Time for walkies? It’s tough to enjoy a good walk, however, if you do not have the proper equipment needed to walk your dog safely. Below you will find what type of walking equipment every pet parent should have and why each item is important:
Collars
Collars are short lengths of nylon or sturdy fabric that clip or buckle around a dog’s neck. They serve many important purposes, not the least of which is they display identification (such as tags) for your dog. Most dogs wear collars regardless of what other walking equipment they use.
The second most important purpose collars serve is to provide a place for pet parents to attach a leash. Although there are alternatives to collars, such as harnesses and head halters, many pet parents choose to utilize collars as their walking equipment of choice.
Additionally, since collars come in so many varieties, it is fair to say that there is truly a collar to fit every pet parent’s need. Pet parents can purchase martingale collars for dogs that slip collars easily, choke collars for dogs who pull, prong collars for very strong dogs or simple, flat nylon collars for the everyday pooch. Collars are a great everyday tool and are ideal for dogs that do not pull hard during walks.
Leashes
Leashes are long lengths of nylon or webbing that allow pet parents to control their dogs during walks. Leashes are great for providing a way to control the dog in high-traffic or high-population areas. Leashes come in a variety of sizes and materials: retractable leashes are ideal for dogs that do not pull and pet parents who want adjustable leash length; bungee leashes offer a gentle “give” for pet parents who want to avoid pulling on a dog’s neck; and simple, six-foot leashes are a great all-purpose tool that is great for everyday walks and safety. Some nylon leashes come with a special “traffic handle” for increased control.
Harnesses
A harness is a nylon or webbing structure that goes behind a dog’s front legs, around her chest and over her back. Unlike collars, harnesses do not put any pressure on the dog’s neck. Instead, this tool uses the dog’s body for control. Harnesses are a great alternative to a collar for pet parents who have dogs that like to pull or necks larger than their heads. Harnesses are also ideal for pet parents who enjoy sports, like skijoring, which require the dog to pull weight.
Head Collars
Head collars are a cross between harnesses and collars and can provide a helpful tool for pet parents with dogs who like to pull. A head harness loops around and attaches behind a dog’s ears to provide increased control and gentle reinforcement that encourages dogs not to pull. Ideal for puppies and dogs with poor walking manners, head harnesses are an important piece of walking equipment for many pet parents. Dogs who use head harnesses will still need to wear collars for identification purposes, as head harnesses are a piece of walking equipment that is only used on walks.
Need more tips about which collars, leashes and harnesses to buy or how to introduce new equipment to your dog? Here is a helpful video:
No matter what type of walking equipment you choose to use on your dog, two things are needed for every walk: a control device (collar or harness of some type) and a leash (Retractable, bungee or nylon). These pieces of handy walking equipment serve to keep both pets and humans safe and secure during walks and can help facilitate good training and great pet/human relationships.
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