02/17/2019 Drozd Nikolaevich Animals 9 A collar and leash are integral accessories that a dog will need. Walking without them can be dangerous both for the animal and for others, so your four-legged pet needs to be accustomed to them from puppyhood. How to choose the size of a dog collar? The table and other recommendations are presented in this publication.
Collars
Collar made of leather, canvas or nylon braid
This collar is the most comfortable for the animal. It is always relevant and universal. Suitable for walking, training, protection classes, for being on a leash and for constant wearing. For a puppy under the age of 3 months, you definitely need to opt for such a collar. The selection is made according to the neck circumference, width, presence or absence of decorative elements, color, material, design and strength. Essential for every dog.
How to train someone to wear a collar?
Chain collar
For the German Shepherd, this is a show version of the collar, which gets lost in the fur and is practically invisible. At the same time, it is durable and quite reliable, quite convenient to use. It looks like a chain with rings at the ends. Can be used as a regular collar or as a choke (depending on how you thread the chain through the ring).
A chain collar with an oval link can be adjusted in length by fastening the carabiner from the leash to one or another link. One of the inconveniences is that it must be correctly selected for the neck (a large one will fall off, a small one will not fit on the dog’s head); as the dog grows, it has to be constantly changed to a new one of longer length.
For German Shepherds, chain collars with a link of two configurations are used: oval and armored. The presence of such a collar is mandatory for a show German Shepherd.
Choke collar
This is a leather or nylon cord with rings at the ends. Its essence is almost identical to a chain collar (it is also used as a collar and as a noose - depending on how you thread the cord into the ring), but for a German shepherd such a collar is not used as a show collar and is not very convenient in everyday life due to the possibility of running off neck, fall and get lost. Used – mainly – for training. Not required for this breed.
Strict collar (parfos)
An essential item for training. Quickly and effectively teaches you not to ignore the owner's commands. Convenient for walking if a physically weak person (teenager, woman) is walking with a large, strong dog. Parfos come in wire and plate types and in very different designs. It is very desirable to have at least some.
Is it possible to use a collar for puppies?
All dog handlers are clear on this – it’s impossible. Even if the puppy is a shepherd dog, Labrador, pit bull or another breed that requires careful attention from the owners. A strict collar is only worn on adult dogs.
Puppies can wear only these collars
A strict collar is a useful piece of equipment, but it is better to wear it under the supervision of a canine specialist. We must not forget that the main tools for training a dog are affection, attention and care, and punishment should be used only as a last resort.
Harnesses
There are different designs and purposes: riding, trail, for walking. For a German Shepherd, a harness can be useful only for tracking work and in protection classes, and even then it is not necessary. In everyday life it is ineffective, since it is extremely difficult to hold a large, strong dog on it without possible injuries.
Types of collars
Different collars are needed, all kinds of collars are important. And indeed it is. Today in pet stores you can find and choose a collar for any occasion.
You can also choose the material and quality with which the ammunition is made. Let's look at what types of collars there are for German Shepherds depending on their purpose:
- An accessory for everyday use;
- Show Collar;
- A collar that is put on a dog before training begins;
- Behavior correcting ammunition.
Below we will analyze each type separately.
Collars for daily use
Equipment for daily use is necessary during walks, and also serves as decoration for the animal. Typically, this type of collar is wider and stronger in shape and size than other types. It can be worn on both an adult pet and a young puppy.
Of course, such accessories can be left on your pet’s neck without removing them. Of course, this is done if the product does not injure the dog’s skin and coat.
Accessories for regular use can be with luminous or LED inserts. They will be needed if the owner walks the pet in the dark. This way he will have a better view of the dog’s route. In addition, collars with built-in GPS beacons have recently appeared. They track movement and send a signal to any connected device.
Leashes
Whole leather leash 2-2.5 m long
This is a show version of the leash. Comfortable, functional, classic. Suitable not only for exhibition, but also for walking, for constant use in everyday life. It is preferable to have such a leash in your household, although this pleasure is not cheap.
Leash made of tarpaulin, nylon tape
Very convenient in everyday life. Suitable for literally everything: for training, training, leash. The length of the leash is selected depending on the purpose of use: to practice the skill of working on a scent, you will need a leash 10-15 meters long, for the skill of following commands at a distance - 3-5 meters, to prepare for an exhibition - 2-2.5 meters, for a walk - 3 meters , 1.5 meters is enough to move around the city. A must have.
Leash-handle
This is, in fact, a handle with a carabiner. Low functionality. Used for training and for very manageable dogs, which need to be kept close to you only a short distance, and then can be released from the leash. Its presence is not required.
Leash
Convenient and functional, but not very reliable due to its design. Can be made of leather, canvas or nylon braid. Typically, these leashes are made 2.5-5 meters long. This is a regular long leash with carabiners on both ends and rings on the leash itself. One carabiner is fastened to the collar, the second one adjusts the length of the leash by fastening the carabiner to one or another ring. You can (but do not have to) have such a leash if it is convenient for you.
Choosing a Collar
Before a person goes to a pet store to buy a collar for his pet, he needs to take measurements and select the material of manufacture.
Size
Usually, to select the correct ammunition, the shepherd’s neck is measured in certain places depending on the type of collar:
- For an everyday accessory, measure the middle of the dog's neck;
- For a strict collar, measure the lower part of the neck;
- For a noose, measure the largest radius of the head.
Of course, it is important that there is a distance of up to 2 centimeters between the throat and the product. This way the dog will be comfortable in the equipment, but at the same time he will not be able to pull it off. When the animal tilts its head, the accessory should not slide off the neck.
Product quality
Of course, quality also plays an important role when choosing a device to keep your dog on a leash. After all, the German Shepherd is very susceptible to allergic reactions and dermatological diseases. If the material is not of very high quality, the accessory will deteriorate, threads will fall out, and it will tear.
In addition, under the influence of sweat and moisture, the product may begin to rot or mold. Also, if the owner buys ammunition with a GPS tracker or with a built-in stun gun, you need to check the warranty card and license for this electronic device.
Material of manufacture
Collars are made from different materials depending on their purpose. Let's look at them:
- This product is made of genuine leather and is suitable for everyday walks. It is important that there are no decorative spikes, metal inserts, and so on. Otherwise, during walks and games with other dogs, the shepherd may injure them, himself or the owner. The leather accessory can be worn on both a young puppy and an adult animal.
- The metal accessory is used for training and adjusting the upbringing of a pet. You cannot wear such a collar every day, as it can worsen the condition of the shepherd’s “fur coat.”
- Fabric gear can be worn even by a small puppy. It is the safest of all those available for sale. It's all about the material, which does not harm the coat. Such products are more durable and do not require special care. The only thing you need to do is to clean and wash the felt or fabric collar well.
Muzzles
A must-have item for the household! Muzzles can be metal, leather, plastic, nylon. For a German Shepherd, a leather or plastic muzzle is preferable for all occasions and for any weather. They are the most comfortable for a dog for any season and for any time spent in it. The design is selected individually.
How to train someone to wear a muzzle?
Cage or box
A very useful thing in the household, especially for apartment and show dogs, with which the owners often travel to other cities, stay in hotels, and wait a long time for their ring at cynological events.
How to train to a crate?
A crate is preferable to a box because it is made of metal (the box is made of plastic), is more convenient for the dog to fully rest, and is easy to assemble and disassemble (the box cannot be disassembled). You can additionally purchase a protective cover and wheels for the cage. The dog feels very comfortable in a cage that is correctly sized.
Of course, the cage is not intended for the animal to be there permanently, but only temporarily (rest, transportation, need for isolation). At home, the cage can be used as a kennel with the door always open.
