Collar/Leash for puppy

[Tara Daukas]

Any recommendations for what collar/leash to start with? I've read that nylon is better to prevent matting but not sure where to start with a little puppy. We will get our golden doodle mini in a few weeks and she'll be 9 wks old. If anyone had any thoughts I'd welcome them :) This site has been really helpful as I prepare for her arrival! 

Thanks

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

My Ludo is 13 weeks old and I got him this hydrocollar.  I had read that they are really good with preventing mats as well.  One thing to think about though, in my first few days of having him, I took him collar off at night and these collars buckle. Trying to do early morning, half-asleep potty breaks would have been quicker and easier with a collar with the plastic clips.  I leave his collar on all the time now, though, so it doesn't matter.  Size wise, Ludo is a standard (supposed to be about 50 pounds) and was 11 pounds upon arrival.  I got the 12 inch and it was just a tiny bit big on the smallest hole.  I know there are some threads here, already, on collars but I remember some people suggesting Martingale collars.  That might be something to look into as well.  Honestly though, I think you just need SOMETHING.

For a leash, I got a 6 foot leash at PetsMart-- just something basic.  One hint that I got here was to leave his leash on him all the time, either loose or tethered to you.  That way, if she is getting into something, you can just give her a tug or pull her away rather than having to pick her up.  This was a big help.  It also, I think, helped to get Ludo used to the leash... the other puppies at his preschool class are total leash biters and don't seem to know what to do with a leash attached to them.. for Ludo it's just second nature.  

Congratulations on your new puppy.  DK has been such a great resource for me and I am sure it will be for you too!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Love love love the hydro collars- they are the only thing my boys wear!

[Laura and Angus]

If you ask me...it doesn't matter. We went through 5 leashes before Angus was a year old..ha! But seriously, we just got a cheap nylon one in the beginning (4' long). Don't spend a lot of money...they will chew the crap outta the leash as they go through the teething phase and learn to walk well on a leash. That's the best advice I can give you...

[Tara Daukas]

That's funny and probably very true!!! Thanks! 

[Laura and Angus]

Sigh! I think it depends on your dog, but if you have a voracious chewer like we do, nothing lasts for too long in the beginning. We even went through 2 harnesses, and SO Many toys before we decided that he can only have hard plastic toys, kongs, strong/thick rubber, and antlers. Phew! You might not have this problem...every doodle seems to be different about their interest in chewing...

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Laura ~ When Charlie was a puppy, his first leash was a 6 ft Lupine leash.  They are guaranteed for life regardless of whether the puppy chews it or whatever.  I only had to get one replacement for Charlie.  My vet just says to bring in the leash, pick out a new one - she returns the old one to manufacturer.  I prefer their collars also because they do not mat the hair around the neck.  Beau on the other hand, loved to chew on the leash as a puppy and probably off and on until he turned 2.  I bought Beau's Lupine leash when he was 12 weeks old, and he went through 4 of them! When we would go to the vet for shots, she would say I think you need to pick out a new leash, drop the old one off at the counter.  He is now 3 years old and has had this leash for a whole year.  I just recently bought a braided leather leash for him for travel, since he is now past the chewing stage!  I love the braided leather leashes, but I would not recommend them for new puppies.  Lupines are the way to go IMO.  

[Laura and Angus]

Wow! That sounds awesome! So you bought it from your puppy's vet? That's awesome! Although, sounds like you had the same chewing issues we did ;) We finally ended up with a very sturdy, braided rope leash that my mother got our puppy after he ruined his last one on her watch. This new leash is very thick and sturdy and it still looks great after a few months, so I think we're good for a while. Especially since we have finally gotten Angus to a place where he knows not to touch the leash with his mouth...finally :)

[Chris]

I have a leather leash that I have had for over 20 years and three dogs.  Still works great!  Definitely worth spending a little money and getting a good one.

[Laura and Angus]

I'd definitely like to invest in a leather leash, but our monster-chewer would've torn through that leash in a couple weeks. We had a problem with leash pulling/biting/tug-of-war for some time (4 months?), but finally at 15 months have gotten that under control with a massive amount of training. Do you have a specific brand you like?

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Rolled leather collars work well. You can get them at your local store like Petco. Online might be a little cheaper.

[Tara Daukas]

Anyone recommend a harness instead of a collar? I've seen some mini- doods in a product called "voyager". Thanks everyone for your help! 

[Laura and Angus]

We use the Easy Walk harness, which works like a dream - it does not allow pulling. Many people on DK swear by this product. However, we did not start using this until we had done extensive training for loose-leash walking. Our trainer insisted that it was important to use a collar that allows you to correct inappropriate behaviors on walks while reinforcing good behaviors - this was in order to teach the puppy what's expected. Before we started classes, we just used our regular collar (which our puppy still wears all the time). If you're getting a brand new baby, I'd definitely get a collar on them to make sure they get used to having the feeling of the collar (or something) around their neck. It doesn't take them long to get used to anything when they're really young :)