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Proper Dog Equipment

There are so many options out there for dog equipment! Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones.

April 12, 2022 by Friends For Life

There are so many options out there for dog equipment! Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones.

Bucket Collars

Simply collars that are fastened with a buckle.

Good for dogs who don’t pull

Inexpensive and easily adjustable

Best option for puppies before they are walking on leash

Rolled leather-type material tends to fit more comfortably

Martingale (Limited Slip)

Designed to tighten partially around a dog’s neck.

Good for dogs who don’t pull.

Best for dogs who have heads narrower than their necks

Good for dogs who are skittish or attempt to escape by backing out of their collars.

Use with a front clip harness or head halter by clipping the lead through both pieces of equipment to get both the no pull and anti-escape benefits.

All in one martingale and lead combos can be convenient pieces of equipment.

English Slip Leads are full slip collars attached to leads (to prevent injury, never use with dogs who pull).

Front Clip Harness

A harness designed to allow the leash to clip in the front of the dog’s chest, reducing the dog’s ability to pull.

Good for moderate/strong pullers

Best choice for most dogs and puppies

Don’t cause trauma to the trachea

Minimum training required

We like the Easywalk brand and use it at the shelter for our dogs

Head Halters

Sits below the eyes and around the muzzle.

Good for very powerful pullers and/or dogs who lunge

The dog must be properly fitted and conditioned to head halters

Brands: Gentle Leader, Black Dog, Kumalong, Snoot Loop, Halti

Do not use with a long leash (could cause injury if dog hits the end of the leash)


Equipment to Avoid

Back Clip Harnesses: It makes pulling worse by turning your dog into a sled dog. Hut hut!

Retractable Leads: Need input from behavior here

Equipment to NEVER use

Prong, bark, and shock collars should not be used.

Learn more about the impacts of prong, bark, and shock collars here:

  • Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare – EF Hiby, NJ Rooney, JWS Bradshaw
  • Dominance Versus Leadership in Dog Training – Dr. Sophia Yin

Despite what some trainers may say, these collars can cause severe tracheal damage to a dog along with damage to other sensitive tissues, glands, muscles, and veins located in the neck.

Use of these collars as an aversive training technique (not aligned with LIMA!) develops an association of pain with putting the collar on the dog, going on walks, etc. that over time can cause aggression directed at any aspect of the collar in the dog’s life, including aggression directed towards strangers, you as the handler, or anyone who is involved in working with the animal while the collar is on. This puts everyone involved at risk—tail or no tail.

The bottom line:

There are plenty of equipment options out there to positively reinforce loose leash walking with your dog. Aversive collars that cause pain might mask pulling issues but can create a fearful and aggressive dog along with causing potential medical issues. What seems like an easy fix is a painful and harmful alternative to proper, positive training techniques.

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Category iconBehavioral Resources,  Pet Ownership Tag iconbehavior_training,  dog,  pet ownership,  puppy

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Friends For Life Shelter

107 E 22nd Street
Houston, TX 77008

713-863-9835

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Friday - Monday — 11AM - 4PM
Tuesday - Thursday — By appointment

Adoptable dogs can be met on an appointment basis.
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