Continuing on from my first Leash Thoughts post, I want to share my technique for teaching a new dog how to deal with strange dogs walking by and avoiding leash aggression problems.

Our dogs are so sweet and loving, we'd do nearly anything for them.  We buy them pretty collars, coats, call them affectionate names... and then they go and do something gross like eating poop in the yard.  Eww!  So what can you do about that?  Here are some suggestions.

Over the many years I've been walking my dogs, I've had some observations and developed some thoughts about leashes.  The first thing I've noticed is that some dogs are more intuitive about how the leash works than other dogs.

Do you worry about your pup's safety when you take him for rides?  I sure do!  Well, I have exciting news to share!  I've discovered a product made by Sleepypod that has actually been independently tested by

There are good times and bad times to muzzle a dog, and good and bad muzzle designs.  Here are some great pointers on dog muzzles.

Like people, dogs experience a large range of emotions and moods.  They also are quite capable of experiencing mixed emotions!

In 2008, my husband Dave and I decided we wanted to adopt a dog.  We'd both had cats all our lives, and had dogs when we were kids.  But neither of us had dogs in our adult lives.  It was time.  I had no idea what was going to happen next!

It's true!  Think of sled dogs.  It pays to select a harness that won't turn a lovely dog walk into an Olympic field trial.  How does a harness encourage pulling?  Let's compare a couple of harness designs...

This is my official marketing policy.  It's more of a welcome mat than a marketing strategy, but I'm okay with that.

Taking your dog for walks can be a real hassle if you don't have the right equipment.  Many dogs will choke themselves pulling hard against a leash attached to a collar and can even injure themselves doing so!  Sometimes a dog can slip out of his collar in a moment of excitement or sudden fear. 

To combat these problems, many people switch to a harness.  What many people don't realize is that most harnesses are designed for a purpose:  to allow the dog to pull things!  The dog has the most pulling leverage with a stationary harness that crosses in front of his chest.  For example:

 

So that doesn't solve the problem.  And some dogs can even back out of a harness in a sudden panic or simple determination!  What to do then?

The solution is to use a martingale-style harness.  HarnessLead is an integrated leash and martingale harness, and quite a unique design.  It's super easy to get on and off the dog:

Slip the loop over the dog's head, pass the leash under his chest and back around through the loop on the dog's withers, adjust the stop and hit the road!  Here's a terrific video demonstration of putting the HarnessLead on and off, along with fitting tips:

Because it gently tightens around the dog's chest when tension is applied to the leash, as when a scared dog tries to bolt, it's virtually escape-proof. 

But also important: the well-being of the dog!  HarnessLead doesn't choke the dog or bind under the arms.  It gently squeezes around the chest.  It's important to not yank on the lead to get the dog's attention, simply let the dog pull.  He will quickly learn that pulling on the leash tightens it, so he backs off and walks nicely.  Here is a short video showing the difference in one dog on the first try:

The HarnessLead's innovative design means that it works for dogs of all sizes and breeds.  We have two sizes and many colors to choose from.

It's machine washable and made in the U.S.A.  If your walks are frustrating and exhausting, buy a HarnessLead today and soon you'll be enjoying going for walks with your dog again!  You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner!  And your dog will thank you!