by Poodled | Feb 7, 2020 | Health
When it comes time to start training your Poodle, good poodle training harnesses will make all the difference. All Poodles have an athletic and energetic personality and so training them when out and about is made difficult if you can’t get control of them properly. Here we are looking at the best training harnesses for Poodles as well as the benefits of having one.
Training a Poodle
Training a Poodle usually starts at home. Quite often, teaching a dog basic commands like ‘sit and ‘lie down’ is the first step. Then its time to try them out in public. Although they may obey the commands at home, it doesn’t mean that they will automatically do the same when outside of the house. The reason being, that there are a lot more distractions outside than there are inside so it will take a lot more control on the dog’s part.
Why Use a Harness For Training?
As we now know, training a Poodle, or any dog for that matter is a lot more difficult outside. Once you leave the house, there are a number of things that contribute to the difficulty of training a Poodle. For one, there is a lot more noise pollution making it more challenging for your dog to concentrate on what you are asking of them. There is also a range of smells, the pure thrill of going for a walk, and sometimes the numerous other dogs that are nearby.
All of these things can cause a Poodle to become excited and start pulling on the lead. Having a dog that tugs on the other end of the lead is never fun, and so it’s best to try and stop this as soon as possible. Standard collars end up choking the dog once they start pulling or when you try and get control, which isn’t a very nice solution. But a harness makes light work of getting back in control as it pulls the dog back from their chest rather than their neck. Much more humane for both you, and the Poodle.
The Benefits Of Using a Training Harness
There are several benefits of using a training harness for your Poodle, some of which are as follows.
- Fewer Tangles
Some dogs get that excited when they go for a walk that they jump around and run around you in circles. With a standard collar, this again results in choking as well as a tangled lead (sometimes wrapped around you). With a harness, this is much harder, and so you won’t have to spend much time detangling your dog.
- Easy Control
A harness provides the owner with a lot of control, even for very large dogs like Royal Poodles. Because it is secured around their torso, if the dog pulls, it is easy for the owner to keep them where they are instead of getting dragged along with the dog. When encountering another dog, a harness will help you prevent your dog from jumping up at the other dog much easier than a standard collar and leash.
- Secure
Because a leash is attached to a harness on the back, a dog can’t actually reach it themselves. This prevents a dog from chewing through the leash or wriggling out of their collar.
- Fewer Injuries
Since a harness isn’t wrapped around the neck like a collar is, it causes fewer injuries to the dog.
- Easy Traveling
Nowadays, there are relatively strict rules in place for traveling with a dog in the car. They have to be secured just like their humans. Doggy seatbelts are widely available, but most of them are designed to attach to a harness.
Should You Use a Harness for a Miniature or Toy Poodle?
Quite a lot of the time, people assume that harnesses are only beneficial for large or medium-sized dogs. But that isn’t really the case. While it’s true that harnesses are great for controlling large and medium dogs, they are also ideal for smaller dogs as well. If you have a small dog, then you will be well aware of the fact that they can get over-excited when its time to go for a walk and this usually ends up in them pulling on the lead.
A standard leash ends up choking the dog when they start pulling, and often this isn’t enough for them to stop. A harness will pull a dog back from their front, making it a much nicer option to stay in control when walking. Smaller dogs are also more prone to injuring their trachea or neck due to the pulling of a leash attached to a collar. A harness will prevent this from happening.
How To Choose Good Poodle Training Harnesses?
No matter what size dog you have, the quality of the harness will still be relevant. You want to ensure that it is comfortable for both you and your dog, so here are some things to consider.
- V-Neck Harness
The best type of harness for a dog will be one that doesn’t cause direct pressure on the center of the chest. Instead, it should go around the top of the front legs as this won’t cause any injury to the dog. V-neck is a term that describes the fact that the harness avoids the center of the chest.
- Robust
Since Poodles are highly active dogs, you will want to ensure that the harness you choose is made from durable materials. Product reviews should also help to inform you of how well the harness wears.
- Comfortable
The comfort of a harness is extremely important. If it is uncomfortable in any way, then it could ruin the walk for your Poodle and potentially cause irritation to the skin. Proper harnesses will include some form of padding, especially on the underside where it touches the skin.
- Weather Proof
Dogs are a commitment and if they aren’t bothered by the weather, then neither should you. Poodles love to go for a swim every now and then so it’s important that the harness can withstand being wet. On the other hand, it also needs to be suitable in hot weather. Inferior quality materials can disintegrate in the sun.
- Adjustable
Poodles, as you know, are renowned for their iconic coats. Some owners like to change the hairstyle of their Poodle depending on the season. If their hair is kept long, then the harness becomes tighter. Alternatively, if they are shaved, the harness becomes looser. For this reason, its ideal to get a harness that can be easily adjustable to cater for weight change and coat thickness.
Getting Your Poodle Used To a Harness
The first few times that you put a harness on your Poodle, it might feel slightly strange for them. However, there are several ways in which you can get your Poodle used to it. During the first few times of use, don’t be surprised if your Poodle tries to wriggle out of it.
This is an entirely normal reaction for all dogs. Over time they will realize that getting the harness out generally means going for a walk and they will likely get excited just by looking at it. When you first receive your harness, try taking it out of the packaging and leaving it on the ground. Your pup will sniff it and try and sus it out.
To get them used to wearing the harness, one tip would be to put it on them for 30 minutes or so while they are wandering around the house. Eventually, they will ignore it and wearing it for a short amount of time won’t bother them. When you do put the harness on your dog, make sure you give them affection and maybe even a treat. By doing this, your Poodle will understand that the harness is a positive thing and won’t become anxious.
After that, continue at a slow pace. You could first, walk them around the garden in it if you have one. Then go on a short walk with them until the harness becomes a normal part of everyday life for them.
Best Poodle Training Harnesses
There are countless harnesses on the market. All with different specifications and qualities. Below is our top training harness picks for Poodles.
A very affordable and extremely comfortable harness is that of PetSafe EasySport Dog Harness. The neckline on this particular harness is elasticized and along with the generous amount of padding ensures comfort.
To secure the harness, there are two snap buckles, and the top handle makes it easy to control. More benefits include,
- Fully adjustable
- Complete padding
- Made from durable nylon material
- Top handle for quick control
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Another excellent training harness for Standard or Royal Poodles is the Mighty Paw Padded Sports Dog Harness. It has a dual-clip feature which is unique in harnesses and enables the user to attach the leash to the front or back. While front attachment gives the owner control and reduces pulling, the rear attachment is primarily for running with your dog or for car restraints. Item specifications are as follows,
- Weather-resistant material
- Dual-clip feature promoting attachment to the front or rear
- Non-restrictive design
- Enables natural shoulder movement
- All straps are adjustable
- Padded top handle for control
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Many Poodle owners decide to train their dog as a therapy dog. This means that the Poodle, along with their owner, will spend some time at care homes and hospitals. The idea is that people who are lonely or sick will get great joy out of spending some time with a specially trained dog.
Therapy dogs help to reduce stress, depression, anxiousness, and much more. So they have a positive impact on people both physically and emotionally. Training a Poodle to become a therapy dog is normally done with the owner present so that they can learn how to prepare them at home as well as how to handle them.
When your out and about putting these lessons into practice, you need for people to be aware of the situation. And what better way of doing so than with the Doggie Stylz Therapy Dog In Training Harness. Being supportive and comfortable this harness will help to get the message out there while providing you with complete control. Additional features are,
- Made with breathable neoprene and durable nylon, being comfortable and sturdy
- Removable side patches
- Reflective chest strap
- Top handle and D-rings for attachment
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If you are searching for a harness for a miniature Poodle, then the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness could be what you are looking for. Despite their small size, miniature Poodles do have a lot of strength and can still pull quite a bit when going for walks.
This harness is ideal for both walking and traveling. It has five different adjustable sections meaning that no matter how unique in size, this harness can be customized. Key benefits include,
- A crash-tested harness (up to 75lbs)
- Perfect for traveling and walking
- Has a 10” doggy seat belt loop and a carabiner
- Full-size customization due to the five adjustment points
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For Toy Poodles, Best Pet Supplies Voyager All Season Mesh Dog Harness is a great option. A harness is a much better solution to pulling as it reduces the risk of neck and throat injuries. This harness is designed specifically to distribute weight around the body rather than putting pressure on one area.
Using a harness for a Toy Poodle can use up a lot of room on the body so its essential that the material won’t overheat your pooch while out and about. The Best Pet Supplies Voyager Dog Harness is made from breathable mesh material so that your pooch can stay cool all year round. More features include,
- Sturdy metal D-rings for secure fastening
- Weather durable material
- Evenly distributed weight control
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Conclusion
With so many dogs harnesses out there, you truly are spoilt for choice. Hopefully, this article has helped to establish why using a harness is good. On top of that, you should now have a good idea of the type of harness that you need and the things that you should look out for.
Selecting the best poodle training harnesses becomes very easy when you know your dog and its specific needs.
by Poodled | Aug 16, 2019 | Health, Health, Poodles
Fleas are not something any pet owner wants to deal with. It can take weeks or even months to clear a home of these pesky parasites. Most vets or pet stores will recommend a chemical flea treatment, but there are other options as well.
The poodle has an ultra-delicate skin surface that is prone to infection. It may not be in your poodle’s best interest to stick with over the counter flea prevention or infestation treatments. Dry skin on a poodle is very uncomfortable for the dog and can quickly become more debilitating conditions like skin cracking, which makes your poodle vulnerable to infection.
It is not only crucial to protect your poodle’s skin; it is also important properly treat a flea infestation to restore your poodle’s skin to health. Luckily, there are several great options for handling flea infestations that will not harm your poodle’s skin.
Top Flea Treatments for Poodles
This organic flea treatment formula is designed to kill fleas and ticks while deterring mosquitos. This natural treatment is paraben and sulfate-free to save your pup from exposure to harsh chemicals. This all-natural shampoo is safe for use around pets and children to keep your family itch-free! The formula includes essential Cedarwood Oil for coat and skin conditioning.
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You can count on Clinical Care Shampoo to control ticks and fleas on contact. This vet-approved formula gently cleanses and exfoliates your poodle’s coat and skin. It contains .15% pyrethrins derived from flowers to control fleas on contact. The added lanolin and aloe soothe your poodle’s skin irritation that arises from flea bites.
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The TropiClean natural blend kills fleas at contact with all-natural pest-fighting ingredients like cinnamon, lemongrass, and cedarwood essential oils. TropiClean Maximum Strength also has cocoa to soothe your pup’s irritated skin. It also kills ticks, flea eggs, larvae, and mosquitos on contact.
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Natural Chemistry uses only safe ingredients to kill fleas (no pesticides). The unique formula attacks the waxy exoskeleton of fleas, essentially drying them out until dead —and parasites can’t become resistant to the natural ingredients. That means the shampoo is always effective. Natural Chemistry is safe and non-toxic, ideal for dogs and puppies of any breed (over 12 weeks old).
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Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are powerless against Only Natural Pet EasyDefense. The Only Natural harnesses the power of natural Peppermint and Geranium plant extracts, keeping this unique shampoo completely free of toxins and pesticides. The veterinarian-approved botanicals produce an imperceptible barrier around your dog. The pleasant scent repels pests.
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This all-natural herbal flea shampoo contains a unique combination of Rosemary, Thyme, Cedarwood, and Geranium to repel fleas. This formula is safe for all ages of dogs, including puppies. The gentle ingredients are perfect for a poodle’s super sensitive skin and leave the coat soft and smooth.
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This Total Protection Kit defends your dog and home from natures parasites. The kit goes beyond a flea shampoo or spray. The kit has one 8 oz. bottle of flea killing shampoo, one 6.3 oz. can of flea spray, and one 0.6 oz. spot-on flea treatment. This kit provides multiple layers of flea defense by ridding your dog of fleas and flea eggs on contact.
The formula even repels mosquitoes! Every product in the kit is absolutely free of chemical pyrethrins and permethrins, so the whole family, including the fur babies, will be safe. The kit products use certified essential oils like clove extract and peppermint to kill fleas while leaving your poodle smelling fresh. This product is made in the USA with certified, natural essential oils.
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This all homeopathic, organic, and natural ingredient flea treatment formula is a fantastic option for the sensitive-skinned poodle. Made from premium-quality ingredients, RX 4 Pets features colloidal oatmeal to help soothe dry, itchy skin resulting from flea bites, hot spots, or dermatitis. There are no chemicals present to damage your pet’s skin further. The formula contains vital nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, to nourish and enrich your poodle’s coat and skin. The formula is also designed to prevent any hair loss.
RX 4 Pets contains botanical and herbal extracts for powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which fight skin irritations and diseases. There are no sulfates or parabens to decrease irritation and limit side effects. This product is proudly made in the USA and keeps your pet healthy with great smelling skin and coat.
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Proudly made in the USA, American Pet Botanicals presents a fully organic and herbal powder to fight fleas on your poodle. The formula is made with Certified Organic Neem, Organic Yarrow, and Diatomaceous Earth. This natural combination attacks the exoskeleton of fleas, draining them of vital moisture. Not only can you use the powder on your pet, but you can also sprinkle it on furniture, bedding, and carpet to manage any flea infestations in your home.
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Fleas and other parasites will think twice before approaching your poodle after taking this flea prevention product. The formula is free of chemicals and offers a safe way to protect your poodle. Agatha’s natural remedy, when combined with an all-natural yard and home preventions, will keep your home and pet free from pests.
One scoop of this all-natural flea fighting powder in your poodle’s food will make your dog naturally repellent to pests as well as treating current infestations. The formula includes safe, natural ingredients including organic coral calcium, garlic, sea kelp, brewer’s yeast, food-grade diatomaceous earth, and nucleotides that naturally repel fleas.
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Conclusion
To give your poodle the best treatment for fleas, choose a treatment or shampoo that is gentle on the skin but tough on pests. Organic and herbal treatments will always be the best option for the poodle.
