Does your dog pull?
Even minor pressure on your dog’s neck from pulling is sufficient to cause damage, a new study has shown.
Researchers from Nottingham aimed to mimic the effects of a dog pulling consistently on a leash, or the human tugging the leash (sometimes called a “leash correction”). They used a plastic pipe model to measure the force applied in pulling and tested a variety of eight different collars, including flat and padded webbing collars and leather collars, a rope slip leash, and a check chain.
They found that it’s not about the type of collar used, it’s the pull on the lead. Even at a light pull, dogs risk damage to their neck when walked on a collar and lead. Essentially, for a dog that pulls, the researchers have found there is no such thing as a good collar. “Collars should only be used as a means of displaying ID tags, not for restraint or control. Nothing can replace training a dog to walk on a loose lead but a non-restrictive harness keeps pressure off the neck area if they do pull,” the lead researcher Dr Anne Carter said.
The results showed that although there were differences between the types of collars, all of the collars tested had the potential to cause injury, even at the lowest level of pressure (equivalent to a dog pulling lightly). Other studies have shown the pressures recorded can potentially cause tissue damage to the neck, increase intraocular pressure (the pressure in the eye), and compress the blood vessels. In addition, pressure on the windpipe can not only affect a dog’s breathing, but also affects their ability to cool down in hot weather.
This study reinforces the importance of teaching your dog to walk nicely on a loose leash, and promotes using a harness if your dog does pull. Finally, never use leash jerks and corrections.
Enjoying your walk with your dog walking nicely on lead is one of the joys of dog ownership. It’s why we have so many lead walking games in our Perfect Pet course.
Keep training and keep safe,
Carol