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Q: Our 2-year-old golden pulls on the leash. There's no way the kids can walk her, and she's supposed to be their dog. My husband is the only member of our family strong enough to control her, and she's a trial for him, too.
Our veterinarian recommended we try a head halter. I've seen them a couple of times, but I thought they were muzzles. Do you second the endorsement? -- I.C., via e-mail
A: A lot of dogs pitch a fit when they're learning to accept a head halter, and these tools do seem a tad complicated for many people to put on correctly. That's why I prefer to recommend a front-clip harness, such as the Easy Walk from Premier. Here's the rundown on both pull-stoppers:
Head halter: These work on the idea that where the head goes, the body will follow -- a premise that has helped control horses for centuries. As noted, there can be a steep learning curve and lots of frustration on both sides of the leash. Plus, let's be honest: Head halters are ugly, and they do look like muzzles.
Front-clip harness: The front-clip harness uses a dog's own momentum to stop the pulling. When the dog pulls, pressure on the front of the harness impedes her forward motion. The dog quickly learns to stop pulling while the harness is on.
It's important to remember, however, that a front-clip harness prevents pulling behavior, but it doesn't change it. Put the leash on your dog's collar, and you have a puller again.
Because I'm guessing your exuberant young dog has other behavioral issues in addition to poor leash manners, I'd recommend finding a good trainer.
A couple of private sessions will help you get both the right equipment on your dog and a plan for turning her into a well-behaved member of the family.
Q: My brother almost never cleans his dog's dish. He says the dog eats every crumb of kibble and so cleans the bowl himself. This seems gross to me. Is it dangerous? -- E.U., via e-mail
A: Well, it's not good, that's for sure. Ask your brother if he would put dishes back in the cupboard after licking them clean. (And if he says "yes," make a note to meet him in restaurants from now on.)
Food dishes should be washed in hot water and soap after every meal, and water dishes should get the same treatment daily. They can also be run through the dishwasher, which has always been my preference since my model has a sanitizing cycle.
Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.
