14 replies to this topic

[Debi]

Good evening everyone!

I was showing our neighbors the Song Dog website and they were particularly interested in how we were going to convince the "rural" neighborhood that we were not housing a coyote! As we do live in an area where coy's have been sited, it has started to worry me just a little. We will be socializing Sol to the neighborhood at an early age and we have bought him a VERY bright blue collar (blindingly blue) - but...

So - I was wondering if any of you have had any run in's with people who are not familiar with our dogs and what may or may not have happened...

Just for the record - I believe it is only their ears and snouts that make them look relatively like a coyote! But Colleen thought it was their faces all around!

[Karen]

Debi, on Feb 11 2009, 02:21 PM, said:

Just for the record - I believe it is only their ears and snouts that make them look relatively like a coyote! But Colleen thought it was their faces all around!

I got a bright collar for the same reason, as we live in the woods and there are lots of coyotes around. but even with her very coyote-like coloring, Danza isn't mistaken for one. Her coat is much smoother and nicer. She is smaller, and her build is different - she does not slope down towards the hips like a coyote. And she moves nothing like one! She is friendly and doesn't try to hide and slink around.

If we had hunters around, I would worry and I would put a pack on her outside the house. If we're going to be walking in the woods I use a bright harness because you never know if she's going to run off. Her collar also has her name and our number embroidered on it, but that is partly because she chews any tags until they are either unreadable or broken in half.

Karen

[Allison]

Kim La Flamme said:

One of the biggest problems is most people have never even seen a coyote in person, if they had they would know these are not coyotes … they may resemble them a little, maybe from a distance. That is one reason why I always ask new potential owners if they are in a rural area if they have neighbors that shot coyotes. If so I recommend non-coyote colors for their pup.





I have heard of & had one of my own dogs years ago shot by a rancher out in a pasture. But then again I’ve heard of ranchers shooting boarder collies, Kelpies, McNabbs, Malumuas etc … for coyotes.



It never hurts to introduce them around to neighbors … always good for socializing & educating people on the breed any way ~



Kim La Flamme ~ founder/trustee of the AIDog breed for over 45 years -- www.indiandogs.com

[taylorRichie]

I also recommend a reflective collar not only bright but reflective. And try to use Hi-Vis safety lime yellow for the color, with scotchlite reflective material.

I didn't know the existed so I searched... here you go: http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-High-Visibilit...g/dp/B000VNNU94

This is the color that has been proven to be the most "in tune" with the human eye. That's why firetrucks, motorcyclists, bicyclists etc. are switching to this color.

Good luck!! I think you'll be just fine

Another good one:
http://www.all-about-great-danes.com/refle...dog-collar.html

I have brewer on a Bamboo namebrand Scotchlite stitched with built in leash: http://www.thepamperedpetmart.com/Merchant...mp;qtk=6W6wrj6g

His is Red.

Edited by taylorRichie, 12 February 2009 - 07:49 AM.

[Jamacee]

ok very cool collar. but on the great dane site - pink? - c'mon man lolol - I'd def go w/ one of the ylw ones - but that quick leash collar is really a great idea - do you for see the elastic loosing it's elasticity?

sorry for hi-jack

bringing it back for debi --- Anything high visibility - introduce your dog to the neighborhood - and know when hunting season starts

[Debi]

Thanks to Kim (and Allison!)...we plan on getting him into the neighborhood ASAP. We are hoping our neighbors, whose dog passed away a few months before Meekos , are going to fall in love with Sol - they have been eagerly awaiting him as much as we have! That way they can see him, love him, and then get on the next waiting list! :-)

We don't have any neighbors who have shot a coyote, but we do have some that have been known to shoot first and ask later. Being out of the city limits and having no "true" law in the "boondocks"...they will be the first ones to know that Sol is with us. I have taken care of their calves, goats, sheep, and dogs when they didn't have the sense to pen them correctly...whole 'nother story and I won't get into it - simply put - these ppl shouldn't have animals! And the animals know it - so they generate across the field to our front porch.

Bright collars are being shipped as we speak! ;-) Thank you, Richie! I'm a HUGE fan of Amazon and had a $25 rebate from our Amazon Visa that covered lead and collar - we went with the bright yellow. We walk alot at night and Meekos had a green and purple one that we got rid of after he passed. These will be great!

The pack suggestion was a good one, Karen! We are hikers and bikers (the pedal kind) and had thought about training Sol to pack carry - this clinched it! So frisbees and packer...he'll have alot to do!

Jason, thank you! We don't have hunting allowed in the woods across the field - it's private property but as the daughter and sister of AVID hunters, I do know the seasons!

Thank you everyone!!!

[taylorRichie]

Jamacee, on Feb 12 2009, 09:18 AM, said:

ok very cool collar. but on the great dane site - pink? - c'mon man lolol - I'd def go w/ one of the ylw ones - but that quick leash collar is really a great idea - do you for see the elastic loosing it's elasticity?

sorry for hi-jack

bringing it back for debi --- Anything high visibility - introduce your dog to the neighborhood - and know when hunting season starts

It may loose the elasticity, but They're on closeout at the local petco for $8, we bought several so I have backups... Although he only wears one when we're out and about, around the house he doesn't wear a collar. And for training he wears a leerburg training collar (simple collar highly recommended, much better than oldfashioned Choke style collars, and less harsh, lighter than prong).

===

Glad you picked up one of those collars and I may get one for the dogs when we go backpacking.

[Allison]

I just want to throw in here, that we used the prong collar for a while, but he gets used to it, and will pull anyway. That's how stubborn they can be. I looked up some of the Lerrburg collars, and I think I'll try the dominant dog collar.

I found Coyo got used to everything, so switching them around gave me some leverage. Now the halti's are very good--not so much for training, maybe, but they do the trick for a pulling dog.

Coyo wears a rolled leather collar with his tag on it, but I do not use it for attaching a lead, except sometimes for a few minutes--quick pee, or something like that. He wants his collar back on, after he is bathed. No kidding. Asks for it.

I switch to something else for training.

He wears hunting collars when we are out in Walla Walla--they shoot anything, horses, etc. Apparently, you do not have to take an IQ test to own a gun.

I'll never forget coming around a corner to face a hunter and his dog. We both sucked in some air.

[taylorRichie]

The Leerburg dominate dog collar is what I use with Brewer... A standard choke didn't even phase him... This however he is very receptive too. And according to Mr. Frawly, it's much less harsh.

[liz]

taylorRichie, on Feb 13 2009, 11:46 PM, said:

The Leerburg dominate dog collar is what I use with Brewer... A standard choke didn't even phase him... This however he is very receptive too. And according to Mr. Frawly, it's much less harsh.

So you haven't been stood with the halti in your hand and your dog on the loose yet then? Shunka would walk beautifully with one on until he wanted to be off, one shake off the head and he's be gone!

I find the gun slip excellent, he walks well on it, and can't throw it when he has mind to, as it slips tighter. Usually he walks with it slack around his neck, but at least I know I have control when I need it, or a quick release also.

I suppose it works as a check chain, but much kinder, doesn't seem to leave a mark so much on his neck fur either.

I have to be very careful where there are sheep about, if he was loose amongst them he could well be shot, although he wouldn't bother them, rounds them up very well though!

Most people think Shunka could be a wolf hybrid, they don't see either coyotes or wolfs generally over here. They are enlightened very quickly!

[Karen]

We tried a halti, it was a no-go. She acted like she had a bee up her nose! When we take our walks on our road at home she is a perfect angel, heels no matter what she is wearing. Doug walks her on her regular collar, both dogs heel to the left. But if I get her anywhere else for a walk it is too exciting and she loses her head. I use a halter, she pulls much less with that. With a collar, no matter what kind, she'll pull until she gags.

The halter had the added advantage when she was younger of being a great handle for catching. That was before I got her under control at the dog park. Now I can have her down stay to put her leash on to take her back to the car. Happy days! Of course, if she is so worn out she is practically falling down, she does not pull.

Karen

[Allison]

The nose halti didn't work for us either. He sat down and would not move. The other version that goes around the forelegs is the winner for us. I think it is called the gentle leader. When he has that on, he does not pull too much. I have to be so careful with my neck, still.

Coyo can get out of most things, as well. It is amazing how skinny he can make himself. So it is a measure of his commitment, that he stays on any leash, the gentle leader as well.

I think those ones like great danes, and greyhounds use, those wide collars, work well. Like Caesar's collar, it tightens around a wider area--the whole neck. They are called limited chokes.

We do not do too much walking next to each other. He usually ranges around me about 15-25 feet. Many collars are not suited to that type of walking. I bring him to heel around other people, but let out the line after that.

That is what we like, and to each his own. We have a whole wall of leashes and collars, packs and harnesses. We use them all, depending on the situation. I still need more, though, as we want to get the official mushing X-back harness.

[liz]

Yes tried the halter type, on Shunka but he grew too strong to hold on that, he doesn't pull unless he really wishes to get away from me. then I tried the loopy (gentle leader?), it was supposed to raise the front legs from the floor so the dog can't pull, huh, try it with one with strong back legs, it don't work!

He's happier on the slip, it's such a simple thing, a rope passes through a loop or ring, and this can slip or be restricted by a knot or leather attachment, and the other end is a grip made of another loop in the rope.

I agree though each to his own, or to his own dog rather, it's trial and error to see what works best, but if they really want to go, they do their best whatever!.

Edited by Allison, 15 February 2009 - 10:25 AM.

[bigdog322]

Hello

Been away for a bit. Just signed in to catch back up. Saw this thread and it caught my eye, though it looks like it has migrated to a collar and OB topic now. Dont mean to offended anyone but sounds like there are some trainig issues going on here. A prong collar is different from both a choke or Leerburgs dominate collar as you can adjust it for proper size and it has a stopping point. Meaning that it will not close to "zero" like a choke/Leerburg. With both these types of collars you can actually make a dog pass out due to lack of blood flow to the brain. A prong collar is not designed to do this, so a dog could pull and pull and pull...becoming desensatized to the pain. A prong is intended for short snappy corrections.
Sorry to have gotten on my soapbox.
Again I mean no offense to anyone.

Richard

[Allison]

No offense taken.

Glad to see you weigh in on the issue.