K9 Freedom Line

30/09/2024

Even I was surprised how bad this is...
I used some cheap/standard screws I had lying around from when I started researching materials 5 or so years ago (nickel plated but on top of steel not nickel/zinc so will 100% rust if regularly getting wet/heavy duty use).
Just to add a reflective strip I also had lying around to Ted's nose strap on his headcollar.
Stainless are used everywhere else.

I am replacing it to be wider and even more comfortable so started taking it apart.
It's not been used a lot.
If they don't get wet and on a small dog maybe but this is why I use stainless steel or brass plated stainless steel screws on lines/leads. At over 50p each not 1p each..

How many people check 'can you tell what metal your screws are made of'? And how many high-volume factory sellers would respond..
and don't get me started on hammer/press set rivets.🤫

15/09/2024

Desperate times when you have to cuddle up with an orthotic insole and old walking socks 😂
How on earth he's managed that.
*grump face because I woke him up unintentionally!

12/08/2024

Proving the mass of care and time that goes into all this is worth it and really helping dogs (& their people!).
(scribbles are only to cover names and non-relative feedback for 'none K9' items)
Beware of inferior items that are very (VERY) widely available. I have several people trying to copy (badly) my designs 😞
This is why I created all this- I just couldn't trust things where there was no information about strength/fittings/materials...

15/06/2024

Every day I see this. I go over the other side of the road and watch them like a hawk but most drivers don't. Have some common sense for the safety of everyone involved! Makes my stomach coil up when I see it.

𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗜 𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗔 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗥

The dog was being walked on a pavement next to a road....

On a retractable lead

The dog suddenly leapt into the road

Luckily due to my lightning reflexes ⚡ I swerved my car just in time

Thankfully there was no other vehicles coming towards me in the opposite direction. Thankfully as I was able to swerve rather than suddenly brake I avoided the possibility of the car behind colliding with mine

There could have been 1 dead dog, a devastated owner, a traumatized me (and other driver) and two damaged cars. All because someone chose to use a retractable lead next to a road

I'm shaken

The owner got angry with his dog and gave it a big tug with the lead and shouted. I understand the frustration, especially when a dog that usually keeps to the pavement suddenly does the unexpected, but the dog didn't deserve a telling off because the dog was just being a dog

This could have been avoided by clipping the dog onto a short lead

Now I'm not against retractable leads unlike most dog professionals. I do actually think they a few specific and appropriate uses. But we must put safety first and consider others around us

A retractable lead is not the right lead choice while walking along the pavement. If you use the extension of the lead in an open area then you need to carry the retractable lead with you, and attach your dog onto a short lead while you walk to that destination.

PLEASE if you use a retractable lead, you need to do a quick risk assessment. Is the environment an appropriate place to use this lead? What could go wrong? If you are near a road then the answer is no and you could be risking your dog's life

There are people that will be reading this that will think it won't happen to them and that I am being dramatic. Surely nobody thinks it'll happen to their dog? Nobody attaches their dog to a retractable lead, walks near a road and expects their dog to jump into oncoming traffic

I actually know two dogs that lost their lives by being hit by cars due to inappropriate use of a retractable lead. Those people didn't think it would happen to them either.

The truth is this can happen to any dog. Dogs are unpredictable, even he most 'obedient' and well trained dog. The dog I nearly hit today was simply SNIFFING something interesting in the road

No dog is a robot

Dogs get startled

Dogs instincts take over

Don't risk it. Not only is it not fair on your dog to put them at risk like this, it is not fair for road users

20/04/2024

04/04/2024

Just something I always think of that gives me so much happiness and rationale in difficult and stressful times.
When we're out walking that's our time.
Take time out with your dogs xx

27/03/2024

26/03/2024

I know I will have missed a fair few but I'm trying to have a catch up!
Thank you to everyone for your photos/& feedback! 👣♥️🐾

10/03/2024

So I'm giving myself the same look as Ted is giving me and catching up on some 'to dos' . . .
Which definitely includes adding photos of some recent work 👣❤🐾

05/03/2024

One day I pray this is the norm

This can't be said enough!

03/02/2024

I just thought I would share my opinion on these 'locking' clips that are becoming more & more popular...
They look amazing and ultra secure...
The break weight given is over 400kg however the little pins and swivel area can be weakened over time and the bar that opens come off completely.
I still prefer to have 2 standard clips as the extra security (if needed). 2 totally separate attachments.
Any clip can fail/come undone (including mine in a complete fluke), with my 'back-up' double clip design you have a totally separate and full back-up if 1 clip fails/opens.

Just noting that these leads are stiff 'Biothane' and held with thin hammer rivets which can easily be pulled apart and will scratch/rust over time. Widely used as they cost about 1p each compared to about 70p each for the stainless screws I use. So completely pointless having a 400kg locking clip when the rivets can be pulled apart by hand..

These clips would be impossible for me in winter. I have Raynauds and have to wear 2 pairs of gloves. One heated pair which are v difficult to remove. I would not be able to screw & unscrew these with my gloves on which is all the time for at least 4-5 months of the year.

I also think of emergency situations... if you need to get the lead/line off quickly you can't...
I had a total fluke/one-off example this week; Ted's tennis ball rolled down a steep bank and under some barbed wire. He went after it in a flash of course 🙄. On the way out his jacket got caught; he panicked and his (very secure!) harness and coat were pulled over his head. I had to quickly release his harness clip. Thankfully, as I always use my 'Combi' design, we were still attached on his headcollar. Not that he was going anywhere as he could still see his ball, now waiting for me to go get it as he was scared now! (Er, nope, not this time! 😂) If this had been one of these locking clips & me with 2 pairs of gloves on it would have taken some time to release him.

Just my opinion and justification for sticking with traditional clips 🙂Obviously situations are infinite & it's personal choice 😊

Blooper photo just because he can be a complete (but lovable) wally! 😂

02/02/2024

I really need to be better at social media!

These kept me busy over Xmas for one of my lovely trainer customers who also sells on to her clients 👌

As there's only so many photos of leads and lines you can look at I will add funny or poignant photos/videos too... only about 5000 to get through 😂

I ended up looking through the album of my Cypriot rescue Diego. Thrown over the rescue centre fence completely emaciated.
He passed in 2017 but he got his love and family ❤
He was such a helpful dog ❤😂😳

23/01/2024

This sweetheart has been in kennels a long time if anyone knows anyone or could offer a Dobe a forever home.

07/01/2024

Add p**p, p*e, sick... 😂 and many other things!
And still exactly the same 👌