The humble dog collar is much more than just a fashion accessory or somewhere to hang the little embossed bone with your phone number on. A dog collar helps you walk your dog and is also there in case of any emergency where you might need to grab them quickly. Before micro-chipping animals was introduced, the dog collar was the only means of identification. By putting a simple name tag with some basic details you could usually be assured that if your beloved family pet went missing it should not be long before they were returned to your loving arms once again.
It is important that you fit a dog collar properly. This doesn't just mean that you should make sure the buckle is done up properly, you should also make sure you have the right size of collar and one that is adequate to your needs. There are a wide variety available but presuming that you have a well behaved dog who is good on the lead and doesn't pull too much you should be able to take your pick. Choker chains are not necessary for dogs unless they are particularly badly behaved when walking on the lead.
A choker chain is a series of metal loops that attach around the dog's neck and tighten when they pull. The action of the chain tightening will usually be enough to stop any pulling. However, some dogs do not react well to choker chains. The metal links banging together can make a particularly harsh noise that some dogs will find disturbing. This will not only stop them pulling but could also lead to them dreading walk time, instead of looking forward to the exercise and fresh air.
Find a dog collar that sits snugly around your dog's neck without being too tight. You want to prevent them from slipping the collar but you don't want to strangle them in the process. Buying an ill fitting dog collar will inevitably mean that you will struggle to get it to fit properly and in turn this will lead to problems when walking and potentially much greater problems in the long run.
Specialist dog collars are also available that help with difficult dogs. A harness should only be used while walking your dog and if you have a dog who pulls a lot then a harness or a halter will prevent too much pulling. Again, this should be fitted properly otherwise you may be causing more problems than you are actually remedying.
Weave Poles can be the most challenging obstacle for you to teach and for your dog to learn. Many agility obstacles resemble natural obstacles that dogs could find out on a hike out in the woods, jumps, frames, and tunnels. Going over, under, or through things and places are natural for dogs,however, weaving the poles is not.
How do you teach an unnatural skill........with lots of patience, the right motivators for your dog, and a plan. There are many great methods to teach the weave poles. If you've gone to agility camps with several top instructors, you know that most have their own method . So, there is not one method that is the best or one method that produces the best weaving dog.
There are many methods of teaching weave poles. Some of these include, the Push-Pull method, the Angled Weave Approach, Chute Training, Two-Pole Method, Gate method, and more..........
How do you decide on which method to choose? Research each method and find out what you like about it and what you don't. What method are they teaching at your agility school? Most handlers just starting agility will teach the method being presented at their facility. If you attend a large agility school, sit in on some of the advanced classes and watch the skilled dogs weave. Ask those individuals how they taught their dog to weave. Most instructors have a preference of weave training, it may be the method they are teaching or it may not be.
Once you decide on a method, get the poles you want and then, outline a plan to train 5 minutes a day on weaves. Five minutes a day will take your dog much further than once a week in class. If you are into agility and want to progress, the weave poles are an absolute must to have at home.
Get your dog, grab his motivators, take a deep breath and go have fun for five minutes a day.
Both Marc Lindsay & Brad Carlson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Marc Lindsay has sinced written about articles on various topics from Adware, Flirting Tips and Car Auctions. and product reviews so you know you a. Marc Lindsay's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
Brad Carlson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Dog Training Collars and Dogs. Brad Carlson is a dog trainer at Agility by Carlson. For more training details, visit our website at . Brad Carlson's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.