The Official Pets Discussion Thread

[Rhubarb]

We put jack in a really posh and expensive training kennels from friday to monday over the last weekend. Part of the package was he'd get group training and 2 hours a day of 1 on 1 specific training with a dedicated trainer. When we picked him up on monday evening and asked to know what commands etc he'd been taught, we were told the person who did the training had gone home, so we'd have to call back to find out. The mrs just got hold of them and it turns out they 'forgot' to do the training, and 'forgot' to tell us. strawberry floating clowns, cost us close to £200 for that weekend so the splits are giving us out money back,

Absolute jokers. We go to weekly training classes with Zazu and have done for the last year - I can't even imagine how much of a nightmare she would be if we hadn't done it. Has the added bonus of her always being unconscious for the rest of Sunday when we get home because concentrating so hard completely knackers her.

[Tragic Magic]

Ghost and Willow have started going outside now. Willow is much more adventurous though and will leave our garden very comfortably. I think she has already had her first fight though as she has a sore looking area on her cheek with a patch of fur missing. She's happy though, I just really worry when they go out. Who knows what they're up to

[Corazon de Leon]

Loki strawberry floated off with my hat and my brother's scarf the other week so we made him wear them. It didn't have the effect we hoped for - he was overjoyed.

[Dual]

Such a handsome doggo ^__^

[Ad7]

He looks fabulous.

Jack keeps getting admiring comments when we're out. Twice in the last week we've had people come up and ask if we'd stuff him out due to how fit he is (he's a stunning dog, especially for a chocolate lab). That moment when you wish you hadn't had him done so early

[Poser]

Amazing pic, Cora

It's been a year since we got the behaviourist to help with Nala (to stop her reacting to other dogs, and pulling on the lead).

It's mostly been a success, I can usually walk past other dogs now without her making a lunge (harmless, but doesn't look good).

She is still very strong on the lead though, and my wife is still nervous about taking her out. It also means we can't get other people to take her out, such as friends or parents.

I suddenly remembered the behaviourist had recommended a harness that attaches to the lead at the front of the dog's chest - specifically this one -

http://store.intl.petsafe.net/en-gb/eas ... ess-deluxe

- so I bought it to try. Arrived yesterday.

Holy gooseberry fool it's like she's a different dog. It makes no sense whatsoever, but she simply doesn't pull on the lead any more. Admittedly, we didn't encounter many people/dogs last night, so I need to test it under those circumstances, but bloody hell. I'm kicking myself for not trying it sooner.

Recommended to anyone who has a dog who's strong on the lead.


(Just for detail, we had previously tried a harness that attached behind her shoulders, but it just made her stronger. We had also tried various halti-style collars, but she refuses to walk and just rubs her face on the ground until it bleeds to get the thing off).

[Ad7]

Jack has one that goes around the shoulders and he's ridiculously strong with it. I'm pretty strong and he's had me over a few times, sometimes with me leaning right back feet far apart and I can't stop him. Might have to give that harness a go.

[Drumstick]

Holy gooseberry fool, I might have to get us one of those. Even though the pup (unsure at what stage she is no longer considered a pup so I'm going with it until I'm told otherwise) is only six months old she's already too strong for my fiancee. This means that I need to be present if she needs a quick walk around our residential area which obviously isn't realistic.

Can you give us a couple of updates over the next few days to see if her behaviour remains consistent with that harness on?

[Drumstick]

Oh and obligatory picture of Harley:

[Ad7]

Awwwwwww.

Pets on furniture

[Poser]

Might have to give that harness a go.

Can you give us a couple of updates over the next few days to see if her behaviour remains consistent with that harness on?

Yes, no problem. I'll test it thoroughly over the weekend (will get the other half to try it as well) and will quote you both with an update next week.

[Rhubarb]

We have a Halti (head collar kind of like a horse rein) that my gf uses for walking Zazu, and as you say Poser - you'd think it was a different dog. Unless you've got her attention with food she'd normally try to play with other dogs when you walk past them, with the Halti on she just strolls straight past.

Potato quality Zazu snap:

[Poser]

Might have to give that harness a go.

Can you give us a couple of updates over the next few days to see if her behaviour remains consistent with that harness on?

Yes, no problem. I'll test it thoroughly over the weekend (will get the other half to try it as well) and will quote you both with an update next week.

As promised...

It's really, really good. We all went for a walk yesterday and it was by far the most in control that my wife has ever been of the dog. Complete transformation. The best part is, it doesn't stop the dog being a dog: she still runs around like a loon when the lead is detached. Honestly, I'd strongly recommend it.

One word of caution re the sizing: we followed the sizing chart as below...



...and Nala came in at 85cm, so we went medium/large and I kinda regret it as it is very snug on her. Just about fits ok, and doesn't seem to be pinching, but I'd say if you're close to the threshold, go bigger.

[Drumstick]

I'd probably go for the large as Harley is still growing.

Cheers for the update mate. Seems like this is going to be an essential purchase because despite my best efforts she's still pulling hard.

[Corazon de Leon]

We have one of them for Loki - it's been like night and day. He's a big, big lad and of the three of us who walk him I'm the only one strong enough to fully control him on a walk without it, but it's made things so much easier and stopped him pulling almost completely. Can't recommend it enough.

[Pedz]

Amazing pic, Cora

It's been a year since we got the behaviourist to help with Nala (to stop her reacting to other dogs, and pulling on the lead).

It's mostly been a success, I can usually walk past other dogs now without her making a lunge (harmless, but doesn't look good).

She is still very strong on the lead though, and my wife is still nervous about taking her out. It also means we can't get other people to take her out, such as friends or parents.

I suddenly remembered the behaviourist had recommended a harness that attaches to the lead at the front of the dog's chest - specifically this one -

http://store.intl.petsafe.net/en-gb/eas ... ess-deluxe

- so I bought it to try. Arrived yesterday.

Holy gooseberry fool it's like she's a different dog. It makes no sense whatsoever, but she simply doesn't pull on the lead any more. Admittedly, we didn't encounter many people/dogs last night, so I need to test it under those circumstances, but bloody hell. I'm kicking myself for not trying it sooner.

Recommended to anyone who has a dog who's strong on the lead.


(Just for detail, we had previously tried a harness that attached behind her shoulders, but it just made her stronger. We had also tried various halti-style collars, but she refuses to walk and just rubs her face on the ground until it bleeds to get the thing off).

I'm gonna order that lead. My dog is small but actually quite strong, so having the kids hold the lead can be a bit not OK. Also it bugs me when he's pulling like a douche.

[Poser]

Amazing pic, Cora

It's been a year since we got the behaviourist to help with Nala (to stop her reacting to other dogs, and pulling on the lead).

It's mostly been a success, I can usually walk past other dogs now without her making a lunge (harmless, but doesn't look good).

She is still very strong on the lead though, and my wife is still nervous about taking her out. It also means we can't get other people to take her out, such as friends or parents.

I suddenly remembered the behaviourist had recommended a harness that attaches to the lead at the front of the dog's chest - specifically this one -

http://store.intl.petsafe.net/en-gb/eas ... ess-deluxe

- so I bought it to try. Arrived yesterday.

Holy gooseberry fool it's like she's a different dog. It makes no sense whatsoever, but she simply doesn't pull on the lead any more. Admittedly, we didn't encounter many people/dogs last night, so I need to test it under those circumstances, but bloody hell. I'm kicking myself for not trying it sooner.

Recommended to anyone who has a dog who's strong on the lead.


(Just for detail, we had previously tried a harness that attached behind her shoulders, but it just made her stronger. We had also tried various halti-style collars, but she refuses to walk and just rubs her face on the ground until it bleeds to get the thing off).

I'm gonna order that lead. My dog is small but actually quite strong, so having the kids hold the lead can be a bit not OK. Also it bugs me when he's pulling like a douche.

Honestly, a toddler could hold my dog now, no problem.

[Pedz]

That's good to hear. How does it make such a difference?

[Ad7]

I've read they can be bad for dogs with a big chest as it can crush the rib cage, and Jack has a pretty big chest.

[Poser]

That's good to hear. How does it make such a difference?

I have no clue - I think it's down to where the lead attaches. Pulls the dog to the side slightly.

I've read they can be bad for dogs with a big chest as it can crush the rib cage, and Jack has a pretty big chest.

I honestly can't imagine how it would do that. There's no pressure on the ribs that I can see. Nala is fairly deep-chested.