them, I only visit occasionally so I can't think of the name, but I bought one last fall at the Del Valle shows. That's easist, 'cause you can try them on. Many are adjustable tho, so even buying on line should be fine.
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If in doubt, buy 2-3 collars and try them on your dog when you get him. Return the unused ones to the store when you take your pooch shopping.
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Here is an article that discusses the pros and cons of various collars and no pull harnesses.
http://www.treattotrain.com/Soggy%20Paws%20June%2012%202005.pdf -
@Vanessa626:
I've been wanting to buy one of those martingale collars which are thicker around the neck and have a fancy design on them. I've been googleing them but only find the ones for Greyhounds and am unsure what size to buy since our little guy is 6mts. He doesn't need a turtle neck collar. Any ideas?
Vannessa, if you email the woman at All Hounds Apparel and tell her you have a basenji, she should be able to help you. There are many of us in Northern Califonia with collars from her. http://www.allhoundsapparel.com
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This one is a tuffy to say the least
I think everyone has an opinion on what works & doesn't work for them. And I can honestly tell you that I have tried a number of collars AND leads LOL
Talk about trial and error. My poor husband is so confused now he's like WHAT COLLAR WHAT LEAD??In the end we use a martingale leash (simple a martingale collar attached to a 6ft leash) to walk them & at first we used a gentle leader or snoot loop to train to walk nicely. Training them with this takes time & lots of effort.
When they go on their extra long (25 ft) exploring walk (I only use this in large field or hiking when I know no one else or no other dogs will be around) I use their harnesses BUT the harness I use attaches to the lead at the top of their backs not in front. So really it's whatever is more effective for you & your dogs.
I got all 3 at the All Hounds & I REALLY love their service! They are really nice & helpful.
http://www.allhoundsapparel.com
Short Story on choke chains: I worked with a trainer who used choke chains & I did not like using this because I nearly choked my little girl to death once while we were attacked by an off leash dog. It was an accident & she was fine but I could have really hurt her. I also think the choke chains have a negative reward for a dog while walking. If they lunge at something…person, dog, squirrel, bird etc...they will choke themselves & associate something negative with that.
