bostonzest

Category: Boston Dogs

  • Beyond the Collar and Leash

    Over the years, we all learned that many things we thought were perfectly okay for our dogs we now know can actually harm them. Take the evolution from the leash and collar to other forms of control when we walk outside with dogs

    Sassy_0002 - Version 22014-06-16sassy© 2011 Penny Cherubino copy

    Here's Sassy on a regular collar and leash.

    We switched from a collar connection more than 25 years ago when our Westie Sassy began to have a honking cough that was deemed a sign of a tracheal collapse. We alternated using a head collar and a harness for walks to keep from putting pressure on her neck.

    Today, we have a wide range of options for connecting to our dogs when we are out and about in the world. For a well-behaved dog, trained to walk by your side, a comfortable collar and short leash may work perfectly.

    IMG_3510

    No-Pull Harnesses
    For powerful dogs, untrained dogs, or dogs with behavior issues, you may want to use a specialized harness to assist with training. We are currently using the Freedom No-Pull Harness with leashes connected to both the center of our dog Poppy’s chest and the center of her back as a training aid. Friends who walk with us are amazed at how much better Poppy has been walking by our sides with this new rig.

    Ed describes it as steering with the front connection and braking with the rear. We are working towards the day when we can clip one leash on Poppy and head out the door. Right now we are happy to be making progress on her attempts to pull ahead or lag behind when she spots a truck or hears a noise that frightens her.

    IMG_0728 copy

    Head Halters
    The Humane Society of the US says, “The head halter is a very humane method of restraint because it doesn't cause any pain. It works much better to stop a dog from pulling than a choke chain or prong collar.”

    Most dogs do their best to rub off these halters when introduced to them. If your dog does this, the Society says, “The best strategy is to keep his head up and keep him moving by using positive verbal reinforcement and treats

    Hopefully, one day, we can revert to a simple collar and leash. But for now, we are still in training mode, making progress … but still training!

     

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Let Your Sunday Dog Take the Lead
    What's on Your Spring Dog Adventure List?
    Thanks to All the Sunday Dog People Who Did it Right & Shame on Scofflaws

  • Beyond the Collar and Leash

    Over the years, we all learned that many things we thought were perfectly okay for our dogs we now know can actually harm them. Take the evolution from the leash and collar to other forms of control when we walk outside with dogs

    Sassy_0002 - Version 22014-06-16sassy© 2011 Penny Cherubino copy

    Here's Sassy on a regular collar and leash.

    We switched from a collar connection more than 25 years ago when our Westie Sassy began to have a honking cough that was deemed a sign of a tracheal collapse. We alternated using a head collar and a harness for walks to keep from putting pressure on her neck.

    Today, we have a wide range of options for connecting to our dogs when we are out and about in the world. For a well-behaved dog, trained to walk by your side, a comfortable collar and short leash may work perfectly.

    IMG_3510

    No-Pull Harnesses
    For powerful dogs, untrained dogs, or dogs with behavior issues, you may want to use a specialized harness to assist with training. We are currently using the Freedom No-Pull Harness with leashes connected to both the center of our dog Poppy’s chest and the center of her back as a training aid. Friends who walk with us are amazed at how much better Poppy has been walking by our sides with this new rig.

    Ed describes it as steering with the front connection and braking with the rear. We are working towards the day when we can clip one leash on Poppy and head out the door. Right now we are happy to be making progress on her attempts to pull ahead or lag behind when she spots a truck or hears a noise that frightens her.

    IMG_0728 copy

    Head Halters
    The Humane Society of the US says, “The head halter is a very humane method of restraint because it doesn't cause any pain. It works much better to stop a dog from pulling than a choke chain or prong collar.”

    Most dogs do their best to rub off these halters when introduced to them. If your dog does this, the Society says, “The best strategy is to keep his head up and keep him moving by using positive verbal reinforcement and treats

    Hopefully, one day, we can revert to a simple collar and leash. But for now, we are still in training mode, making progress … but still training!

     

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Let Your Sunday Dog Take the Lead
    What's on Your Spring Dog Adventure List?
    Thanks to All the Sunday Dog People Who Did it Right & Shame on Scofflaws

  • Prong or Choke Collars Now Illegal in Some Places

    Recently Toronto enacted a few new laws that canine guardians will want to know about should you be traveling there with your dog. 

    • "No person shall use a choke collar, choke chain, pronged collar or any similar device at any time on a dog" (this does not apply to martingale collars)
    • "… no person shall keep an animal tethered where a choke collar, choke chain, pronged collar or any similar device forms part of the tether.
    • "No person shall tether an animal unsupervised for longer than one hour."

    IMG_2396

    Here's our pal Marley in a nice, wide martingale collar. These are designed for dogs who could pull out of a collar because they have a narrow head. She is also very well trained and walks politely beside us. In this photo, she's watching a squirrel. 

    Cheers for Toronto!

    They are not alone in this action. If you plan to travel this summer with your dog, you should check to see if something still allowed in this area is illegal where you are visiting.

    PINCH_COLLAR_Featured-624x406

    What You May Not Know About Choke/Prong Collars

    Think about your dog’s anatomy and important body parts that are just under the skin on their neck. W. Jean Dodds, DVM, one of the leading experts on thyroid disease in dogs says, “The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ just in front of the larynx and trachea, and the mandibular salivary glands are found on the side of the face just below the ears. Thus, they can be easily injured by trauma and sudden pressure forces (like could occur from the slip ring and chain of metal collar, and a metal prong or hard braided leather collar). A harness or ‘gentle leader’ type collar is preferred these days, especially for strong dogs that like to pull and lunge out when on a standard collar and leash.”

    Naturally, your leash should be short, strong, and always attached to the dog when you are not in a legal, off-leash recreation space. Since the training goal is to have your dog walk quietly by your side, there is no reason to use dangerous extendable leashes. We avoid walking near anyone who uses one since we’ve seen the damage they can do to dogs and people. Dogs on these devices are uncontrolled and unpredictable.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino except choke collar which is courtesy of Positively.com

    Related articles
    My Little Sunday Dog …
    A Sunday Beach Dog Playing on the Tidal Flats

  • Prong or Choke Collars Now Illegal in Some Places

    Recently Toronto enacted a few new laws that canine guardians will want to know about should you be traveling there with your dog. 

    • "No person shall use a choke collar, choke chain, pronged collar or any similar device at any time on a dog" (this does not apply to martingale collars)
    • "… no person shall keep an animal tethered where a choke collar, choke chain, pronged collar or any similar device forms part of the tether.
    • "No person shall tether an animal unsupervised for longer than one hour."

    IMG_2396

    Here's our pal Marley in a nice, wide martingale collar. These are designed for dogs who could pull out of a collar because they have a narrow head. She is also very well trained and walks politely beside us. In this photo, she's watching a squirrel. 

    Cheers for Toronto!

    They are not alone in this action. If you plan to travel this summer with your dog, you should check to see if something still allowed in this area is illegal where you are visiting.

    PINCH_COLLAR_Featured-624x406

    What You May Not Know About Choke/Prong Collars

    Think about your dog’s anatomy and important body parts that are just under the skin on their neck. W. Jean Dodds, DVM, one of the leading experts on thyroid disease in dogs says, “The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ just in front of the larynx and trachea, and the mandibular salivary glands are found on the side of the face just below the ears. Thus, they can be easily injured by trauma and sudden pressure forces (like could occur from the slip ring and chain of metal collar, and a metal prong or hard braided leather collar). A harness or ‘gentle leader’ type collar is preferred these days, especially for strong dogs that like to pull and lunge out when on a standard collar and leash.”

    Naturally, your leash should be short, strong, and always attached to the dog when you are not in a legal, off-leash recreation space. Since the training goal is to have your dog walk quietly by your side, there is no reason to use dangerous extendable leashes. We avoid walking near anyone who uses one since we’ve seen the damage they can do to dogs and people. Dogs on these devices are uncontrolled and unpredictable.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino except choke collar which is courtesy of Positively.com

    Related articles
    My Little Sunday Dog …
    A Sunday Beach Dog Playing on the Tidal Flats

  • Boston Common Off-Leash Area on the Move!

    It looks like my morning walks will have a dose of added joy as I get to walk by the new location of the Boston Common Legal Off-Leash Recreation Area. 

    IMG_2323 copy

    The signs were in place. The pack had gathered alongside the long uphill path I chug up to get to the State House which is my turnaround point.

    IMG_2334 copy

    On the way down, I can enjoy watching the dogs play or line up for treats.

    IMG_2336 copy

    This seems to be the most popular guy in the pack!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2017 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend
    Who Are the Men Depicted in These Profiles on Boston's Statue of Alexander Hamilton? – BostonZest
    A Weekend for Reflection – BostonZest

  • Boston Common Off-Leash Area on the Move!

    It looks like my morning walks will have a dose of added joy as I get to walk by the new location of the Boston Common Legal Off-Leash Recreation Area. 

    IMG_2323 copy

    The signs were in place. The pack had gathered alongside the long uphill path I chug up to get to the State House which is my turnaround point.

    IMG_2334 copy

    On the way down, I can enjoy watching the dogs play or line up for treats.

    IMG_2336 copy

    This seems to be the most popular guy in the pack!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2017 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend
    Who Are the Men Depicted in These Profiles on Boston's Statue of Alexander Hamilton? – BostonZest
    A Weekend for Reflection – BostonZest

  • This Pup Is Not Spoiled …

    Sometimes it seems we would do anything for our dogs. Even help carry a BIG stick.

    IMG_2257 copy

    But, we should make it clear this pup is not spoiled – just very good at training people!

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • This Pup Is Not Spoiled …

    Sometimes it seems we would do anything for our dogs. Even help carry a BIG stick.

    IMG_2257 copy

    But, we should make it clear this pup is not spoiled – just very good at training people!

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Sunday Horse, Winston! Your Support Is Needed to Keep Our Mounted Patrol

    It was such a pleasure to see Winston and his mounted Park Ranger adding a highly visible degree of protection to our parks.

    IMG_3536 copy

    Watching this pair interact with park visitors proved what great ambassadors the mounted patrol and their most attractive horses are for our parks. Each year The Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit have to raise enough money to keep this program going.

    If you want to see this program continue, visit their webpage and make a donation. Stay informed about their activities by following their facebook page. 

    IMG_3539 copy

    Our Greyhound pal Marley really enjoyed her first encounter with one of these very much larger-than-her critters.

    IMG_2233 copy

    Judging by Marley's reaction, we suspect she has a big crush on Winston. She watched him intently until he disappeared from her view.

     

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Messing About in Boats, 1939 Style

  • Sunday Dogs and People Ask, “Is It Just a Walk?”

    For those of us with dogs, our daily routine includes a number of short walks to take care of their needs. Somewhere in that schedule is a longer walk to give you and your dog some exercise and perhaps a bit of fun. On weekends or vacations, these walks may turn into adventures in new settings with great things to see, hear, and for your dog to sniff!

    Unspecified

    Two-year-old Sam loves his early morning walk. He practiced his sit when Penny met him. His person said this daily routine gets her going too!

    One friend calls this “the long walk.” We call it "Poppy’s exercise" because she will gladly go inside on her puppy pads to avoid being outside. But she does need to move her little body and get her pulse rate up at least once a day, so we take her for a mile or two trot around the neighborhood.

    A Study on Walking the Dog

    A recent study titled, “(Just) a Walk with the Dog? Animal Geographies and Negotiating Walking Spaces,” argues that “… walking with dogs represents a potentially important cultural space for making sense of human–animal relations. We show how the personalities of both dog and walker can shape not only walking practices, but also the human–animal bond. We contend that the walk is a significant arena where relations of power between animal and human are consciously mediated.”

    It makes you think about the interactions you see as people walk their dogs. Is the dog having fun? Are the dog and human interacting or are they on separate missions? Who is training whom?

    IMG_2129 copy

    One of Poppy's favorite snow day activities is to run in the snow with Ed. Look at that waggin' tail to see how much she enjoys this.

    Be A Dog!

    One command you should regularly give your pal on the other end of the leash is, “Be a Dog!” To us that means Poppy can follow her nose, sniff at the corners, or hop up on a bench and relax. She gets a turn to do what she wants on the walk.

    Other times we may need some faster-paced exercise and she will have to walk along with us to allow us to get what we need from the walk.

    It's a matter of give and take. Sometimes Sam gets a longer walk. Sometimes Poppy gets to play in the snow. Sometimes Sam's person wants to get home sooner. Sometimes we want to walk faster. Everyone should get a turn now and them.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us
    Wolfgang: Tiny Dog with a Big Name
    What's on Your Spring Dog Adventure List?