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From: rpd-info@netcom.com (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Subject: rec.pets.dogs: Supplies for Your Dog FAQ
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=======
There are many FAQ's available for this group. For a complete
listing of these, get the "Complete List of RPD FAQs". This article
is posted bimonthly in rec.pets.dogs, and is available via anonymous ftp
to rtfm.mit.edu under pub/usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list, via
the Web at http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/lists/faq-list.html, or
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send usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list
in the body of the message.
This article is Copyright 1997 by the Author(s) listed below.
It may be freely distributed on the Internet in its entirety without
alteration provided that this copyright notice is not removed.
It may NOT reside at another website (use links, please) other
than the URL listed above without the permission of the Author(s).
This article may not be sold for profit nor incorporated in other
documents without he Author(s)'s permission and is provided "as is"
without express or implied warranty.
==========
Supplies for Your Dog
Author
Cindy Tittle Moore, rpd-info@netcom.com
Copyright 1995-96.
Table of Contents
* Collars
* Leashes
* Food dishes
* Car restraints
* Chew Toys
* Dog Houses
* What Kind of Pet ID Should I Use?
_________________________________________________________________
Collars
A wide variety of collars exist. Leather collars are nice, strong and
sturdy, but they do pick up smells and if they get wet, may become
brittle or start to rot. Nylon stays much cleaner, but may fade,
especially with the brighter colors. Sometimes nylon rips unexpectedly
when encountering something sharp.
A partial listing:
* Flat buckle collars. These may come in either nylon, leather, or
sometimes cloth-covered nylon. These are the buckle type, with
holes along part of the collar for some adjustment.
* Flat quick-release collars. Like above, but with a quick release
snap rather than the buckle. Nylon only. These are very convenient
for easy removal of the collar. Some kinds are adjustable as well,
to a greater degree than the above-mentioned collars, without the
extra collar hanging at the end in smaller sizes. This is very
useful with a growing puppy. Some of these quick release snaps
will break more easily than you might expect.
* Rolled leather collars. These usually have a buckle. These avoid
the chafing or hair breakage that flat collars sometimes do to
dogs.
* Braided nylon collars. These very thin collars are often used in
the show ring. Most people do not use these collars. They are not
very sturdy. Many of them tighten in the same way a choke collar
does. Unless you are showing your dog, don't bother with them.
* Halter-style collars. These are marketed under a wide variety of
names and are really a training tool, although they may be used in
place of a collar. There are several variations, but the principle
is that the collar goes around the nose and is anchored on the
neck. The leash is snapped on under the chin. The leash action is
thus on the nose, much like a halter on a horse. The dog cannot
pull when the restraint is on the nose. These should NOT be
confused with a muzzle -- the dog is not prevented from opening
its mouth. Halter-style collars are especially useful in helping
train a dog away from constantly pulling on the leash. Owners with
back problems will use these as "insurance." You do not leave
these collars on unattended dogs.
* Choke chains. Sometimes called training collars or slip collars. A
wide variety, from large links to small links, usually metal. In
longer haired breeds, may pull hair out around neck. Generally
used for "corrections," hence the sliding action. Be sure to have
the collar on properly, check pictures for correct placement. The
longer and heavier the chain is, the less effective the correction
is (the collar should loosen the instant you release pressure). Do
not leave this type of collar on an unattended dog, as it might
catch on something and choke the dog. Don't use them on a puppy.
Don't put your dog's tags on them, that will interfere with their
action. For a good fit, buy one that barely fits over the dogs
ears when you put it on and is the smallest/lightest possible in
that length. A very heavy chain will not give a good correction. A
"curb-link" type of chain is very good and minimizes catching of
hair.
* Pinch or prong collars. These are a corrective tool. They are not
intended to be a "normal" collar, but are to be used while
training. They have a prong arrangement on the inside of the
collar that tightens around the neck in a correction. A properly
fitting collar rides high on the neck just under the ears. It
*cannot* be slid over the head, you have to take one link out and
fasten it closed around the dog's neck. Never leave on
unsupervised. These collars should never be used on a puppy.
* Harnesses. If your dog is small or delicate, using a harness
instead of a collar when walking will avoid neck injuries. Be sure
the harness fits comfortably and will not chafe the arm pits. You
will probably want to use the harness for walking and still have a
normal collar for the tags. If you have a big dog that likes to
pull, getting a harness will only improve pulling power.
There are some harnesses that are "no pull" harnesses. They work
on the principle that the dog feels like it will fall on its face
when it pulls. They don't work on every dog, but work quite well
when they do. Tip: test them in the pet store before you buy them
to be sure it works for you.
* If you like to ride bicycles, consider getting a Springer and
training your dog to run alongside of you. A Springer will keep
the dog from pulling you over while it's learning to follow you
and is breakaway in case of emergency. Available in mail order
catalogs. There are several manufacturers of these type of
products, all fairly similar and similarly priced.
* Electronic collars are strictly for training and should never,
ever be used without the help and advice from a professional.
Improperly used, these collars can destroy a dog's self
confidence, desire to work and general good will. In general,
electronic collars are not recommended for most dog owners.
_________________________________________________________________
Leashes
Again, there are many kinds of leashes, in different lengths. You will
probably want a short leash for walking in crowds, a longer leash for
just walking along, and an extra long leash (that could just be rope)
for some training exercises.
You can find a variety of snaps on leashes. The most common is a hook
with a knob that pulls down to open the hook (snap hooks). Another
kind is a hook where the lower part pushes in (spring hooks). The
latter are better as they don't accidentally release. Look for hooks
with swivels to avoid twisting. There are a few hooks that actually
screw closed. They are hard to find but can be useful for some people.
* Flat nylon leashes. The most common. They come in a variety of
colors and lengths.
* Braided rope leashes. These look like the rope used in rock
climbing, with the same colorful patterns. These are sometimes
easier on the hand and are quite sturdy.
* Leather leashes. These range from the plain to the intricately
braided. Take care to keep them out of the water to prevent
brittleness. Inspect them for wear. Shorter ones, two to four
feet, are ideal for training.
* Metal link leashes. Especially if your dog likes to chew on
leashes. Sometimes combined with leather, especially for the
handle. Not a good leash to use with a choke-chain collar.
* Flexi-leads. Developed in Germany, these are spring-loaded,
retractable leashes that have a minimum length of 2.5 feet and
varying maximum lengths. They come in a variety of sizes. The
handle is bulky because it contains the retracting assembly, but
there is a comfortable hand grip. Be careful -- it is easy to get
wrapped up in the flexi-lead and rope-burn yourself or at least
get all tangled. These leashes are ideal for letting the dog
explore around you while you walk along. They are not very good to
use when training your dog because of the amount of give in the
rope even when the length is locked in.
_________________________________________________________________
Food dishes
In general you want to get ceramic or metal food dishes. Plastic food
dishes acquire microscopic scratches in which bacteria flourishes. You
should wash the food dishes frequently, just as you do your own.
Always supply fresh water with each meal.
If your dog has long hound ears, you should get the cone-shaped high
dishes that help keep the ears out of the food and water. Otherwise,
any dish will do fine for your dog. There are lots of cute dog dishes
out there.
Some of the larger breeds should have their food dishes elevated to
reduce strain on the neck and back. Most mail-order companies carry
metal frames for dishes. You can also try wooden boxes. Another
possibility is to obtain traffic cones and cut the tips off -- food
dishes then fit snugly on top.
_________________________________________________________________
Car restraints
You should have some way of restraining your dog in the car. This is
for your own safety as well as your dog's. An unrestrained dog that
climbs everywhere may get into the driver's lap and cause havoc. An
unrestrained dog that likes to chew may destroy the interior of the
car. Even an unrestrained dog that lays quietly may be severely
injured if you get into an accident.
There are several types of restraints:
* Harnesses. There are a variety of different restraints that use
the harness and the seat belt to restrain the dog.
* Screens. You can purchase metal screens that fence off an area of
the car for your dog. These are usually used in trucks, sporting
vehicles, vans, and station wagons.
* Crates. You can get a crate to fit your dog and keep it in your
car. This is not feasible for everyone, especially the larger your
dog is and the smaller your vehicle is, but is probably the safest
method of restraint.
* Pickup leashes. There are various ways to restrain a dog in the
back of a pick up truck. These are generally not advisable, but
some people do use them. But if your dog must ride in the back of
a pickup, do use some type of leash. Crates, fastened down, are
even better.
* Leashes. You can even use a leash: clip it on your dog, and either
tie the other end to an arm-rest on the door, or close the door on
a loop of it in such a way that the dog's mobility is quite
restricted. Not the best long term solution, but it can help in a
pinch.
_________________________________________________________________
Chew Toys
Nylabones are best for keeping teeth clean. Followed by either
Gumabones or Nylafloss. Virtually any chew toy has potential problems,
always keep an eye out for them.
Nylabones
Nylabones are most highly recommended. They cost about 3 times
as much as a rawhide but last for a very long time. Some dogs
don't like them and may need some encouragement; most will
happily use them. Some dogs chow down on them so
enthusiastically that they get "slab" fractures on their teeth.
Nylabones should be replaced when the ends show signs of wear.
Gumabones
Gumabones are similar to nylabones, but a bit softer and
without as much tooth cleaning ability. The manufacturer says
that Gumabones are more likable and serve as toys, but the
Nylabone is necessary to satisfy frustration chewing and
chewing due to a need to chew. Some dogs have trouble with
flatulence when they ingest the small pieces of gumabone that
they chew off. Replace when the toy shows signs of crumbling.
Note that there are many kinds of toys out there made of soft
rubber -- Gumabones is a particular brand name of a common sort
of dog toy.
Tuffies
A similar toy is the "tuffy" or "kong" (several manufacturers &
copycats) -- usually a red cone-shaped toy made of rubber that
is sturdier than the Gumabone variety. It comes in a giant
black size, various smaller red sizes, and one that is white
and blue with a throw strap that floats. These are guaranteed
against destruction. This toy has a hollow center and hiding
treats in it can provide your dog with much enjoyment.
Nylafloss (also rope bone, booda bone)
Nylafloss is also well accepted and is the best tooth cleaner
of all. To many dogs, though, it is only interesting when you
wave it in the dog's face. (Nylafloss looks like very a thick,
knotted rope.) Watch out for dogs that like to chew them
through and swallow pieces of string.
Rawhide
Rawhide is not recommended by most people because the dogs tend
to swallow large pieces, which swell and sometimes block the
intestines. Also, if the shank gets slimy but the knot is still
hard, the dog can swallow the shank and choke on the knot. You
can prevent this by buying rawhide in other shapes, such as
chips, or buying shredded and compressed rawhide treats
(although these do not last as long). Lastly, and much more
commonly, they cost a fortune if you have a mid-to-large dog or
a dog with powerful jaws. If you do use them, look for
US-or-locally manufactured ones; imported ones sometimes have
chemical residues.
Bones
There are specially treated bones that resist splintering, and
you can hide treats in the hollow center, giving your dog hours
of enjoyment trying to get them out. Untreated organic bones
may splinter and cause tooth wear or even gum and mouth
injuries. Eating the pieces often results in constipation. The
best bones are the large ones that resist splintering. Replace
after cracks or splinters appear. Small bones, especially
chicken bones should NEVER be given to a dog. They will crunch
down and swallow the bones, which may lodge in the throat and
choke the dog, puncture the esophagus or stomach lining, or
block the intestines. If your dog is not immediately killed, it
will require expensive surgery to get the bone out of its body.
Cow hooves
Cow hooves are better than rawhide because they break down into
smaller pieces and are much cheaper and more durable. However,
like organic bones, they can cause gum and mouth injuries if
they chip. They smell somewhat and may cause tooth wear. Smoked
hooves are available that don't smell as much. Pick out the
largest, most solid hooves; replace when they are worn down to
a small piece. Stop using them if your dog splinters large
chunks off them. Slab fractures are also possible with cow
hooves.
CHOOZ
Another item is CHOOZ, by the makers of Nylabones. This item
looks like a nylabone but is crunchy like a hard dog biscuit.
It can also be tossed into your oven or microwave to change its
texture (makes it lighter and more like a hard bread). CHOOZ
has been involved in at least one case of gastric blockage; you
may not want to use it.
Pig's ears
Pig's ears look like good chew toys, but the truth is that dogs
can eat them in about 15 minutes or so. Dogs love them, but
they are not a chew toy and should be used as an occasional
treat instead. Given too often, they will cause loose stools.
_________________________________________________________________
Dog Houses
In general, your dog should sleep with you in your room at night.
However, you may still want to provide it with shelter, etc. if you
leave it outside while you are gone, for example.
Dog houses
A variety are available, and you can make your own. In general, look
for an elevated floor and sturdy construction. The dog house should be
placed where it will be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Be
sure it is not placed so as to assist escape over the fence. Many
dogs, particularly larger ones, appreciate a flat roof (make sure it
has a slight slope for drainage) that they can lie on when the weather
is hot. Do not be surprised if your dog does not use the dog house. If
you place bedding in the dog house, be sure to clean it frequently,
otherwise pests such as fleas will take up residence.
Kennels
You may want to construct a kennel or a dog run for your dog. Use
concrete or pea gravel for the floor to improve drainage. Make sure
the run includes a roofed over area for shelter from the elements.
Clean out the pen daily to prevent worms and disease. Secure the water
supply so that the dog can't tip it over (try a galvanized bucket with
a double-ended hook to fasten it to the wall. If you use chain link
fencing, be sure to put runners through it if you will keep a bitch in
season in it to prevent mismating. The height should be sufficient to
prevent jumping or climbing; some breeds are better at this than
others. A reference to consult is:
Migliorini, Mario. _Kennel Building and Management_. New York, N.Y. :
Howell Book House, 1987.
Contains a bibliography. Useful tips on how to construct a dog run.
It's oriented toward commercial kennels, but contains lots of
useful tips for the dog owner.
Barriers
Even if you keep your dog inside, you will want to restrain it from
certain areas of the house. A common way to do this is to use a
child-barrier. Pet stores and mail-order companies stock barriers
sturdy enough for bigger dogs. Examples of restraint might include:
keeping puppies in the kitchen or in areas where there is linoleum,
keeping young dogs in a specific room when going through the teething
stage, keeping your dog downstairs or in the basement, etc.
A common barrier used in dog shows is the x-pen. This is a
eight-sectioned, foldable heavy guage wire fence. The ends are clipped
together to form an approximate 4'X4' square area; or several x-pens
may be clipped together for a larger area. Do not leave a dog alone in
an x-pen; another person should always supervise a dog in an x-pen.
The exception is that this can be suitable to restrain a small puppy
with, especially if the x-pen is propped so that it cannot fall over.
A crate is another restraint, this has already been described above.
Bedding
You should give your dog its own bed. Try folded up towels for young
puppies. There are a variety of beds for the fully grown dog -- try
any of them. Be careful with cedar-filled beds. There are reports that
cedar reacts with urine to produce poisonous fumes. You should not let
your dog sleep on the bed with you, instead insist that it sleep on
the floor next to the bed.
_________________________________________________________________
What Kind of Pet ID Should I Use?
There are several steps you can take to increase the chances of your
dog being returned to you if lost, or to decrease the chances of your
dog being stolen.
Pet tags
By far the most important piece of information on your pet's tag is
your telephone number, including the area code. Everything else is
just optional. Some people do not like to put their dog's name on the
collar, as that can make it easier for a thief to coax your dog along
with its name. The choice is up to you. Attach the tag to your dog's
collar securely. Do not use the "S" hooks -- many tags are lost that
way. Use the keyring type of attachment, or better yet, have the tag
riveted onto the collar.
Of course, one problem with tags is that they are easily removed
simply by removing the collar.
There are a few services with which you can register a pet tag and you
get an ID number and an 800 number for the person who finds your dog
to call. Depending on the service, they will guarantee pickup of your
pet, necessary veterinary attention and hold the dog until they can
contact you.
Tattooing
Get your dog tattooed. Tattoos cannot be removed or lost. This will
help identify your dog and get it returned to you (most animal
shelters will not destroy a tattooed dog). It helps deter theft and
ensures that your pet will not wind up in a laboratory somewhere. Your
vet can give you pointers to someone who can tattoo your pet. RC
Steele sells a do-it-yourself kit, worth considering if you have
multiple dogs.
Tattooing is an excellent way to protect your pets. In fact, there are
animal science laboratories and vet clinics around the country that
sponsor low-cost tattoo clinics and tattoo "fairs."
Get the tattoo put on the inside of your dog's thigh. This is much
harder to remove than one placed in your pet's ear. As long as the dog
is over 5 weeks of age, it can be tattooed. The younger the better --
puppies are more easily controlled than adult dogs are.
You must get the tattoo number registered, or it isn't very useful in
locating you. If you use a national registry, use a number that will
not change. (Social security numbers are good.) There is a one-time
fee for registering the number, and you can then register other pets
with the same number.
Anesthesia is not *required* to do a tattoo, though it can help. You
might consider having your bitch spayed and tattooed at the same time,
for example.
You should note that tattooing (or micro-chipping) is a prerequisite
for registering a pure-bred dog in some countries, such as Canada.
Unfortunately, tattoos can fade over time. Also, especially in
double-coated or long-haired breeds, it may be hard to find the tattoo
when the hair grows back. You can keep the area shaven, of course, but
your dog might be lost long enough for the hair to grow back.
Microchip ID
An alternative increasingly popular throughout North America is the
injected microchip. The microchip contains a numbering system that is
readable with a scanner. There are three manufacturers and four
microchips that have been produced. AVID is marketed by AVID and
IdentIchip. Trovan is a German company and their technology is
marketed by Infopet. Destron is marketed under a variety of names in
the US and by Anitech in Canada. The AVID scanner can read all chips
but the Trovan chip. Destron readers can scan all manufacturers chips.
Each company has their own database you can register with. Each
microchip has a code that is assigned to you (or your kennel) and your
pets, Some of the information that is kept on file are extra emergency
numbers to have contacted should your pet be impounded or taken to an
animal hospital due to injury or illness. Your vet's name and number
are also included along with any important medical info about your
animal. This is important for animals that have life threatening
medical conditions that need constant treatment. Keep this information
up to date!
Not all shelters check for the chip, but increasing numbers are doing
so in the US. There are no documented cases of medical problems
related to the insertion of the chip just under the skin. Since
tattoos can fade over time, this is an alternative to consider. It
takes about 2 minutes to insert the chip and fill out the form. After
that, all you have to do is pay yearly dues.
You generally want to be sure that the person doing it has medical
training for sterility and health reasons. The chip must be placed
between the shoulder blades and not migrate (effectively
disappearing). Note that rare occurrence of chip migration does not
hurt the dog, but it can make it difficult to read the chip. It's
suggested that you have the chip read periodically to make sure it's
still in place.
The chip itself is about the size and shape of a grain of rice, The
needle is hollow and on the end of a syringe that contains the chip,
about 3mm wide. Once in, the chip is inserted with the plunger from
the syringe and it is done in about 20 seconds.
Who can I contact?
An article in the August 1993 issue of Dog Fancy goes into this
further. It's called "Beyond Dog Tags" and is on page 27. This article
lists all the microchip companies, tag registries, and tattoo
registries and discusses each of these methods of protecting your dog.
Briefly, these are: Microchips:
* AVID in California (714) 371-7505, nationwide (800) 336-AVID
* Destron in Colorado (303) 444-5306 (Uses Destron chip)
* IdentIchip in Scottsdale, AZ (800) 926-1313 (Uses AVID chip)
(Provides programs for breeders, shelters, and vets.)
* InfoPet in Pennsylvania (612) 890-2080 (Uses Trovan chip) also
(800) 463-6738
* Home Again, microchip registry in conjuction with the AKC (For
both purebred and mixed breed dogs). Contact info@akc.org.
Tag Registries:
* 911-Pets Lost Pet Service Chicago (312) 890-4911
* Petfinders New York (800) 666-LOST or (800) 666-5678
* Pet Find Inc. Oregon (800) AID-A-PET
Tattoo Registries:
(generally also register microchips, etc)
* National Dog Registry New York (800) 637-3647 / (800) NDR-DOGS
* Tattoo-A-Pet New York (718) 646-8200 / (800) TAT-TOOS
* U.S. Found Maryland (410) 557-7332
Thefts
Animal thefts do happen, this is a fear of pet owners everywhere.
First of all, if your dog is missing or stolen, you have a
responsibility to report it to the police. They may not always be able
to do anything about it, but if they get several reports, then they
can justify putting some time on it. Don't make the mistake of
thinking that you are bothering the police!
Call the shelters and the local vets and tell them of your loss, they
can be on the lookout for your dog. Most vets will take a description
of your dog and contact others in the area to keep an eye out for it.
Put up flyers in the immediate area. If your dog has been tattooed or
micro-chipped, it may show up shortly.
Some more information: _Stolen for Profit_, authored by Judith
Reitmen, discusses animal dealers licensed to supply "random source
animals" to research labs. The number to report a missing or
suspected-stolen animal is 800-StolenPet - this is a automated
recording. Their reach-a-live-human number is (415) 453-9984. They can
tell you if there have been other reported missing or stolen dogs in
your area (if, of course, other people reported to them). Bear in mind
that some of these are unnecessarily alarmist type of organizations,
but they can still be useful in helping locate a lost pet.
_________________________________________________________________
Supplies for Your Dog FAQ
Cindy Tittle Moore, rpd-info@netcom.com
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