Friends Of The Dog NZ

22/01/2025

Collar vs Harness: What's Best for Your Furry Friend?

Choosing the right walking gear can be challenging with all the options available. Are you wondering whether a collar or harness is better for your dog? The answer depends on several factors, including your dog's size, breed and walking style.

Collars:
- Despite their convenience, collars come with risks, particularly for dogs that pull or lunge. This strain on the neck can lead to tracheal collapse in small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers or Pomeranians, while larger dogs may experience thyroid damage or cervical spine issues over time.
- Best suited for light walks with dogs who do not pull on the leash.
- Come in a variety of styles, from flat collars to martingale options, depending on your needs.

Harnesses:
- Ideal for larger breeds, puppies or any dog that pulls hard.
- Distribute pressure evenly, reducing choking risk.
- Provide better control and support.
- Require proper fit to prevent chafing or restricted movement.
- Come in different designs: back-clip, front-clip or even dual-clip, offering varying levels of control.

To summarise, collars and harnesses differ in fit and distribution of pressure across your dog’s body. Collars fit snugly around the neck, while harnesses distribute pressure across the chest and shoulders. Your dog's breed, health, behaviour, comfort and safety should guide you when making your decision. Many pet parents switch between a collar and harness, depending on the activity, which offers the best of both worlds.

21/01/2025

🐾♥️

16/01/2025

15/01/2025

Hello fellow friends of the dog! Happy New Year 😊 If you'd like to read my article, "Why Does My Dog Chase His Tail?" under the column heading "Tips 4 Tails" (pg. 23) in the latest issue of InFlow Magazine, please go to: https://inflowmagazine.gumroad.com/l/Issue12
- Scroll down to ‘name a fair price’
- Enter ‘0’ in the ‘name a fair price’ field if you want to download it for free
- Click ‘I want this’ and follow the prompts... Happy reading! 🐾♥️

09/01/2025

31/12/2024

Happy New Year! May 2025 be a prosperous and successful year filled with abundant blessings from above... What are some of your new years resolutions?

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Remember the reason for this season and have a joyous and special time with human and furry loved ones xoxo

19/12/2024

Dogs often come pre-programmed with certain behaviours thanks to their breed's genetic predispositions. It's like having a phone with pre-installed apps—you can’t delete them, but you can manage how they’re used. If you’re considering a dog, think carefully about what their breed was originally bred to do, because those instincts will influence their behaviour, no matter how much training you do.

For example:
🐕 Herding breeds (like Border Collies or Australian Shepherds) are wired to chase, nip, and control moving things—whether it’s sheep, seagulls, children or the neighbour’s bike. If you don’t want to manage this behaviour, steer clear of herding breeds.

🐶 Terriers (like Jack Russells or Dachshunds) are professional diggers and demolition experts. They were bred to hunt pests underground, so don’t be surprised if they turn your garden or sofa into Swiss cheese.

🐕 Guarding breeds (like German Shepherds, Mastiffs and Rottweilers) are naturally protective and vigilant. They’re brilliant at keeping you safe, but might view every delivery driver as a potential threat.

🐶 Sight Hounds, i.e. Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, etc. are sprinters and hunters, hardwired to chase anything that moves. They might suddenly zoom off mid-walk if they see a rabbit in the distance... and good luck keeping up!

Choosing a dog breed is like picking a teammate—you’ve got to match their strengths and quirks with your lifestyle. So, if you want a relaxed, low-maintenance companion, don’t pick a high-energy working breed and expect them to be content as a couch potato. Instead, research breeds that align with what you want in a dog and what you can realistically provide.

17/12/2024

🎅🌲🌟

15/12/2024

Why Parents Don't Parent and Dog Owners Seem Irresponsible

A thought-provoking topic! There are various reasons why some parents may not parent effectively and dog owners might seem irresponsible. Here are some possible explanations:

Parenting Challenges
1. Lack of parenting skills: Inadequate parenting education, training or experience can contribute to ineffective parenting.
2. Mental health and stress: Mental health conditions, stress or anxiety can impair a parent's ability to respond to their child's needs.
3. Trauma and adverse childhood experiences: Unaddressed trauma or adverse childhood experiences can influence a parent's behaviour and parenting style.
4. Societal and cultural pressures: Societal expectations, cultural norms or peer pressure can lead to parenting decisions that might seem ineffective or neglectful.
5. Poverty and economic stress: Financial struggles can significantly impact a parent's ability to provide for their child's physical and emotional needs.

Irresponsible Dog Ownership
1. Lack of education and training: Inadequate knowledge about dog behaviour, training and care can lead to irresponsible ownership.
2. Insufficient resources: Limited financial resources, time or space can make it challenging for dog owners to provide proper care and attention.
3. Complacency or lack of motivation: Some dog owners might lack the motivation or initiative to provide proper care, training or attention to their dogs.
4. Prioritizing convenience over responsibility: Some dog owners might prioritize convenience or their own interests over their responsibilities as a pet owner.
5. Cultural or societal attitudes: In some cultures or societies, ideas around or attitudes towards animal welfare or pet ownership might contribute to irresponsible dog ownership.

Common Factors
1. Lack of empathy or understanding: Both ineffective parenting and irresponsible dog ownership can stem from a lack of empathy or understanding for the needs and feelings of children or animals.
2. Prioritizing short-term gains: In both cases, prioritizing short-term gains or convenience over long-term responsibilities can contribute to negative outcomes.
3. Inadequate support systems: Both parents and dog owners might benefit from stronger support systems, including education, resources and community networks.

By recognizing these factors, we can work towards creating a more supportive and educated community that promotes responsible parenting and pet ownership. It's essential to recognize that parenting and dog guardianship is a complex and multifaceted task. People may face various challenges that can impact their ability to respond effectively. Rather than judging or criticizing, it's crucial to offer support, understanding and resources to help parents and dog owners navigate these challenges.

15/12/2024

Discuss. How do you feel about raw hides?