Upcoming events:
articles:
Proper Use of Retractable Leashes
By Liz Gruen
Many love the idea of a retractable leash. It gives their dog a little freedom to roam and run while still connected to you. However, it is my opinion there is a proper way to use them and a dangerous way to use them.
The proper way would be to use the one that is suited for your size dog. Another is to make sure you do not let out too much cord at one time in a populated or heavily wooded area. It is always best to keep your dog close to you on a walk as it is your responsibility to always look ahead to anticipate any problems that may arise to distract your dog. Always check that the lock is working properly and that you can easily manipulate it to lock that cord in case of an emergency, such as your dog taking off after another dog, running into traffic or chasing squirrels, bikes, skate boards, etc.
The first time you use the leash, try it in an open area so you get the feel of how to control it. When you use the retractable leash improperly, you can be in for a serious injury to you and your dog.
Having spent 30 years in the medical field, I can tell you first hand of the numerous injuries I have encountered due to the improper use of retractable leashes. For example, if you let out too much cord in a populated area, such as the park where there are many people walking their dogs, you have the problem of getting the cord entangled with another. When getting two or more dogs who don’t know each other too close together (invading the others space), it can cause a nasty fight to break out while you are trying to untangle them.
People have panicked and have not been able to quickly lock the cord and have grabbed the cord which has caused severe cuts and rope burns on their legs and hands, not to mention a dog bite from a panicked dog. When the dog runs around a wooded area, there is the chance ofthe dog choking and injuring the trachea while trying to untangle themselves from around a few trees. If the cord is too long, the the dog can get way ahead of you and turn a corner where you can’t see what possible trouble may be ahead.
The worst injury I have encountered is a woman who came into the office of a surgeon where I worked and had four of her fingers partially amputated while walking her German Shepherd on a retractable leash. She could not lock it in time and she grabbed the rope of the leash and the rest is history.
This type of leash should never be used by young children!
Now, let’s talk about the positive side of a retractable leash.
The retractable leash is great for training your dog to fetch and return and recalls (teaching your dog to come to you on command.) It is wonderful for letting your dog out in your back yard when it is raining or snowing so you don’t have to go out yourself. It is great to use if you are a disabled person or senior who can’t walk very far and maybe doesn’t have a fenced in yard and would like your dog to go out and have fun while still in your reach.
Accidents do and will always happen, however with awareness we can help to keep our cherished pets a little safer.
Liz Gruen is the owner of Dog Training With Liz.
5 Reasons to not get a puppy for Christmas!
By Liz Gruen
The holiday season is a time that many parents decide to surprise their children with a new puppy. While it’s wonderful to bring a new member into the family, the holidays are not usually the best time to do that. Here are a few reasons why.
1. The holidays are too hectic. Puppies need time to adjust to their new home. The holidays are a time for visiting, guests coming over and for some homes, general chaos! Puppies require a set schedule for feeding, walking, exercising and sleeping. Since many of us are off schedule at this time, it is better to wait until after the holidays when schedules are back to normal and your puppy can easily acclimate to its new environment.
2. There are too many safety hazards, (wires, decorations, wrapping paper, small objects.) With all of the activities going on, it is sometimes hard to pay attention to all of the mischief your curious new puppy could get into.
3. Picking out a new puppy should be a family decision. Find the time to do this together. Pick the breed that best suits the family dynamics.
4. Don’t be fooled by the holiday movie trends. Movies have a huge influence on the choice of dog a child wants. For example: 101Dalmatians brought a surge in Dalmatians sales as sure as the Hollywood Chihuahua movie did for Chihuahua sales. Dogs in movies are well-trained. New puppies are not trained.
5. Training Needs to Start Immediately. With so much going on, there probably won’t be enough time to start a consistent training program with your new puppy and training should start sooner rather than later. Most often parents end up being the primary caregiver for the family pet but parents should discuss what responsibilities their kids will have before they even choose that puppy.
On that note; Children should know how to feed, exercise, handle, care for and train their new puppy. The joys of having a family pet are many, but a well-trained dog brings even more happiness. Consider enrolling your kids in a training class, or with a private professional trainer. If you are certain you’re ready to add a pet to your family, be sure to check your local animal shelter first. Many wonderful dogs are left there and most only require proper training to make them a loving addition to your family.
Remember, consistency in training is the key. Don’t let the puppy you get for Christmas, wind up in a shelter or have to be rehomed by Easter, because you didn’t have the time to properly train it.
If you have any questions or concerns about this, please feel free to contact professional Trainer, Liz Gruen at Dog Training With Liz by email at liz@dogtrainingwithliz.com or call 321-634-2003. You can also visit website at www.dogtrainingwithliz.com