Oh the enormous and constantly expanding world of collars and leads! There is so much out there so I'm not surprised you're overwhelmed!
A simple puppy collar and lead will be absolutely fine to begin with. Please don't buy anything else in preparation as the chances are, although a friend might swear by it, it will not be appropriate for your own dog.
My trainer recommended slip leads (she also trains gun dogs). Slip leads are great for slipping on and off and they have a little leather 'stopper' so that you can prevent the lead from over tightening. Tightened firmly in the right place under the jaw bone and behind the ears so that it does not strangle your dog (using the stopper to keep the lead tight) they are brilliant for teaching walking to heal. However, I personally did not like them at all as Rufus' coat kept getting caught in it and matting. Not sure I really liked the technique anyway.
Take a month or two to find out what your puppy is like - you've plenty of time. Honest.
I have a neoprene collar for Rufus as he loves going in the water - other collars take a long time to dry out. I'm about to try a Halti training lead as it has been recommended on this site for its multi purpose-ness-ness! eg walking two dogs at once with it.
I also have a Canny Collar (a bit like a Halti head collar) which I use just for road walking as Rufus is a terrible puller. Note to self .....must do some more training!
If you find you have a particular problem eg pulling on the lead, then post on this site and people can let you know what they use and why.
Good luck! How exciting for you at the moment!
Karen and Rufus xx
A simple puppy collar and lead will be absolutely fine to begin with. Please don't buy anything else in preparation as the chances are, although a friend might swear by it, it will not be appropriate for your own dog.
My trainer recommended slip leads (she also trains gun dogs). Slip leads are great for slipping on and off and they have a little leather 'stopper' so that you can prevent the lead from over tightening. Tightened firmly in the right place under the jaw bone and behind the ears so that it does not strangle your dog (using the stopper to keep the lead tight) they are brilliant for teaching walking to heal. However, I personally did not like them at all as Rufus' coat kept getting caught in it and matting. Not sure I really liked the technique anyway.
Take a month or two to find out what your puppy is like - you've plenty of time. Honest.
I have a neoprene collar for Rufus as he loves going in the water - other collars take a long time to dry out. I'm about to try a Halti training lead as it has been recommended on this site for its multi purpose-ness-ness! eg walking two dogs at once with it.
I also have a Canny Collar (a bit like a Halti head collar) which I use just for road walking as Rufus is a terrible puller. Note to self .....must do some more training!
If you find you have a particular problem eg pulling on the lead, then post on this site and people can let you know what they use and why.
Good luck! How exciting for you at the moment!
Karen and Rufus xx
