18 replies to this topic

[oscar's mom]

I'm with you Sanford, Oscar's collar and tags are on all the time.

[Kit'sOwner]

I hate retractable leashes. I've yet to meet a trainer who endorses them. We use two things on our Cairn: a sporn halter where the leash attaches to the back to prevent pulling and therefore neck injury, and a prong collar attached to a separate leash (that's right, I have TWO leashes on my Cairn). I only use the prong collar for corrections (read: GIANT FREAK OUTS ON WALKS) and I have to use it less and less these days but we're not ready to walk without it yet. I hold the prong leash loosely in the same hand I hold the halter leash in so as not to give correction when not needed. It's took me a year and a half of using differences leashes to find the right combo. Basically, no Cairn is going to get the exercise they need on a walk, unless very old or infirm, so the retractable is not a good idea in terms of helping your dog get good exercise. This is just my opionion and I'm sure to hear negative feedback on it. I think the best exercise is off-leash dog park. So we do both, walks AND dog park.

[Kit'sOwner]

http://www.sporn.com...ion&key=SPUS100

[hallswel]

I have never used retractable leads. When I got my first Cairn years ago my vet recommended against them. The breeder I later worked with disliked them and always used a leather or cloth lead. So that is what I use. The vet didin't like them running to the end of the lead and getting a hard snap at the end of the lead. She thought that was bad for the neck and the owner doesn't have control of the dog. I think it is much eaiser to control them on a 4 or 6 foot lead.

Mine are all micro chipped so at home they do not wear a collar. The do have collars but I all have a soft choke collar hanging on the hook with tags on them, when I travel they are hooked on the crate and used to walk them.