No-Pull Devices

The truth is, they often don’t work.  Though each can in it’s own way be an effective
tool in helping to teach a dog not to pull like a tractor, some dogs make
short work of them.  For instance, the
“face collar,” which operates much as does a horse’s bridle, aims to control a
dog’s head, and in doing so stop pulling. 
Designed to appeal to those who resist using any type of slip collar for
fear of choking a dog, the face collar can work well, but does have its
shortcomings. 

First, most dogs take at least a few days to get used to
having something strapped to their faces. 
Most simply hate the feeling.  Second,
many hard pulling canines figure out quickly that if they turn and face you,
then pull hard, they can neatly slip out of the face collar, leaving them free
to run into the street and get creamed. 
Most manufacturers now design face collars to clip to a flat or slip
collar to prevent escape, but this somewhat defeats the very purpose of the
collar itself.  Third, some owners don’t
quite understand how much control they actually have over a dog’s head while
using a face collar, and as such can severely injure the pet’s neck while
pulling back on it.  In trying to prevent
possible injury from a misused slip collar, they end up hurting the dog more
seriously. 



Nylon leashes

Anyone who’s ever had a strong dog pull hard on leash knows
why nylon leashes stink.  Unless you have
the leash end securely wrapped around your hand, you can receive a bad burn
from the nylon as it runs through your palm. 
It’s much better to use a soft leather leash, which will not burn your
hand.  Those who cannot use leather
products for ethical reasons can still find a “pleather” leash, or a decent
fabric leash with a lower coefficient of friction than the dreaded nylon
leash. 


Dog Couture


Long Distance “Energy
Work”


Treats


Wire Crates


Dog Food that Costs
More Than My Food




Service Dogs Who
Aren’t Service Dogs

The other day I went into a local café for some tea.  Inside was a woman with a skittish little
spaniel mix wearing a red vest that said “Service Dog” on it.  The dog clearly was not a service dog of any discernible type, apart from being the
overly caffeinated owner’s pal.  But the
café owner, intimidated by the possible threat of being sued, let the dog stay,
even though he clearly had some anti-social issues, and could have bitten
someone at any moment. 

Service dogs are amazing, creatures, worthy of respect.  Just tossing a vest on your dog doesn’t make
her a service dog.  So, please don’t do
real service dogs a disservice just to get your pet into the local Starbucks.