Choosing a collar and leash:

By Jacque Lynn Schultz From Animal Watch magazine Fall 1997. When it comes to training dogs, the proper equipment can make all the difference. If scanning dog supply catalogues or the aisles of your local pet emporium makes your head spin wondering what is right for Rover, read on. Rein him in Every dog needs a leash. It serves as a line of communication between dog and handler, as well as a canine life preserver when your dog is awash in a sea of traffic -- either pedestrian or vehicular. The best leash is sturdy without being cumbersome and properly gauged to the size of the dog. A training leash should be no longer than 6 feet and the width should be determined by the leash material and the size of the dog. Small dogs generally do not require a leash wider than 1/2 inch, while medium to giant-sized dogs seldom need a leash wider than 5/8 - 3/4 inch. You should be able to fold excess length easily into the palm of the leash-bearing hand. The metal clasp should be of a bolt-type, swivel snap design. A clasp that opens by simply pushing in on the hinged piece can be sprung open by the dog, making it unreliable. Retractable leashes are a fine addition to your arsenal of equipment for teaching your dog to come when called or allowing him the opportunity to explore and play without being underfoot. However, they can be a tremendous danger when used on city sidewalks or other crowded areas. Skaters and cyclists can easily roll right into the thin leash line, putting all three of you into harm's way. Save retractables for grassy, open areas of the park, woods, fields or the safety of your own backyard. Get him collared As for collars, there are myriad choices: fixed-circumference collars, head halters, correction collars and harnesses. Your selection should be based on the dog's temperament, strength and level of training. A well-trained dog of any size will be comfortable in a fixed-circumference collar, one that does not tighten when the leash is tugged. All dogs should have one of these collars for their rabies, license, and identification tags. This type of collar is usually all that is needed for training small and medium-sized dogs. For dogs who are excessively bold or shy, forge on lead, exhibit high prey drive or are aggressive with people or other dogs, a head halter is recommended. This humane training tool is based on the same premise that allows small people to handle big horses -- control the head and the body follows. While most dogs act like their muzzles have just been stung by a bee when first fitted for a head halter, they soon get used to the new sensation of the nylon strap over the bridge of the nose and become much more controllable. While not a muzzle, the head halter gives the handler much better control over the dog's mouth than a conventional collar. A correction collar, commonly called a choke collar, tightens when the dog pulls away from the handler or the handler tugs at the lead to get the dog's attention. These are somewhat effective depending on the touch-sensitivity level and drives of the dog. But remember to slip the collar off when not using it. A number of dogs are strangled to death each year after being allowed to play with other dogs or to roam around the home alone while wearing a correction collar. These collars also have been implicated in spinal problems, which in turn result in increased irritability and aggression in some dogs. Let the buyer beware! If your dog has a special training need, is in danger of a collapsed trachea or is experiencing a bout of kennel cough, a harness is appropriate. Harnesses fall into two categories: job-specific and general. The job-specific category includes no-jump and no-pull harnesses. When using this equipment, be sure to inspect any body areas where straps and cords rub. If there is a rub, discontinue use. The wrong equipment can hurt your dog and hinder the training process. Take the time to select the right training materials for your individual situation and you'll be barking up the right tree.