Collars are easy and comfortable for dogs to wear. They are comfortable enough to be worn and not removed. This makes them ideal for displaying dog tags and identification in case they should escape the home. 

Collars come in many varieties and are relatively cheap items so can be changed to suit the season or occasion. They come in many styles, including flat collars, martingale collars, and rolled collars that don’t mat your dog’s hair. They are easy to fit and use.  

To make sure your dog’s comfy, you need to choose a collar that fits well – you should be able to put two fingers under the collar while your dog’s wearing it.  

For smaller dogs, lightweight collars, made from nylon for example, are usually your best bet. If you have a bigger dog, it’s a good idea to choose something stronger and more hard-wearing like braided nylon or leather. Check your collar has been tested and meets the weight requirements for your dog. 

You might find that some people recommend using a check chain to train your dog, which tightens around your pet’s neck if they pull too hard on the lead. This can be painful, and we don’t recommend that you ever use these, but instead speak to an expert for more information if you’re having trouble training your dog. 

Many people use only a collar and a lead when walking their dog. However, this gives your dog plenty of scope to pull and if they’re big enough, drag you forwards.  

With a harness, your dog will struggle to pull like this, as the positioning of the lead attachment means their front legs will come off the ground when they try. Over time, your dog should learn that pulling is ineffective, and this should teach them to walk alongside you in a much calmer manner. 

Brachycephalic dogs – that’s dogs with short skulls and flat muzzles – can suffer breathing issues when too much pressure is placed around the neck. In other breeds pulling on a collar can cause the eyes to protrude. In these situations, a harness is the obvious alternative. 

Lastly, harnesses can be much more secure than collars. If your dog is something of an escape artist and has managed to break free of their collar before, they’ll find a well-fitting harness far more difficult to wriggle out of. 

Dogs will be more likely to take to a harness if they’ve worn one from puppyhood onwards. You’ll need to be patient with putting on the harness and it might be a bit of a struggle at first. 

There are many different kinds of dog harnesses, and each will have a slightly different style and fit. It is important to find a style that fits your dog well. Some will be more suited to one body type than another. Our store colleagues will be happy to help you find a harness that fits your dog correctly.  

A harness should fit snuggly but there should be enough room for 2 fingers to fit under the straps at all points. A badly fitting harness can not only be uncomfortable but may also allow your dog to escape. Ensure that your dog is unable to wiggle out of your chosen harness. It should not run under the armpits or cause hair loss over time. All straps should remain in their intended position throughout use. And if they slip to one side, the harness does not fit correctly. 

A head collar, or halter, is used to guide or lead a dog. Generally, they have one loop that fits high on the neck just behind the ears and another that encircles the dog’s muzzle. Most leads connect to the head collar below the chin. Head collars do not force the dog to keep their mouth closed and are not effective as a muzzle.  

Head collars provide more control than a standard harnesses or collar. As the dog pulls forward, the nose loop puts pressure on the snout, gently guiding the dog’s head into a slight turn. This means a small amount of pulling will turn the dog to face towards you. No pressure is required from the owner/ lead to cause this.  This is particularly effective for strong dogs as they quickly learn that pulling actually stops them moving forwards. 

Each brand of head collar will have different sizing instructions. Please follow these closely to ensure you choose the right size for your dog. Our store colleagues will be happy to assist you with this process.  

Your dog should be able to eat treats, pant, and drink water, while wearing their head collar. It should also not interfere with your dog’s ability to open their mouth. 

You can start lead training a puppy as early as 8 to 10 weeks of age. It's important to introduce the puppy to the collar, head collar, harness and lead gradually, using positive reinforcement to create good experiences with the equipment.  

Here are some steps to help you start lead training your puppy: 

• Introduce the collar, head collar or harness - begin by letting your puppy get used to wearing your chosen training aid. Choose a collar that fits snugly but not too tight and let them get used to this before changing styles. Similarly for harnesses and head collars, these should be soft and well fitting. And keep in mind that your chosen training aid will need to be changed as your puppy grows to accommodate their eventual adult size 
• Positive associations - associate the collar, head collar or harness with positive experiences by giving treats, praise, or playtime whenever you put it on 
• Attach a lightweight lead - once your puppy is comfortable, attach a lightweight lead to your chosen training aid. Allow your puppy to drag it around under your supervision so they become accustomed to the feeling 
• Positive reinforcement with the lead - use treats and praise to reward your puppy when they allow the lead to be attached and when they walk without pulling 
• Short walks - start with short, positive walks indoors or in a secure, quiet area with little distractions. Let your puppy explore while gently guiding them with the lead. If you can, practice walking at your side and without pulling, giving treats to keep them focused on you 
• Be patient - puppies have short attention spans, so keep training sessions short and positive. Be patient and provide positive reinforcement for good behaviour 
• Consistency - consistency is key in training. Use the same cues and commands consistently, and reward desired behaviour every time 
• Avoid pulling - if your puppy starts pulling on the lead, stop walking and wait for them to release the tension before continuing. Avoid reinforcing pulling behaviour 
• Socialisation - use walks as an opportunity for positive socialisation. Introduce your puppy to various environments, people, and other dogs to help build their confidence 
• Basic commands - introduce basic commands like "sit" and "stay" during walks. This helps establish a connection between obedience and walking on a lead 

Remember that every puppy is different, and the training process will vary. Always use positive reinforcement techniques and make training a positive and enjoyable experience for your puppy. If you encounter challenges or have specific concerns, consider seeking guidance from a professional dog trainer. 

Using a muzzle for a dog can be appropriate in certain situations, but it's important to consider the reasons for using one and to choose the right type of muzzle.  

Here are some situations where using a muzzle might be necessary or beneficial: 

• Aggression or fear - if a dog has a history of aggression or fear-based behaviour, using a muzzle can help prevent potential bites and keep both the dog and others safe. It's crucial to address the underlying behaviour issues through training and behaviour modification 
• Veterinary visits - some dogs may become anxious or aggressive during veterinary examinations. Using a muzzle can ensure the safety of the veterinary staff while allowing necessary medical procedures to be performed 
• Grooming sessions - dogs that may become stressed or aggressive during grooming, such as nail trimming or bathing, can wear a muzzle to protect both themselves and the groomer 
• Emergency situations - in unpredictable or emergency situations, using a muzzle may be necessary to prevent a dog from biting out of pain, fear or stress 
• Travel - muzzles can be useful during travel, especially if a dog is unfamiliar with the environment or may feel stressed 
• Breed specific legislation- certain breeds may be required to have a muzzle with out in public by law. 

When using a muzzle, it's crucial to choose the right type and ensure that it fits properly. There are various types of muzzles, including basket muzzles and fabric muzzles. Basket muzzles allow a dog to pant, drink, and take treats, while fabric muzzles may restrict these activities. 

It's important to note that using a muzzle should not be a substitute for addressing behavioural issues through training and positive reinforcement. Muzzle training is very important and should be introduced gradually and associated with positive experiences to reduce the dog's anxiety during use. 

Teaching your dog not to pull on the lead is a common challenge, but there are several training techniques you can use to encourage loose lead walking. One effective method involves changing direction whenever your dog starts pulling.  

Here's a step-by-step guide to the leash trick to stop a dog from pulling: 

1. Choose the right equipment - use a comfortable, well-fitting harness, head collar or collar for your dog. Avoid retractable leads, as they can reinforce pulling behaviour 
2. Start Walking  
3. Begin walking with your dog on a loose lead 
4. Change Direction 
5. As soon as your dog starts to pull, stop walking 
6. Turn around and start walking in the opposite direction 
7. Reward for attention - when your dog looks at you or comes back to your side, reward them with treats and praise. Use high value treats to make the reward more enticing 
8. Continue walking in the new direction 
9. If your dog starts pulling again, repeat the process 

• Consistency is key - be consistent in changing direction every time your dog pulls 
• Reinforce good behaviour by rewarding your dog when they walk nicely on a loose lead. Avoid punishment, as it can create fear and anxiety 
• Be Patient - training takes time, so be patient and persistent 
• Consistent repetition will help your dog understand what behaviour is rewarded 
• Practice in various environments - gradually increase the difficulty as your dog becomes more proficient 
• Consider professional training - if you're having difficulty, consider enrolling in a positive reinforcement-based training class with a professional dog trainer 

Remember that every dog is different, and some may take longer to learn than others. The key is to stay consistent, be patient, and make the training experience positive for your dog. Regular, positive interactions with you and the training process will help your dog understand what behaviour is expected on the lead. 

First off, start by getting your dog used to the idea of behaving calmly on walks by putting their collar (or head collar or harness) and lead on indoors without going outside. This helps to teach them that wearing these items doesn’t automatically lead to all the excitement that a walk brings and, as always, reward your pet with lots of praise and treats for good behaviour. 

Once you feel like your pet’s ready to go outdoors, it’s time to show them how to walk nicely with you. Reward your pet with praise when they walk by your side and, if they begin to pull, stop and wait for them to return to your side before setting off again. Stick to shorter distances at first if you’re finding things slow going but remember that you need to be consistent with your dog to help them learn how to walk on a lead. 

Training your dog's recall is important so that you can maintain control of your dog and help to keep them safe. This is a great skill for your dog, but like all skills, it requires lifelong practice to maintain their training. Here are some top tips: 

• Use high value treats for teaching your dog to return to you. These could be one of their favourite treats such as a tasty meat that they only get when you’re practising recall. Make sure these treats are used sparingly to ensure they do not cause digestive upsets. They should account for no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake 
• Whether you whistle or use a word like ‘here’, the key is to be clear and concise. Wait until your dog is a short distance from you, use your chosen call and treat them immediately for responding correctly. Attempt to get them to associate a specific word, phrase or noise with coming to you 
• If your dog does not respond correctly do not punish them or continue to use your “call”. Instead get their attention and then use the call as they return to you. Repeat the exercise with a shorter distance and reward appropriately again 
• You should start training for recall indoors with as little distractions as possible. Once your dog comes every time, you can move outside into the garden and continue training there, before going outside into more open areas with distractions and a long lead to continue training 
• When practicing recall, do it in short sessions. Don’t get frustrated if they do not respond- if they have setbacks in their training then take it back a step and try again