Adult Corgi Gear

[MyPemCharlie]

Charlie is 5 1/2 months now and is on the verge of outgrowing his "puppy gear". I'd like to know what people are using on a few items before I purchase "adult gear".

1) Collar and Leash - Charlie is currently using a 3/8" flat collar and 3/8" leash, which seem a little now that we're walking everyday. We're working on walking loose on leash and the thin little leash hurts my hand when he tries to pull ahead. I'm trying to decide if 1/2" or 5/8" would be best. Most trainers require a 6 foot lead for classwork.

What is you dog's collar width? Leather or nylon? Do you use several types of leads? If so, what particular uses do you find for each type.

2) Crate/Kennel - I took my large plastic 24" long cat carrier out to pick Charlie up from the breeder, and that has been his bed at night. He can still stand up, lie down and turn around ok. However, we all know how Corgi's like to lie on their back or stomach with their feet fully extended behind them, and Charlie is too long to fully stretch out. I'd like to get a crate or kennel which will work the rest of his life, (not buy and "intermediate" and have to purchase another larger one later).

What type of kennel are you using and dimensions? If you take a yard stick or tape measure, how long is your dog when he/she is "fully extended" (feet out back) from "nose to toes"?

3) Car restraint - I've been moving Charlie's kennel to the car and seat-belting it through the crate handle when we go on road adventures. It's kind of a pain to move from the bedroom to the car and back again. A larger kennel is certainly going to be even more work. I've wondered about harnesses and if they strap the dog in securely somehow. I may also just end up with a second kennel to leave in the car permanently.

Do you transport you dog in a kennel or use some sort of harness device? For harness users, does a standard harness strap in the seat belt, or do you need a special "car harness"?

That's all I can think of right now for gear. If you have some other dog gear you find particularly helpful, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks in advance for your input!

[Louwants]

Well, as far as transporting in a car, I did buy a seat belt harnass for Duncan when he was young, but I don't use it anymore. I could never get the thing on him without a battle and he could still just about get into the front seat with it on. He hates car rides, so we don't go on them much. He whines the whole time, has since I picked him up. I probably reinforced the whining, me holding him and petting him on the way home. I only had plans to check him out, not on getting him. (I tried to do the first observe and check out other pups). But, as soon as I saw him, he had to come home. I had been wanting a corgi again for so long, and my husband said he wish he had a camera to take my picture when I first saw him. He said he has never seen my face and eyes light up so much! I still remember how excited I was also when I saw him. Just like a kid who got that special present at Christmas.

[Freppan]

I didn't know that there were car harnesses for them, I will have to pick one of those up if I ever get my little baby.

I'm also curious about what type of material is best for a leash. So I will definitely stick around this topic.

Also, Lou, that story was really cute.

[Louwants]

Thanks Freppan. I'm sure when you finally get your corgi, you will light up also.

My first words was "Look! His ears are already up at 8 weeks!" He is a handful, and I tell him that's why he was the last one left...he was rotten! He's a big boy, bigger than most, and his weight is a problem keeping it down. Especially, since if I don't watch him like a hawk, he scarfs down Chloe's food and then goes to his. Chloe is a nibbler/hider. She'll take a mouthful and "bury" it in the carpet or under rugs. Ducan comes along and gobbles it down as quick as she hides it.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Charlie is 5 1/2 months now and is on the verge of outgrowing his "puppy gear". I'd like to know what people are using on a few items before I purchase "adult gear".

1) Collar and Leash - Charlie is currently using a 3/8" flat collar and 3/8" leash, which seem a little now that we're walking everyday. We're working on walking loose on leash and the thin little leash hurts my hand when he tries to pull ahead. I'm trying to decide if 1/2" or 5/8" would be best. Most trainers require a 6 foot lead for classwork.

My guys wear either rolled leather collars or nylon limited slip collars (or soft slip collars White Pine Outfitters - Soft Web Collars ).

What is you dog's collar width?

I belive the nylon ones are about 9/16".

Do you use several types of leads? If so, what particular uses do you find for each type.

Yes:

Nylon 6': used for walking when the dogs can have some room to walk in front of me.

Flexi: used for potty breaks when traveling or at dogs shows (away from the show ring area). I personally do not like flexi's for going for walks. I want more control of my dog than this gives me.

thin leather lead about 4': used for showing or for walking at shows.

thin nylon leads about 4': used for showing only

leather braded leash about 2 1/2 - 3': used for obedience training. (Nope, I don't use 6 foot leashes for training.)

50' long line: used for long distance obedience training, advanced classes and lessons (for long distance recalls, proofing stays, etc. NEVER used for walking or heeling)

2) Crate/Kennel - I took my large plastic 24" long cat carrier out to pick Charlie up from the breeder, and that has been his bed at night. He can still stand up, lie down and turn around ok. However, we all know how Corgi's like to lie on their back or stomach with their feet fully extended behind them, and Charlie is too long to fully stretch out. I'd like to get a crate or kennel which will work the rest of his life, (not buy and "intermediate" and have to purchase another larger one later).

Most of my guys sleep in the "medium" or 200 sized vari kennels. And this is what they travel in too. A few who are longer have the "intermediate" or 300 sized crates.

3) Car restraint - I've been moving Charlie's kennel to the car and seat-belting it through the crate handle when we go on road adventures. It's kind of a pain to move from the bedroom to the car and back again. A larger kennel is certainly going to be even more work.

I have extra crates that I use for traveling. That way we don't have to move them around.

I may also just end up with a second kennel to leave in the car permanently.

Yup, that's the idea. If only taking one dog the crate is on the floor of the van. If taking three or four dogs the crates are staced and we use bungee cords to secure them to each other. This has worked for many years with many dogs and different sized crates. (And different breeds too.)

Crates are the safest for traveling. If you are in an accident the dog can be taken out of the car and transported to the vet or shelter without the police having to handle a frightened and possibly injured dog. If crated the dog cannot "protect" you if you need medical attention. Chances are if they have to chose between saving your life and fighting with your dog to do it your dog would loose. (Meaing they'd shoot him.) And in a crate they can open the car door or if the door springs open the dog is not let loose to run free and get hit or get lost.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

I don't think it is very important what material your Corgi's collar and leash is made of. It is probably nicer and better to have a collar and leash that is attractive and colour co-ordinated, yet not long lasting or expensive so that you can quite frequently replace them. Also that way, you won't get 'sick' of them either.

[MyPemCharlie]

Originally Posted by Peggy

My guys wear either rolled leather collars or nylon limited slip collars (or soft slip collars White Pine Outfitters - Soft Web Collars ).

Thank you for the link. I haven't seen anything like the soft-slip in stores here. That looks like it might be a better training collar than Charlie's flat collar.

Originally Posted by Peggy

Nylon 6': used for walking when the dogs can have some room to walk in front of me.

Flexi: used for potty breaks when traveling or at dogs shows (away from the show ring area). I personally do not like flexi's for going for walks. I want more control of my dog than this gives me.

thin leather lead about 4': used for showing or for walking at shows.

thin nylon leads about 4': used for showing only

leather braded leash about 2 1/2 - 3': used for obedience training. (Nope, I don't use 6 foot leashes for training.)

50' long line: used for long distance obedience training, advanced classes and lessons (for long distance recalls, proofing stays, etc. NEVER used for walking or heeling)

I've been thinking about a shorter lead for walking. I've ended up tieing slip-knots in his 5 ft lead, so it ends up being about 2 1/2 feet. I also want to make a long line when I remember to buy a clip. I'm not sure why, but almost all the trainers here require a flat buckle collar and a 6 ft lead...beats me!

Originally Posted by Peggy

Most of my guys sleep in the "medium" or 200 sized vari kennels. And this is what they travel in too. A few who are longer have the "intermediate" or 300 sized crates. I have extra crates that I use for traveling. That way we don't have to move them around.

Maybe I'll look at the 300. That would be 8 inches longer than his current kennel. I'd rather give him a little extra room, than have him a little cramped. In the 300, are your dogs able to completely stretch out?

Originally Posted by Peggy

Crates are the safest for traveling. If you are in an accident the dog can be taken out of the car and transported to the vet or shelter without the police having to handle a frightened and possibly injured dog. If crated the dog cannot "protect" you if you need medical attention. Chances are if they have to chose between saving your life and fighting with your dog to do it your dog would loose. (Meaing they'd shoot him.) And in a crate they can open the car door or if the door springs open the dog is not let loose to run free and get hit or get lost.

Peggy

You have a lot of good points about safety. I remember 20 or more years ago when everyone just threw their dogs in the car to "flop" around everywhere! Actually, I still see that quite a bit. I definitely don't want Charlie flying through the air into the windshield if I have to make a sudden emergency stop...or got into a wreck!

Thanks Peggy! As usual, lots of good information.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Thank you for the link. I haven't seen anything like the soft-slip in stores here. That looks like it might be a better training collar than Charlie's flat collar.

I really like them. They can be used as everyday collars or as a training collar or both.

I've been thinking about a shorter lead for walking. I've ended up tieing slip-knots in his 5 ft lead, so it ends up being about 2 1/2 feet. I also want to make a long line when I remember to buy a clip. I'm not sure why, but almost all the trainers here require a flat buckle collar and a 6 ft lead...beats me!

Well, my first obedience leash was a 6 foot one. I quickly learned I didn't need one that long. So got a shorter one. I really like the short one for training. You are rarely working very far from your dog esp. in the beginning so you don't really need such a long leash. IMO, anyway. (And the trainers I've worked with anyway.)

Maybe I'll look at the 300. That would be 8 inches longer than his current kennel. I'd rather give him a little extra room, than have him a little cramped. In the 300, are your dogs able to completely stretch out?

Yup, they can. Altough they often sleep crosswise in the back.

you have a lot of good points about safety. I remember 20 or more years ago when everyone just threw their dogs in the car to "flop" around everywhere! Actually, I still see that quite a bit. I definitely don't want Charlie flying through the air into the windshield if I have to make a sudden emergency stop...or got into a wreck!

Having been in a couple of close calls, one where we ended up in a ditch. The dogs were in crates, bungee'd together. (we had at least 4 with us, 2 whippets and 2 corgis) The crates never moved. The dogs, like us, were a bit shaken up, but no one was hurt.

Thanks Peggy! As usual, lots of good information.

Glad to help.

Peggy

[v3rs3]

They make crates that have a moveable wall so you can change the dimensions as they get older. That's what we have for our Corgi's.

[Freppan]

Can anyone tell me more about the car harness things? How much do they cost?