You can tell I'm off work at the moment, 2nd post today. Our 11 week old lab is rapidly growing out of her puppy collar. What should I buy next? Will be starting walks this week. Presume halties and harnesses would come later and thought of just getting a bigger 'standard' collar/lead and see how we go. Could I try a harness now, if so do they alter to accomodate a pup/fully grown lab. Would a half-check be a good idea to try now when walking?

you could go fr a harness or halti now althought i dont like harnesses and personally wouldnt use one but thats just personal.

my dogs are on haltis as soon as they dog out but you will still need a lead and coller for your puppy so go for a slightly bigger one.

Half-check or normal. (I think the black half-checks look really good on a black dog)

Errmmmm - how about a bigger flat collar? Haltis and harnesses are all very well if you want to do the school run with the pup and don't want them to learn how to pull on a flat collar - but if you intend to train them to walk on a loose lead you only need a flat collar (and don't forget that if you're in the UK your dog needs, by law, to wear a collar with a tag showing your address - a half check can easily slip off the dog if it gets loose.........)

I didnt know it was law for your dog to wear a name tag!! Thanks for the warning. Is it still required if she is micro-chipped?

yes - if you think about it, it makes sense - anyone finding your dog can make efforts to return it to you, without having to involve the police, I know I'd rather have somebody return my dog than have to go and get it from the police kennels......

I know a lot of people leave the half checks on all the time, but basically they should only be used when walking.  What I've done in the past was had a thin collar with tags and then leave the half check on the leash and slip over their heads for walking.  That way they've always got ID on, and if the half check is fitted properly they can't slip it.  I've seen so many dogs of all breeds pulling and the space that the flat collar gives they could sooo easily slip it.  Even more so with breeds that have larger necks than heads (ie whippets - like mine).

However, even if you do leave a half check on if it is fitted properly it still should not be able to fall off the dog.  My worry about leaving it on is that there is a bigger possiblity if using a half check with a chain that the chain will catch on something and string up the dog.  Collar accidents are common:(

Wendy

The half-checks that we use have a push/click fastening so that the collar is not loose and you can't pull it off over the head. There is no problem leaving them on all the time.

Daisy

Those sound really interesting!  Is there a website where I can have a look at them.

I do have some specially made 1/2 checks that a whippet friend made for my girls.  Because the whole thing is nylon it sits on their neck like a collar and can be left on.  I worry with the chain type - and I wouldn't leave those on my girls.

I would be interested in seeing the ones you use.

Wendy

These are a thick webbing and still have the chain at the front - but I buy them from our training club. They are similar to the Kumfi Snap-On Half Check  http://www.thingsfor-pets.co.uk/acatalog/Back_to_Main_Page_Collars___ID_for_Pups_and_Dogs__inc_Greyhounds___57.html

Daisy

Wendy, Blackdog Wear also do some brilliant stuff, including Sighthound and Whippet collars, specifically for those with smaller heads than necks. http://www.blackdog.net.au/collars.html

The Blackdog sighthound collars are very similar to what my whippet friend in the States has made for me.  Hmmm - am going to have to check these out though and see if they ship to the UK - those are very funky!!!

Wendy

Yup, they ship all around the world :) Might have to send them an email to find out exactly how much postage will be though.

I was recommended a halti for my boxer as he is very strong and we have more control over him. He is excellent on the halti we have a loose lead. His head is by my thigh and 75% of the time he is looking at me for his next instruction. Bearing in mind he is only 7 months is doing great. he also has a normal smark collar on with tag etc.

wow a boxer thats obedient...if i get a boxer i will come to you!:D

Oy!! My Boxer beat collies in obedience, they are clever enough to teach people to think they can't be trained ;-)

Im a little insulted by the boxer comment. Bradley is top of his class amoungst labs dobs and BCs.
Boxers are also guide dogs in the usa. They are also used in the Military.

Well it has taken alot of hard work to get him where he is (tears, hours of repetiveness, give and take, trust and willingness from his majisty). We still have a long way to go. We finished section 2 of out intermediate training with 10 out of ten. His stay is second to none i can walk away make tea and have a biscuit and he is still there.

I saw boxers on 'Best of breed' yesterday was it? on Animal planet and i have to say i never knew they were used as seeing dogs..
Very good they were too!
I use half nylon/half chain, but merely for identification as it has her tag on it, otherwise she's in a halti. The collar is never worn round the house anyway (she is naked) :)

Sarah

That'll be "breed all about it." ;-)
Someone once told me that iif your dog gets loose and is handed into the police if the dog doesn't have a collar on its a £2000 fine. Does anyone know if thats right?