Monday, March 23, 2015

Which Harness is Best for Your Dog?

 
Back-Clip Harness

Enjoying the great outdoors with your dog can be a special bonding time for both you and your pet, but an out of control, pulling dog can make it a misery (and potentially dangerous).  The use of a body harnesses can be a great tool, it can provide control and comfort for your pet.  They can be especially important to consider for dogs that have pushed-in faces (that restrict breathing), those with trachea or throat problems, and ones with slender necks. For these pets, a traditional leash hooked to their collar can cause them injury or discomfort.  There are many options that vary in style and function. Below lists the pros and cons of the three most common types.
Back-Clip Harness
This type has a ring that the leash will hook to on the top of the dog’s back.  Usually the dog adjusts to the back clip harness easily.
Pros:
·         Easy to put on and comfortable for a dog to wear.
·         Less tangling under the front legs.
·         They protect the fragile neck area.
Cons:
·         They offer little control if a dog has behavior issues, such as pulling on the leash, jumping up or displaying aggression.
Front-Clip Harness

Front-clip harnesses (as the name suggest) clips on the front and is centered on the dog’s chest.  Often trainers will suggest the front-clip harnesses, because they will give the owner more control over pulling, and direction the dog is moving.
Pros:
·         More control over pulling on the leash, jumping up or other poor leash manners
·         Provides the ability to direct the dog
Cons:
·         The leash on the front of the chest can tangle under the dog’s front legs if too much slack is given. 

Tightening Harness

There are variations of the body harnesses that will tighten and add pressure if the dog pulls. The slight tightening can be uncomfortable for the pet, which causes him to lessen or stop the pulling and walk on a looser leash.
Pros:
·         A harnesses that will apply slight pressure to a dog when they pull, but it does not cause pain.
·         They are generally easy to put on a dog.
Cons:
·         The dog doesn’t necessarily learn to walk on a loose leash, only with this type of harness.

·         Some tightening harnesses can feel uncomfortable to your pet. The pet might associate the pain as a negative association with the harness and might fight the usage of the device and/or the activity. 
Wednesday, March 4, 2015

So You Don't Think Your A "Cat Person"? Consider a Ragdoll!


Ragdolls Characteristics                                 
Adaptability *****
Energy Level ***                           Shedding Level ***
Affection Level *****                    Grooming **
Social Needs *****                        Child Friendly****
Health Issues ***                          Stranger Friendly ***
Dog Friendly*****                         Intelligence ***
(5* being most desirable)

So you don’t think you are a cat person…cats can be antisocial, aloof and nocturnal creatures. However, there are breeds that will welcome (and even crave) your attention. Some you can even train to play games with you.

One such breed is the Ragdoll. They are considered very lovable, easy going, social cats and as their name suggest, they become like a ragdoll when picked up or given attention. They are known to meet you at the door and will be your shadow as they follow you around the house and lucky you, they will keep their kitten like demeanor throughout their life.

They are a large breed, with males reaching up to 20 pounds and females about 15 pounds (at full maturity- by age 4). The life expectancy for a Ragdoll is between 12-15 years. Your ragdoll will require some grooming, but it's a small price to pay for the love and attention they bring.

Ragdolls generally do not have many health issues, but can be predisposed to bladder stones and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) a heart condition where there is regional or diffused thickening of the ventricle wall.
Diet and holistic Care can make a world of difference in your Ragdoll’s quality of life:

When considering a new addition to your furry family, take a look at a Ragdoll. Their personality and adaptability might be a perfect fit for your busy life style.