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<p class=MsoNormal>I completely agree with Becky about training with a leash
and a slip collar. I have 6, and they all love to walk. I use a rope
leash with a knot tied in it so that it can’t loosen up and slip off, but
can still hang loose when the dog isn’t pulling. I also think that
prong collars used correctly are just fine. Let us consider the
alternatives:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Normal harness and regular flat collars require considerable
strength for the human to control and correct the dog. When the dog
jerks, you jerk back. Now you have just used 50-100 lbs of yank force on
your basset’s delicate spine and neck. You have just risked hurting
yourself, hurting your dog, and losing control of the situation and potentially
being pulled off your feet or dropping the leash.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Slip leash, choke collar, or pronged collar, properly used,
at the top of the neck by the base of the skull. You can use 5-10 lbs of
force to accomplish the same thing. Less damage to you, and more
importantly, less damage to your dog’s spine which may not show up until
later in life. Your dog is kept at your side by a short leash with just
enough tension that it doesn’t go slack and slide down the neck, your
leash is so short that you can move your hand just a few inches to issue the
correction, but with enough slack that your friend can look around and enjoy
his walk. If you are the alpha, you lead, and they follow. Short
lead gives you more control, and gives you more safety from being tripped and
dragged. Watch Cesar Milan’s leash technique. He is the KING
of mastering the walk.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Another issue with walking is to be fast enough that your
dog is actually getting exercise and not bored out of their mind. A bored
dog is a dog who has time to think of something demonic. If you can’t
walk fast, then walk FAR. If you can’t do that, then get help
walking your dog. Befriend and encourage some neighborhood kid to be your
walk buddy. In time that relationship can really pay off in very
important ways. If they are your friend, you won’t have TP in your
trees on devil’s night, and if your dog ever gets loose, you have someone
who can help you search. Not only that, you can teach stewardship to
another generation even if they aren’t getting it at home.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>FYI, I walk 3 bassets at a time like this, with the most
slack given to the most obedient of the troop. I have never had a flat basset
on a walk. Love the idea of carrying the chair and waiting him out, but
have never had to do that. I do understand that many people use anti-pull
harnesses, and that they also reduce the force needed to control the dog, but
they are expensive and in many cases unnecessary. I also know many who
use a Halti, but I hate those, and so do most uninitiated dogs. I have
had them slip off of dogs while walking them and just had to resort to using
the slip leash method in order to finish the walk. If they work for you, great!
I find them difficult to put on and am insecure about them staying on. A
rope leash from the dollar store will always be my first choice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Condolences
to all those who have lost a beloved friend. It is so sad when they leave us,
but they are returned to the loving Creator who loaned them to us as a
demonstration of His love. My prayers are for your comfort and healing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Gaylene
Opal-Deitering<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>My
passions do not replace my relationship with God, but are instead a reflection
of it!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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