Dog harness for bike riding

by Mary
(Chicago)

Question:

Hi All
I am looking for a harness type that will keep my dog on the side of the bike when we go for a ride. I did see one in a book and it reminded me of the old side cars on motorcycles. Any suggestions?
thankx
mary

Answer:

Mary, thanks for your question. Offhand, we cannot think of a particular harness like that. However, if you were to make our custom dog harness and combine it with using the B-Loop on the front stem on your bicycle, your dog would be at the side. See bicycle exercise with dogs for the B-Loop instructions. Just using the B-Loop with a collar and leash setup puts Comet at the side of my bicycle and I can adjust the length of the leash to keep him closer in or further out as needed. Our dog bike leash page has further details on proper use of this device.

Having the leash attach right above the front wheel keeps the center of gravity low enough so that he can no longer pull me off when he decides to go crazy over a cat!

Hope this helps - Jo

Dog's Leash

by Noriz
(Philippines)

Question:

If my dog is already a teen/adult, and I didn't let them experience using a leash, would they still have a chance of wearing one now?

Answer:

Noriz, first realize we are not experts on dog training. However, in our opinion you can train a dog to get used to new things even when they are older.

It takes loving kindness and patience. And some dogs respond better when you give them treats. Just don't overdo the treats. And keep the training sessions short - less than ten minutes and no more than twice a day.

Yelling, hitting or forcing a dog to do something they see as uncomfortable will not work - it will just make them scared or mean.

You might start out by just attaching the leash to the collar and letting the dog get used to how the weight of it feels.

And then you can let the dog walk around with the leash to get used to something following him/her.

It helps if you have taught your dog to come without a leash. You can then give a gentle tug and issue the "Come" command to have the dog follow you. Otherwise, you will need to teach that command as well.

For further information, we recommend SitStayFetch.

Doggie front pack carrier

by Cassandra
(Baldwin, NY)

Question:


I would like to make a carrier for my small dog (a Westie) that would fit against my chest and loop around my neck or back.

Answer:


At this time we don't have a design for a doggie sling. If you haven't already found a design, here are some suggestions:

Find a baby carrier in a store or one that's owned by somebody you know and look at how it's constructed. Or visit a dog park and ask small dog owners if anyone they know has a carrier. If possible, take pictures with a digital camera.

Then take an old sheet or piece of scrap fabric that's big enough and make a dummy version using safety pins instead of straight pins if you want to try your doggie in it. Remember to allow enough room so that you can fold raw edges under and make seams. You can use strapping off old backpacks for the straps or create your own from your fabric. You might also want to put a firm bottom in the pack by taking a piece of rectangular plastic from an old milk jug or large juice container.

Can anyone tell me how to make a show lead?

by Kristen
(Enumclaw, WA)

Question

I have recently joined a local 4H group and I need a show lead for a fair. I don't want to purchase one but don't want to look not professional - can you help me make one or should I buy one?


Answer

Kristen, it looks like it should not be that difficult to make. However, we are going to turn this over to our site visitors since we are not sure quite how to make one. Anyone have any suggestions for Kristen as to how to make a professional looking dog show lead? (Please answer in the Comments section).

Thank you!

Jo

How to Make a Trumpet Collar
(Elizabethan or e-collar)

Question:

Can you make a dog trumpet collar? (To protect a wound healing) The last time I had to buy one it was so expensive, and I thought I had read somewhere on how to make one.

Answer:
This type of dog collar is also known as an Elizabethan or e-collar. Following is a link with instructions on how to make one using a plastic bucket or cardboard box for bigger dogs or a sturdy paper plate for a small dog.
http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/elizabethan.htm

We think that for a bigger dog you could also just use the cardboard semi-circle, and then duct tape the edges together rather than threading the dog's collar through it or making holes and lacing the sides. Of course, you might go through quite a bit of tape if you need to take the collar off and put it back on each time your dog eats - we usually go with what we have on hand first.

Another idea might be to take an old lampshade and cut it to size, then tape the edges or staple them together.

Jo

Homemade Dog Party Collar

by Kate
(Maumelle, AR, USA)

Question:
How do you make a pet "party" collar?

I've seen them in several stores and online but the prices are ridiculous! Our pug hates wearing clothes but she can still dress up for holidays with a party collar. She has a green one for St. Patrick's Day and a red sparkly one for Christmas.

They are stretchy around her neck so they aren't uncomfortable and extremely light weight. They are ideal for dressing her up!

Answer:

Although we haven't tried making one, it looks like you would want some wide pants elastic to make a base collar. First fit the elastic around your dog's neck without stretching it. Then cover it with a tube of shiny, solid colored fabric to hide the white elastic color. Next simply take bunches of gauzy type fabric in the same or a contrasting color, sew it to your base collar in the pattern you desire, and glue on stars, sequins, bells or anything else you fancy. Check the fit on your dog before you sew the ends of the base collar together. You can also use several different colored fabrics. It will look more professional if the colors of the thread you use match your fabrics.

Need XXXL Dog Crate,
Does anyone know a brand?

by Hilary
(Victoria, Canada)

Question

I need an XXXL dog crate for airline travel. My dog is a Giant Schnauzer and he needs a crate that is at least 40-42 inches high/ tall. Does anyone know a brand that can accommodate this? If not a brand, a custom crate maker?

Answer

Hilary, I don't know of a particular brand but you could contact companies selling crates online - yours cannot be the only large breed dog that has needed an airline crate.

If that doesn't work, and you would like something custom made, talk to someone at a local welding shop and see if they would be willing to tackle this. If you could get a photo or drawing and dimensions to them, as well as the desirable weight, they may be willing to do the job. I imagine it will cost you several hundred dollars. The airlines may also have information regarding distance between bars, weight, etc.

Anyone else have ideas or information? Please add them to the Comments section.

Thank you! Jo

Dog crate for Huskies

by Billie-jo
(Wales, Anglesy)

Question:

I'm breeding my Malamute and she's big so we need a big crate to fit her and her pups when they need feeding. I can't find anything. Please help me. Thank you.

Answer:

Hello Billie-Jo,

There are several options that come to mind:

Option one: You could advertise that you're looking for a large crate through an online ad. It would help if you could measure your Malamute to provide dimensions so that you don't go chasing after a crate that is too small. I would suggest looking for a crate at least a foot longer than she is and about three times as wide. Leave at least three inches clearance above your dog's head.

Option two: You could get a large refrigerator cardboard box, cut air holes in the sides and a door, and use fiberglass on the outside to stiffen it, as well as for the floor. The fiberglass could get quite expensive.

Option three: You could build your own crate out of metal rods. Wood could be used but it would not be chew proof. The floor and ceiling could be plywood; then drill holes that are the diameter of the rods along the perimeter of the plywood pieces. Glue the rods in place. Leave room for a door - this will need to be on some type of hinge such as a gate hinge and it should have a strong fastener that you apply from the outside to keep the dogs in. Cover the floor with an old carpet for cushioning, then some thick plastic or tarpauline material that you staple onto the underside of the board for urine proofing. (You do not want staples to be on the top side since the holes might be leaky). Finally add some old rubber mats so the dogs' claws do not tear holes in the plastic (a possible source of these mats would be a junkyard for cars).

Option four: Get a crate custom welded at a local machine shop. Again, you will need to be very specific about the length, width and also the height. It is possible that you could find scrap aluminum for the floor and ceiling that this individual would weld onto some bars for you. In this case, you will also want to cover the floor.

Good luck to you - and remember we'd love to get a photo of your dog with or without her pups.

Jo