Candy/Sally/Jessie
Max
Kayla/Logan/Yoshi/Toyah
The following items of equipment are required
for basic training. Just like every other product there is quality and
there is rubbish. The items you require are a one-off purchase. It is worth spending a
little more for good quality, safe equipment.
Puppies
1.2 metre Leather Lead
Leather Collar
Benching/Tie
Out Chain
Benching/Tie
Out Spike
Rubber Ball or Kong
10 Metre Tracking/Control/Puppyline
Scent/Retrieve Bag
Larger/Older Puppies
As
well as the above
Quality Choke/Check Chain
Dogs
As well as the above
0.6 metre Leather Lead (Traffic Lead)
Dumb-bell
Manwork
A Wide, thick, strong Leather Collar with a substantial buckle and
welded "D" Ring
Nice to have
Star
Ball or Kong
Long Link Choke/Check Chain
0.35 Leather Lead. Ideal for Jumping and Agility as it does not
snag or get caught-up on Jumps or Agility obstacles.
Do's and Don'ts - Good and Bad
Leads
Do not purchase a Nylon Lead. Nylon will burn the hands and
tends to have sharp edges. A cotton webbing lead is suitable but tends to collect
every burr, grass seed and blackjack in the area. Leads made from Chain are banned
from my training classes. Apart from being very unkind to the hands they are a
positive danger to the dogs head, teeth, jaw, nose and eyes.
Raw
leather is hard, uncomfortable to use for both handlers and dog and prone to
cracking and breaking. Purchase pre-treated leather equipment or treat
raw leather equipment with a suitable leather oil.
Choke/Check Chains
Choke chains are no good if they are too short or too long for the
dogs neck. Chains should be fitted the same as you would fit new shoes. Do not
buy thin, fine chain because you think it suits your dog. Consider wrapping a piece
of seatbelt around your arm and pulling it tight. Now imagine doing the same thing
with a piece of fishing line ! Chains should be made of thick wire (3mm min) and
have a broad, wide profile. Every link should be properly welded, as should the
"O" Rings at either end. Do not buy chain with the "Keyring"
type "O" Rings - they will open up. Unwelded or poorly welded links will
also open up and distort, creating a "sawblade" effect which will cut and chafe
and injure the dogs neck.
Choke/Check chains and collars, whether made from chain. leather
or nylon must never be left on a dog. When not working/walking, replace with a
leather collar with a buckle or leave the neck free.
Close
link check chains for training and long link (fur saver) for normal use.
Tracking/Control Lines
Again, do not buy nylon - it will burn your hands. A pure
cotton line with a suitable clip securely affixed, together with a proper handle is what
is required. A piece of rough rope with clip and handle secured with knots, is not
suitable. If used for tracking these ropes will snag on grass and have a
higher wind resistance.
Wide
cotton webbing is "heavy" on dog and handler and because of the
width, will generate significant wind resistance. Your line will billow
like a sail. Tracking handlers know the fine communication the tracking
line gives. The tension caused by wind resistance on the line, can be
misinterpreted by the dog, pulling him off the track.
Toys
Every dog should have some toys, just like your children.
Rope toys strengthen the jaw and clean teeth and rubber toys encourage the retrieve and
sharpen reflexes. When playing games with the dog make sure he wins. If he
keeps losing the game he will become fed-up and not enjoy his playtime. Toys are
also an excellent reward system for a dog who has performed well. Do not leave toys
or equipment with your dog - he will destroy them.
Your Dog also needs grooming !
Please ensure that you have a Rake, Comb and
Brush
Geoff Lloyd
Working Dog Training
-
Contact Information
- Telephone
- National: 011-882-5340
- International: +27-11-882-5340
- Fax
- National: 011-882-5340
- International: +27-11-882-5340
-
- Postal address
- PO Box 891405, Lyndhurst,2106, Gauteng, SOUTH AFRICA
- Electronic mail
- General Information: workingdog@intekom.co.za
Sales: workingdog@intekom.co.za
Customer Support: workingdog@intekom.co.za
Webmaster: kannemeyer@intekom.co.za
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