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C A N I N E S   O N L I N E ™
Copyright 2001 Canines Online ™
Issue No. 12, Vol.1, May 04, 2001

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CONTENTS:
=>Canine Topic Corner:
   -- **Special** 101 Ways to Be Kind to Animals
=>Tidbits:
   -- Small Dogs
   -- Good Luck Dogs
   -- Night?
=>News Briefs:
   -- Animal groups save abused, abandoned pets
   -- Bucharest culls 1000 dogs
   -- Tails wag, humans brag as greyhounds have their day
=>Recipes:
   -- Bacon Biscuits
   -- Cheese Biscuits
=>Featured Site:
   -- My Pet Stop
=>Featured Breed:
   -- Shih-Tzu
=>Product News, Reviews, and Coupons:
   -- The Best Choice in Dog Collars and Leads
=>The Tail End
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CANINE TOPIC CORNER
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101 Ways to Be Kind to Animals
by Arden Moore A Rodale Press contribution
The week of May 6 - 12, 2001 is Be Kind to Animals Week. Need
suggestions for things you can do to show kindness to your furry,
finned, or feathered friends? Here are 101 possibilities for all
creatures, wild and domestic, large and small. Consider being kind to
animals all year-long.

1. Convince local lawmakers to establish dog parks in your community and
offer to raise money to help maintain them. The country's oldest dog
park opened in 1979 in Berkeley, California. These fenced-in areas
allow well-behaved dogs to romp and run off-leash.

2. Bid on a celebrity photograph or piece of artwork at PAWS/LA's annual
auction to raise money for pet-owning people with HIV/AIDS. For more
details, contact Pets are Wonderful Support/LA, a nonprofit group in Los
Angeles, at (323) 876-7297.

3. Renovate vacant city-owned buildings and convert them into pet
adoption centers. Just follow the footsteps of Merrill Chernov, M.D., a
physician who led the fund-raising drive for a pet adoption center in
the Mesa and Phoenix, Arizona, area.

4. Practice what you've preached. Contact your local humane shelter and
place of worship and organize a day to bring adoptable shelter dogs and
cats to your church or synagogue after worship service.

5. Buy a federal duck stamp offered by the National Wildlife Refuge
System. For your contribution, you benefit more than 200 species of
birds at the nation's 92 million acres of wildlife refuges. And
displaying this stamp admits you free to all national wildlife
sanctuaries. For details, call the Federal Duck Stamp office toll-free
at (877) 887-5508 or check out their web site at www.duckstamps.fws.gov.

6. Create a pet-care plan in your will to guarantee a happy and secure
future for your animal pal in the event you die before it does.
Remember, cats have nine lives, and some birds can live beyond 100.

7. Walk the dog of an elderly neighbor twice a week, especially at night
or during inclement weather.

8. Volunteer to bathe dogs at local animal shelter one day a month.

9. Help a friend find a lost pet by posting flyers with the animal's
picture at supermarkets and shops. Also give a call to Petfinders (800)
223-4747 to help in the search.

10. Spend a few extra dollars and buy a specialty license plate that
raises money for endangered animals such as the manatee in Florida or
the tiger in Pennsylvania. Drive with pride knowing you're doing your
part to help them.

11. Erect a bird feeder in your yard with a baffle to keep squirrels
from raiding the seed supply. (Skip the baffle if you want to be kind
to squirrels too).

12. Build a bat house in your rural backyard. If you give bats free
housing, they'll return the favor by eating hundreds of mosquitoes and
other winged pests each night so you can sit on your porch in peace.

13. Donate old towels, blankets, and pet toys to your local animal
shelter. Or make a trip to the pet supply store and buy bags of food,
collars, leashes, and toys to drop off at the shelter.

14. Switch to pet-safe antifreeze. Sierra, made by Old World
Industries, Inc. Conventional antifreeze contains propylene glycol that
carries a tempting but fatal taste to animals. Just one teaspoon can
kill a cat, and two ounces can kill a dog.

15. Ensure your pet's safe return if it scoots out of the house by
putting an identification tag, license tag, microchip, or tattoo on it.
Offer ID tags as gifts for your pet-owning friends.

16. Patronize pet-friendly hotels when you travel with your dog or cat.
Don't try to sneak them in. Let them feel at home in a hotel that
caters to their needs. Forget about taking your dog along on your
Hawaiian vacation. The state is rabies-free and wants to stay that way.
Under state law, all dogs and cats arriving in Hawaii must be
quarantined between 30 and 120 days. Stick to the mainland for your
treks with your furry pals.

17. Place a sticker on your window to alert firefighters that pets are
inside in the event of a fire or other emergency. Make sure the sticker
indicates how many and of what species.

18. Raise your cat indoors, limiting its outdoor exploration to 5 to 10
minutes each day on a leash with you. Indoor cats are at less risk for
contagious diseases or injuries due to fights or cars.

19. Show true love for your older dog or cat by requesting your
veterinarian do blood and urine tests on it by age 7. These tests can
identify the early stages of diseases that can be treated more
effectively than in later stages.

20. Dedicate a drawer or box in your house for pet-grooming supplies and
pet medications that are safely out of paw's reach.

21. Animal-proof your trash cans. Fasten lids with rope, chains, or
bungee cords or tie the handle to a stake driven into the ground to stop
scavenger snacking by neighborhood dogs, raccoons, and other critters.

22. Devote a week's vacation to being a volunteer at Best Friends Animal
Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, caring for homeless dogs and cats. The
world's largest animal sanctuary features Dog Town and Wildcats Village.
For more details, call (435) 644-2001 or visit its web site:
www.bestfriends.org.

23. Adopt a seal at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausilito, California.
Sorry, you can't take it home and let it swim in your pool. But for
$25, you will provide enough herring to feed a malnourished seal or sea
lion for a day. For $50, you will provide enough antibiotics to heal a
marine animal injured by a fishing line or marine debris. Splurge and
donate $100 to pay for a diagnostic x-ray for fractured-flipper surgery.
For details, call (415) 289-SEAL.

24. Donate money to the Delta Society, an organization that trains
volunteers and screens their pets to provide therapy to 350,000 people
each year in hospitals and nursing homes. Based in Renton, Washington,
the Delta Society can be contacted by calling (425) 226-7357 or by going
to its web site, www.deltasociety.org.

25. Attend a fashion show featuring a line of faux fur fashions or
observe "Fur Free Friday" held every year in late November. You'll
literally save the hides of foxes, minks, raccoons, and other fuzzy
friends.

26. Keep your dog or cat in a quiet, safe place inside your home on the
Fourth of July. If you'll be away, turn on the radio or television to
offset the exploding noise and close the drapes and blinds to block the
light-up-the-sky fireworks. Leave a pile of favored toys and food
treats for solace.

27. Buy heated water bowls for both migrating and local birds during
cold winter months and refresh daily.

28. Practice good dental hygiene on your dog and cat. If you can't
maneuver a toothbrush inside their mouths, try rubbing specially
designed pet toothpaste gels onto their gums with your finger at least
three times a week. Have your veterinarian professionally scale their
teeth to remove stubborn tarter.

29. Plant trees and shrubs in your yard that will attract birds and
butterflies. North American native birds flock to evergreens,
hawthorns, junipers, and mulberries. Butterflies flutter to bee balm
plants and apple trees.

30. Avoid using chemical-loaded pesticides on your lawn to kill weeds
and insect pests. They can harm visiting birds, squirrels, and other
critters. Consider using botanical insecticides such as neem and
pyrethrins as well as natural approaches such as pulling weeds, roots
and all, before they flower and seed.

31. Learn how to raise puppies that will grow up to become assistance
dogs for the disabled. Or volunteer to help the International
Association of Assistance Dog Partners. For more details, contact them
at their headquarters in Sterling Heights, Michigan, at (810) 826-3938.

32. Delay adopting a dog or cat until a couple weeks after Christmas.
Just like other gift returns, far too many dogs and cats offered as
Christmas presents find their way back to the local animal shelters.
And with the holiday stress and hectic pace behind you, you'll be able
to devote more quality time to bonding with your new pal.

33. Select a dog breed that matches your personality and lifestyle.
Size doesn't matter as much. If you're a major TV watcher, a bull
mastiff is more appropriate than an energized Jack Russell terrier.

34. Enroll your puppy in a local socialization school starting at 8
weeks of age. The sooner you can expose it to strangers, friends,
costumes, vacuum cleaners, cars, and cats, the better chance it will
grow up to be a well-adjusted dog able to adapt to change.

35. Weigh your dog and cat each week to check against obesity as well as
rapid weight loss that may be due to a medical condition. A couple of
pounds weight loss in a dog or cat is comparable to 10 to 20 pounds in a
human.

36. Give your pet weekly mini-medical exams at home. Open its mouth and
check for bleeding gums, chipped teeth, or (yuck) doggie breath. Take a
close peek at its eyes and ears for signs of discharge or infection.
Finger its paws and massage its torso to detect any cuts or lumps.
Conditions caught early have a better rate of recovery. And there's a
hidden bonus: Your pet will become used to being handled, making for
more harmonious vet visits.

37. Slow to five miles per hour in wake areas while boating to protect
manatees and other mammal life. Manatees are slow-moving sea cows that
can't dodge boat propellers quickly.

38. Purchase calendars, stationary, and address labels from nonprofit
organizations that contribute a portion of the proceeds to help
endangered animals.

39. Visit Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and stop by the area
that houses injured eagles. Singer Dolly Parton contributes some of her
amusement park profits to nurse eagles back to health so that they can
be re-released into the wild. For more details, call Dollywood at (423)
428-9488.

40. Use glow-in-the-dark collars and leashes when walking your dog at
night to heighten your visibility, especially with motorists.

41. Give your little dog a break from trying to match your strides by
carrying it in a kennel stroller. This pet carrier offers safety,
comfort, and mobility for dogs under 13 pounds.

42. Give your animal a spirituality boost by taking it to a local place
of worship that conducts annual Blessing of the Animals services,
usually around Easter. Among the blessed last year at the All Saints
Episcopal Church in Long Island, New York, was Molly, a black bear cub
brought in by members of the Long Island Game Farm.

43. Hire a professional licensed pet sitter to take care of your pets
(and your mail and plants) while on vacation or business trips instead
of boarding the animals at kennels. Nothing beats home, sweet home to a
dog or cat. To find a licensed sitter in your area, call the National
Association for Professional Pet Sitters Referral Network at (800)
296-PETS or visit www.petsitters.org.

44. Seek a veterinarian who makes house calls to care for the skittish
cats or dogs stressed by car rides and visits to veterinary clinics.
These vets also handle households with many animals.

45. Participate in the local beach cleanups to remove debris that can
harm birds, sea turtles, and other beach critters.

46. Slow down on curves on winding roads in areas frequented by deer.
Each year, 500,000 deer are killed, and 29,000 people are injured in
deer-vehicle collisions. Deer roam at dawn, dusk, and the first few
hours of darkness.

47. Cap your chimney to prevent wayward birds from nesting or getting
trapped inside your flue.

48. Car shop with your dog in mind if the two of you like to travel
together. Certain models of Saabs, Fords, Audis, and Subarus offer
optional pet-restraint harnesses or dividers to confine dogs in the
cargo area.

49. Buy a first-aid kit specifically designed for your dogs, cats,
birds, and horses. Must items: bandages, antiseptics, eye and skin
wash, antibiotic ointment, cotton swabs, plastic forceps to remove
splinters and ticks, and scissors.

50. Enroll in a pet first-aid class and learn how to perform CPR, stop
bleeding, and carry out other medical treatments.

51. Donate $1 at PETsMART stores during their twice-a-year "Just-A-Buck,
Change Their Luck" campaign. Proceeds go toward animals at shelters.
Last year's two campaigns raised $3.5 million nationally, according to
Joyce Briggs, executive director of PETsMART Charities.

52. Memorize this phone number: (888) PETS-911. The next time you've
lost your pet, found a pet, need to locate your nearest animal emergency
care center, or want directions to a local animal shelter, dial this
number. This new national pet hotline is in operation all across the
country. Or tap into its web site: www.1888pets911.org.

53. Treat your indoor felines to wide TV screens filled with videos of
chatty, flying birds once a week. It's virtual reality for cats.

54. Widen narrow windowsills by adding cushy cat perches so your friends
can peer out at the world in comfort.

55. Wash your pet's bedding in warm to hot water once a week. And clean
the slime off rubber and plastic toys with disinfectant; rinse
thoroughly in hot water.

56. Cut plastic rings from six-pack sodas and beers into tiny pieces
before putting in recycle bins. These connected rings can choke birds
and animals.

57. Scoop out litter once a day and wash the litter box once a week in
disinfectant. You like clean toilets; so do your fastidious felines.
Hate poop-scoop duty? Spend extra money for a motorized automatic
cleaning litter box that needs your attention only once or twice a
month, depending on the number of cats in your home.

58. Place one of your used T-shirts or sweatshirts at the foot of your
bed for your dog or cat to sleep on while you're away. Your scent
brings them comfort.

59. Tour the Cats' House in San Diego for ideas on how to convert your
house into a colorful, creative, feline fantasy land. Owners Bob Walker
and Frances Mooney customized the interior with catwalks, cat ramps,
cat-sized holes in the walls, and floor-to-ceiling scratching posts and
perches for their 11 felines. Once a year, they open their home to
tours with proceeds benefiting the National Cat Protection Society. For
details, check out their web site: www.thecatshouse.com or call (619)
276-3621.

60. Treat cats to tiny pieces of real tuna, stored in the freezer.
Fresh tuna acts as a natural toothbrush to rid your cat of tartar
buildup.

61. Join a local dog agility club. Both of you will work out together.
Beats lifting barbells at the gym.

62. Invest in indoor potties and litter boxes for dogs if you work long
hours to prevent them from developing urinary infections.

63. Take your dog to a pet pampering spa once a year, perhaps on its
birthday.

64. Wash your dog's paws with a dampened towel after walks during the
winter. Chemical salts used to melt ice on sidewalks cam be harmful to
your dog's footpads.

65. Sidestep sizzling hot pavements during the dog days of summer. The
heat can damage your dog's sensitive footpads. Aim for early-morning or
evening walks. Stick to grassy areas for afternoon walks.

66. Stroke your dog and cat instead of patting them. Stroking is
soothing. The jarring patting motions can cause nervousness among some
pets.

67. Leave your voice on a tape recorder with phrases such as "How's my
favorite dog?" or "Hi [pet's name], it's me. I'll be home soon.” This
is great for dogs with separation anxiety.

68. Quit smoking. One in five dogs suffers from some form or allergy,
including smoke.

69. Rely on once-a-month flea and tick products such as Program,
Sentinel, or Revolution instead of the unreliable, unsafe, and messy
flea baths and flea bombs. Consult with your veterinarian for the right
product to meet your pet's needs.

70. Don't physically punish your dog for housebreaking problems. Some
indoor soiling is attributed to the wrong diet. Have your dog get a
thorough exam by your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.

71. Spay or neuter your dog or cat -- and the sooner, the better for
your pet's health. They can be safely altered as early as 12 weeks of
age now. You don't have to wait until 6 months anymore to do your small
part to address pet overpopulation.

72. Devote at least 15 minutes twice a day giving undivided attention to
your pet. Let the answering machine take a message.

73. Provide filtered drinking water for your pet every day. A lot of
pets dislike the taste and smell of chlorine and other substances in tap
water.

74. Stop feeding fast foods to your dog. Obesity is the Number 1 health
problem among canines and can lead to heart disease, pancreatitis,
cancer, and a host of other problems for too-plump pets. Keep a small
bag of healthy pet treats in your vehicle to distribute when you get
that urge for a burger with everything.

75. Resist the temptation to give your macaw and parrot bits of cookies,
candy bars, or even avocados. These tasty treats can be toxic to their
delicate systems. Treat them instead to corn on the cob (minus butter),
broccoli florets, and thinly sliced apples.

76. Sacrifice sitcom each night and spend 30 minutes walking your dog
for a mile or more. It will benefit both of you. You can catch up
during reruns.

77. Drink tea from a mug purchased from World Wildlife Fund and toast
the lions, tiger, and host of other animals whose wild habitats you're
helping preserve. Check out their web site at www.wwfus.org or contact
them at (202) 293-4800 for more details.

78. Share pet humor that pokes fun at people. Example: "Did you hear
the one about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac? He stays up all night
wondering if there really is a dog."

79. Resist the temptation to share your Thanksgiving meal with your pet.
Turkey bones can choke your pet, and the richness of many holiday
dishes may cause upset stomachs. Treat your dog to a toy filled with
kibble and your cat to a catnip mouse.

80. Use elevated food bowls for your dogs and cats to prevent them from
incurring neck injuries. Try eating off the floor and see how your neck
feels!

81. Limit your pet food supply to one month. Even when stored in
airtight containers, the food can become stale or rancid.

82. Buy a Greenpeace bumper sticker to slap on your car. Tuna and
whales will love you. For more info, check out their web site at
www.greenpeace.org.

83. Buy a pet ramp to help your ailing or aging dog or cat get into your
vehicle or onto your bed or furniture without jarring its joints.

84. Enroll in a dance class with your dog and learn how to do the
cha-cha together.

85. Keep ant traps out of your pet's access to avoid accidental
poisonings.

86. Show true compassion to homeless cats. Go beyond feeding them and
have them spayed or neutered to do your part to stop overpopulation. A
pair of mating cats can produce more than 120,000 total offspring within
six years if none of them are spayed or neutered. Check with your local
animal welfare groups on how to obtain safe traps to catch them, take
them to the veterinarian for sterilization and vaccination, and return
them to their turf.

87. Buy holiday cards from Dogs for Disabled Americans for $10 for a box
of 10. Money goes toward training rescue dogs to serve deaf or
physically disabled children and adults. For more information, contact
(978) 422-9064.

88. Mix one teaspoon of safflower or other vegetable oil for 20 pounds
of body weight into pet food to help outdoor animals maintain their
weight during the winter weather.

89. Avoid using metal water bowls outdoors during winter months because
a dog or cat's tongue can easily stick to the freezing metal. Remember
the kid from the movie A Christmas Story whose tongue got stuck to the
flagpole?

90. Custom fit your dog's doghouse. It should be big enough for your
dog to stand and turn around in but snug enough to help hold in his body
heat.

91. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly to paw pads before taking your dog
out on walks during the cold weather to protect them from ice and salt.

92. Keep holiday plants such as poinsettias and mistletoe out of your
dog or cat's reach. They are poisonous to them. Consider replacing
them with artificial replicas.

93. Make a donation to a local shelter in the name of a friend who "has
everything" for a birthday or Christmas present.

94. Pile laundry fresh from the dryer on your bed or sofa and whistle
for your dog or cat. The warmth increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood
and is comforting for critters with arthritis. A little hair on your
sweater is a small sacrifice to provide your pet a bit of pampering.

95. Volunteer to clean up road apples deposited by horses in your town's
annual Memorial Day parade.

96. Recognize that dogs and cats require different medical treatments.
An aspirin can work wonders on an ailing dog but can kill a cat. Check
with your veterinarian first before using over-the-counter medications,
prescriptions, and flea or tick products.

97. Go easy on the perfume or cologne use, even if you do have a hot
date. The noses of dogs and cats are much more sensitive.

98. Create a resume for your dog or cat that shows it's healthy and well
behaved. It's especially handy when you're looking for an apartment.
Have your veterinarian and current landlords write supporting letters.

99. Garner a tax break by making gift annuities to animal welfare
organizations. Uncle Sam takes less of a bite on your income, and you
aid animal victims of disasters, fund spaying and neutering programs,
and promote responsible pet care and other acts of kindness.

100. Adopt a lion or a tiger or a bear. Many zoos have adopt-an-animal
programs. In exchange for money, you get a photo and bio of your new
wild adoptee. Get more details by calling the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association at (301) 562-7777.

101. Protect your pet -- and your pocketbook -- by using pet medical
insurance. Even vets are buying it.

Arden Moore was a contributing writer for two books, DogSpeak (Rodale
Press, 1999) and PetSpeak (Rodale Press, 1999). She is a member of Dog
Writers Association of America and Cat Writers Association of America.
She is currently a writer and editor who shares her Seal Beach,
California home with three dog-like cats. A contributing editor to Dog
Fancy magazine and Pets: part of the family magazine, she also regularly
contributes to PETsMART.com, Cat Fancy magazine, and Veterinary Practice
News. Information compiled by PETsMART.com staff and PETsMART Inc.
experts.


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TIDBITS
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Small Dogs
Small dogs live the longest. Toy breeds live up to sixteen years or
more; larger dogs seven to nine years. On average, a dog’s life span is
about twelve years, but advances in veterinary medicine have extended
this estimate by about three years. However, some breeds, like the
Tibetan terrier, live as long as 20 years.

Good Luck Dogs
In many cultures, dogs are considered powerful good-luck charms with the
ability to ward off demons. In ancient China, for instance, the
sentinels responsible for guarding the imperial court dressed in canine
costumes and barked evil sprits away.

Night?
In ancient Rome, duck had officially passed into night when one could no
longer tell whether a canine in the distance was a dog or a wolf.


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NEWS BRIEFS
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Animal groups save abused, abandoned pets
LINCOLN, NE -- Across the country, animal rescue organizations are
popping up by the hundreds. For more info:
http://www.journalstar.com/features?story_id=2740&past=

Bucharest culls 1000 dogs
ROMANIA -- Authorities in Bucharest have killed around 1000 stray dogs
in the first week of a culling program which has sparked protests from
animal rights activists. For more info:
http://news.24.com/News24/World/Europe/0,1113,2-10-19_1018371,00.html

Tails wag, humans brag as greyhounds have their day
KANAB, UT -- Canines, their humans and Elvis took Kanab by storm for the
third annual Greyhound Gathering, sponsored by a local nonprofit rescue
organization called the Greyhound Gang. For more info:
http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,270015991,00.html?


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RECIPES
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Bacon Biscuits
Yield: 40 servings

Original recipe didn't say why this was listed but I suspect this last
tbsp. is to grease cookie sheet with. Mix all ingredients well. Pinch
off pieces of the dough and roll them into two-inch balls. ***SEE NOTE.
Put them on a greased cookie sheet. Bake them at 350 degrees for 35 to
40 minutes. Let them cool, then store in an airtight container.
Originally from the Humane Society of Santa Clare Co., Santa Clara, CA.

Cheese Biscuits
Yield: 1 batch       

Boil water. Combine oats, butter and water. Let stand ten minutes.
Stir in cornmeal, sugar, bouillon, milk, cheese and egg. Mix well. Add
flour, a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to form stiff
dough. On floured surface, knead in remaining flour until dough is
smooth and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 minutes. Roll or pat out dough to
1/2-inch thickness. Cut with bone shaped cookie cutter. Place 1-inch
apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake in preheated 325-degree oven 35 to
45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.


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FEATURED SITE
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My Pet Stop
Offers easy to understand information about dog nutrition ownership,
health, and behavior. You also can find a local veterinary clinic or
ask advice of online veterinarians.
http://www.mypetstop.com/


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PRODUCT NEWS, REVIEWS, AND COUPONS
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The Best Choice in Dog Collars and Leads
Information compiled by PETsMART.com staff and PETsMART Inc. experts.

There are a couple of items that every dog should have -- a collar of
some sort and a leash. There's such an assortment of collars and leads
(leashes) available it can be rather overwhelming when making a choice.
Here are some guidelines to follow when making your selection.

How Heavy Should the Collar and Leash Be?
Generally, the collar and leash you choose is merely a matter of
personal preference. The most important thing is to remember is to get
a collar that fits properly, and a leash that is neither too heavy nor
too light for the dog you have. Every pet should wear a collar with an
identification tag that gives your name, address, and phone number.

Getting the Proper Fit
That depends on the size of your dog. A large, strong dog can easily
break a collar or leash that is lightweight, so they need a heavier
collar and leash. Smaller dogs, on the other hand, don't need to carry
around a heavy, wide collar and leash.

For your dog to be safe and comfortable, the collar must fit correctly.
Here's the rule of thumb (or should we say finger?):
Place two fingers between the dog's neck and the collar; there should be
no more than the width of those two fingers between the neck and collar.
Any looser than this and the collar could slip over the dog's ears.
Check the collar occasionally to see if your dog has any redness or hair
loss under the collar.

Choosing the Type of Collar For Your Dog
Buckle Collars
Buckle collars are overall the best choice of collar for most dogs in
most situations. Puppies should wear only buckle collars. Buckle
collars come in a variety of colors, are made with various materials,
and even come in styles that make a real fashion statement!

Nylon Collars
Nylon collars are good for dogs that are in water a lot. Nylon is very
durable and washable, and come in a variety of colors. Many owners like
to get matching collars and leashes, and some owners even like to match
the color of the collar to the color of their dog's coat!

Leather Collars
Leather collars wear well and are very long lasting. Collars also
soften from the oils in your dog's skin. Rolled leather collars (round
instead of flat) are designed for longhaired dogs and keep the hair from
lying flat against the coat.

Training Collars
Training collars such as "choke chains" and "pinch" collars are meant to
be used for training purposes ONLY. There is a right and a wrong way of
putting these collars on and should only be used during a training
session by experienced hands. They are designed to briefly tighten and
apply pressure when the trainer is delivering a correction. Never leave
a dog unattended with one of these collars on as they may cause injury
or strangulation if the collar was to get caught on something. Never
use a training collar as your dog's everyday collar, and never put your
dog on a tie-out with a training collar.

Harnesses
A harness is placed around the dog's chest and ribcage, and therefore
eliminates the potential for choking. These are popular for dogs that
tend to pull while they are being walked.

Choosing The Type of Leash for Your Dog
Nylon Leashes
Nylon leashes are very durable and washable, and come in a variety of
colors. Many owners like to get matching collars and leashes.

Leather Leashes
Leather leashes are very durable and long lasting. Leather softens from
the oils in your skin, which is easier on the hands. Leather leashes
are also easier to grip.

Retractable Leashes
A unique feature about a retractable leash is the ability to control how
little or how much lead the dog is given. The nylon lead is rolled up
and housed within a plastic casing that you hold in your hand. A
spring-type function allows the lead to automatically lengthen or
shorten (retract) as the dog travels. Imagine retractables working
somewhat like a fishing pole. You hold the housing of the lead in your
hand and use the lead to "reel your dog in" if necessary. A one-button
braking system stops the dog from traveling any farther. It also serves
as a locking mechanism should you want to keep your dog at a consistent
distance.
Retractable leads are great if you:

Walk your dog