My Westie is 5 years old.What is best,lead and collar or a harness?I keep getting told different things!!?

Question

The main reason i want to know is because i have been told by somebody who has also got a westie that they are prone to problems with their soft pallet if they use a collar all the time! My dog makes a funny snorting noise sometimes and apparently this is caused by the collar and is called a backwards sneeze!! If this gets worse that it can interfere with the breathing.But then again somebody else has said that this isn't true! My dog doesn't really pull on a lead so that is not a problem.

Answer 1

This is a matter of opinion, and everyone has one! I prefer a plain buckle collar (leather or nylon) for the dog to wear with his ID tags on it.

To walk the dog, the Four Paws makes a reasonably-priced no-pull trainer harness that puts no pressure on the dog's throat. It works great, no training required for a comfortable walk. A Westie would need a small size. You can get them at Petco or Petsmart. Petco website has them on sale now:
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=8377&Nav=1&Ntt=four+paws&N=30+22&sku=669946&familyID=4031&

Other companies make no-pull harnesses, but they are nore expensive.
http://www.zubapets.com/dreamwalker.htm

The Halti-type head collars work well for some dogs, but others will spend weeks trying to paw it off their face.
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=5110&Nav=1&N=0&Ntt=HALTi&sku=742015&familyID=6008&

Answer 2

I have a westie and use a leather collar that is well made, secure and comfortable on my dog. I use two leads one is sturdy and of a fixed length and I use it when walking my dog near traffic and on the city streets or taking him anywhere new etc. I also use a retractable lead which I use when we are in the park this helps me to get him to where he can get off the lead to play but allows him to investigate on they way there without him getting into any trouble. He knows the difference between the two leads and acts accordingly, the retractable one is really an indulgence but the dog does like the chance to go at his own pace now and again. I have always used a collar and lead as any westie you see with a harness thinks he is white fang and pulls accordingly.

Answer 3

Westie Collars

Answer 4

If your dog has a real pulling problem on leash, get a Gentle Leader. They are harmless to the dog, come with a DVD that shows you the proper way to use it, and your dog will learn quickly how to walk politely on leash with you.

Unless a dog has a true neck injury or throat issue that precludes wearing a collar, I prefer a leash and collar. A harness on a dog is virtually telling the dog "please pull" now that it can use it's entire body, not just it's neck and shoulders to put force into pulling.

My favorite collar is the no-slip or Martingale style which when adjusted properly, will tighten around a dog's neck if s/he tries to back out of it, but will only tighten to the adjustment, preventing choking. it was developed for Greyhounds, whose neck and head are almost the the same size, making it easy for them to slip out of a collar. If your dog has no pulling/backing out of the collar behavior, you can also get cute buckle or "quick-clip" adjustable collars and make fashion statements. :])

Any leash is fine except a chain leash. They are heavy, slap the dog in the neck, shoulder, and head while walking, and are just unnecessary. Leather, nylon, cotton are all fine - whatever's comfortable in your hand. Make sure the clip you attach to the dog's collar is an appropriate size for the dog. Small dogs' leashes should have smaller clips. Too large a clip is heavy and also hits the dog's neck and ears when walking.

Best wishes and good walkies!

Answer 5

It is totallya matter of personal preference. I advise lots of people to get gentle leader headcollars, but only if they either use them from puppies, or don't get on with a normal collar. Imagine trying to control a horse with just a collar around his neck! Gentle leaders can make walking/training easier on dog and owner, biut some dogs do just as well on collars. I have a 40kg goldie who is good as gold with a collar, and a terrier on a gentle leader who just needsthat slight amount more control. He is 8kg! I don't like the harness types much, unless for very difficult dogs that need a harness and a gentle leader. I find harnesses just allow the dog to throw all their weight behind them and drag themselves on. If in doubt, give some a try. Your vet might be able to advise, and dog training clubs will have owners who might lend you one for approval. If you get on okay with a collar and lead I'd stick with it. I prefer a webbing one (you can throw them in the washing machine!) that is continuous, ie with no buckle or clasp, which slips over the dogs head, with a webbing half check which makes the collar smaller if the dog pulls away so that it no longer fits over his head, but does not choke him. I prefer Kumfi check out www.kumfi.com for their range.

Answer 6

It depends how your westie is doing with whatever situation you're in now.

I have two dogs, an australian shepherd and a border collie mix. The australian shepherd likes to slip her collar, but the mix is fine on a leash. The aussie wears a harness, the mix wears a normal collar. If your dog does fine on a leash and collar, don't change what works.

Answer 7

I have Chihuahuas, and find that a collar is okay to keep their tags on, but out walking I always use a harness. The Trachea (windpipe) is very delicate in small dogs and the pulling of a collar and lead can damage this.

Answer 8

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tr.im/QQTDF

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 9

A Gentle Leader!

IGentle Leader® Product Overview


Why and How the Gentle Leader® Headcollar Works

First of all, the Gentle Leader® Headcollar is NOT a muzzle. When fitted properly, your dog is free to open his mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch, bark and even bite - except when you close his mouth by pulling on the leash.

The Gentle Leader® Headcollar features two soft nylon straps - the collar portion fits high at the top of the neck, and the nose loop fits loosely and comfortably across the base of the muzzle. Each strap has a distinct and important effect.
Gentle Leader Halters


The Nose Loop - Dogs are naturally "pack" animals with a highly structured social order. One of the ways the "pack leader" will demonstrate his position is to gently but firmly grasp a subordinate's muzzle in his mouth. This is a non-aggressive, very clear signal regarding who's the boss! The Gentle Leader's® nose loop encircles your dog's muzzle in this same manner, letting him know in his own language that you are his leader. Dogs feel more secure when they know who the leader is.

The Neck Strap - Have you noticed how puppies seem to melt in relaxation when their mother picks them up at the back of the neck? Gentle Leader® applies pressure to the back of the neck rather than the front of the throat, working with your dog's natural relaxation instinct with an amazing calming effect. Also, dogs tend to pull against pressure so the gentle pressure at the back of the neck causes the dog to pull backward, not forward. This means an end to leash pulling forever!

Teaches "Sit" - The Gentle Leader® Headcollar quickly encourages controlled sitting - raise your dog's nose skyward and he lowers his hindquarters - no pushing or shoving.



Stops Pulling & Lunging - No more tug of wars, jerking or being dragged down the street - even children and the elderly can walk large or difficult dogs. Won't Choke - Gentle Leader ® gives you control with humane restraint - pressure is applied at the back of the neck instead of the front of the throat.
Prevents Jumping - Easily stops jumping and other unwanted behavior as the Gentle Leader® Headcollar helps you control your dog in a "stand," "sit" or "down" position. Not a Muzzle - When fitted properly, your dog may open his mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch and bark - except when you pull on the leash to close his mouth.
Controls Barking - Stop unwanted barking with a simple pull of the lead to close your dog's mouth - no need to shout or scold. Helps Manager Other Behavior Problems - Under the supervision of a trained professional, the Gentle Leader ® can be an effective tool, in an individual behavior modification program for problems such as fear, anxiety, agression, etc. Many professionals and owners have reported a calming effect on their dogs.
Stops
Begging -
Eliminate annoying behavior at meal time and help the kids hang onto their snacks!

Answer 10

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