Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 25, 2012

10

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

 Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 25, 2012 


A GENTLE LEASH ON LIFE

 

As a dog-walker and pet sitter, I have had many clients 
ask me which is the best type of collar or lead to use for 
walking their dog. Well, to be completely honest I am 
hesitant to respond to that question with full confidence 
until I get to know their dog on a personal level. 

There are so many dog walking and training collar & lead 
products on the market these days, each with their own 
specified (even patented) technique and philosophy, that 
it can be somewhat confusing and rather overwhelming 
to select the proper product for your pet. With so many 
types of collars available today, there are equally numerous 
types of dogs, at various developmental levels of human 
bonding and obedience. If you take a little time and effort 
to choose the right tools, you are bound to find a match in 
the mix eventually. 

I do not claim to be an expert on the subject, however I 
do know that each dog has it’s own specific needs and it is 
important to use humane handling methods to meet those 
needs, in order to foster positive results and establish a 
trusting relationship with your pet. It is also important to 
research the philosophy behind a dog handling product 
before putting it to use. Having read several articles and 
doing a little research of my own, I came up with a list of 
collar types that would most likely be found at the local 
pet supply store today, in hopes of informing and helping 
you select the proper lead product for your beloved canine 
companion. 

Be aware that this list is just a good start. It does not 
include every single product available in today‘s market, 
and the descriptions are brief, so you will want to research 
each product more specifically in consideration of your 
own dog’s needs before making a final selection.

 Buckle Collars: These are collars that are simply 
fastened with a buckle. They are typically made of nylon 
or leather, and are either flat or rolled. Most buckle collars 
are adjustable, but do not tighten on the dog’s neck once 
fastened. Rolled leather collars, although more expensive, 
tend to fit more comfortably. Adjustable nylon collars are 
recommended for growing pups. For the owner whose 
dog does not pull to the point of choking and gagging and 
who also responds well when learning commands, the 
buckle collar works fine.

 Body Harness: Harnesses were originally designed for 
sled dogs. Pulling is the reaction of about 99% of dogs 
placed on harnesses, so unless the goal is to teach a dog 
to pull, it is worthless as a training tool. I recommend the 
harness as a dog seatbelt. A leash with a solid brass or steel 
clip strapped around the back of the seat and fastened to 
the harness makes a great restraint for a dog that might 
otherwise crash into the windshield upon impact.

 Break-away Collars: A special quick-release collar 
that will unfasten if a strong pull is placed on the collar. 
However, the collar will not unfasten when attached to 
a leash. This collar was designed after the inventor’s dog 
choked to death because its collar got caught on something.

 Choke Chains / Slip Collars: Metal choke chains are 
still being used as a training tool in traditional methods, 
where the dog is corrected by a quick snap of the leash 
if he doesn’t obey a command. Slip collars are similar 
except they are made of soft materials such as nylon or 
cotton. These types of collars should never be left on an 
unattended dog, and always removed when the leash is 
removed.

 Electronic Collars: Often called remote or e-collars by 
advocates, and shock collars by detractors, these devices 
deliver an electrical stimulus causing pain to the dog when 
given a correction. It is my experience, when evaluating 
most dogs who have been trained using shock devices, 
that these collars can destroy a dog’s self confidence. I 
would never use nor do I advocate the use of shock collars 
as an obedience training device. 

 Head Halters: Head Halters are the latest in politically 
correct, morally proper tools that feed into owners desire 
to treat their canine companions humanely. The halter 
is very effective in achieving compliance and obedience 
without excessive restraint, however some feel that the 
dog’s personality is somewhat marginalized by it’s use. 
I personally feel this tool works better than most, in 
controlling a dog’s tendency to pull, without choking. 

 Prong or Pinch Collars: These collars may seem like 
a kind of medieval torture device, but they are actually 
humane when used properly. They should definitely be 
used for training “neck insensitive” dogs only.

 I want to make it clear that this 
article is not meant to advocate the 
use of any particular collar type over 
another. A sincere, caring pet owner 
takes the time to try and understand 
how his or her dogs thinks, learns and 
bonds with human beings and the best 
candidate to determine which product 
works best for their pet is his owner. 
No training equipment can ever 
take the place of a strong, mutually 
respectful relationship between a dog 
and his master. 

Finally, do be gentle in the way that 
you treat your dog and your dog will 
be gentle in how he responds to you, I 
guarantee it.

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc


PET OF THE WEEK: NACHO Animal ID #A4470984 


Meet the very handsome Nacho (A4470984), 
an outstanding model citizen! Nacho is a 
well-rounded four year old tan neutered male 
Chihuahua who was found in West Covina on 
August 3rd and brought to the Baldwin Park 
Animal Care Center. Weighing eleven pounds, 
Nacho is a straight-A dog. He walks well on the 
leash, is extremely affectionate towards humans of 
all ages, loves other dogs and has a medium energy 
level. Kissy and perfectly behaved, Nacho is the 
ideal pet for anybody in any living situation – this 
is a plug and play dog. To watch a video of Nacho 
please visit the following link: www.youtube.com/
watch?v=JfQi2cLqh3o

To meet Nacho in person, please see him at the 
Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, 
Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-430-2378 
or 626-962-3577). He is currently available now. For any inquiries about Nacho, 
please reference his animal ID number: A4470984. The shelter is open seven days a 
week, 12 pm-7 pm Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-Sunday. This is a high-
intake shelter with a great need for adoptions. For more information about Nacho 
or the adoption process, contact United Hope for Animals Volunteer Adoption 
Coordinator Samantha at samanthasayon@gmail.com or 661-309-2674. To learn 
more about United Hope for Animals’ partnership with the Baldwin Park Shelter 
through its Shelter Support Program, as well as the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and 
sizes available for adoption in local shelters, visit http://www.unitedhope4animals.
org/about-us/shelter-support-program/.


SPORTS

One on One with the World’s No. 1 by Kevin McGuire on Special Assignment


While in Illinois meeting with fans at a press 
event, Rhode took time to speak with Mountain 
Views News contributor Kevin McGuire.

McGuire: How old were you when you first 
fired a gun?

Kim Rhode: I really don’t remember. I started 
competing when I was 10. I was something that 
was very traditional in my family. I started with 
club shoots, then skeet shoots and it kept growing 
from there. 

McGuire: Who were your teachers?

Kim Rhode: My mom and dad both. The first 
time I remember shooting, I was sitting on my 
dad’s lap. We were in a lawn chair and he had the 
gun tucked under my arms, I would fire and he 
would take the recoil and I would just shoot that 
way. It was something I remember just falling 
in love with—the moving targets, the fun of the 
outdoors, shooting cans and paper plates—it was 
fun and it just progressed.

McGuire: Where did your first competitions take 
place?

Kim Rhode: Just local gun clubs. Just club shoot. 
Then it grew to state, then world and world 
championship. Now, five Olympics later, it’s just 
amazing how quick time has gone.

McGuire: Tell us about your safaris in Africa

Kim Rhode: I’ve done quite a few of them. It’s something that was 
always a dream of my father’s. I can remember the PH guy (PH 
Safaris) not wanting me to shoot at first. I had to actually prove 
myself and shoot a target out at about 100 yards out. Once I did 
that, I was allowed to shoot. 

McGuire: When did the suggestion come to try for the Olympics?

Kim Rhode: I was 13-years-old, I was at the World Shoot and 
American Skeets and had just won the World Shoot and the Olympic 
coach was there and happened to see me shoot and said, ‘ya know, 
we’re going to make an exception for you. Your mom has to come 
with you, and we are going to invite you back to the Olympic training 
center and introduce you international style of shot and shooting.’ 
From there, I made my teams and started shooting international 
and really never looked back.

McGuire: What was your reaction when you were thinking ‘hey, I 
can go tot the Olympics and do this’? 

Kim Rhode: It was exciting and such an honor for me. I realized 
that it was about representing your country. My parents explained 
to me about all the rings how all different people from all continents 

come and compete. I knew I was going to have chance at it, but I 
didn’t know I would be doing it five Olympics later.

McGuire: What was it like in 1996, at age 16, walking among stars 
like Andre Agassi, Kerri Strug, Carl Lewis and the Dream Team? 

Kim Rhode: It’s hard the beat the first of anything you do, whether 
it’s the first Olympics or first anything. You don’t know what’s 
coming next or what’s going to happen and what to expect and it’s so 
overwhelming. I don’t really think you take it all in and realize what 
you’ve done until you get home. And you’re sitting there and your 
by yourself and you realize, WOW, I really did this! It was amazing!

McGuire: Tell me about “Old Faithful.”

Kim Rhode: I just got it back. It’s the gun I shot in the last four 
Olympics. 

McGuire: It was stolen from your father’s car. 

Kim Rhode: It was heartbreaking. I was devastated, Rhode said. At 
the same time, you have to pick up the pieces, move forward, move 
on and try to make the best of a bad situation. I was very fortunate 
to have a guy that donated a gun to me and believed in my enough. 
It was incredible to have that kind of support and I chose this gun to 
go to London and win this medal with. 

McGuire: Is “Old Faithful” retired now?

Kim Rhode: “Old Faithful” is retired.

McGuire: How does one grasp being the 
record holder among all U.S. athletes? 

Kim Rhode: I don’t think you ever look at 
yourself as the best or the number one in 
anything. Heck, my hat won’t fit if I thought 
like that. The reality is that you just think of 
yourself as everyone else. No different. 

McGuire: How much practice is involved in 
preparing for the next games?

Kim Rhode: There is a lot that goes into 
it. We start about 2 years out from the 
Olympics just qualifying for the team and it’s 
a grueling process, very time consuming. I 
average anywhere from 500 to 1,000 rounds 
a day when I’m in full training and in about 
a week from now we have World Cup finals 
and another competition. 

McGuire: This is a sport where you can 
compete for some time to come.

Kim Rhode: Most definitely. In shooting it’s 
a game that isn’t necessarily about strength 
as it much about endurance, hand/eye 
coordination, muscle memory and experience in the elements. 
Our sport is one we can do for many years. The oldest medalist in 
history was a shooter, Oscar Swahn, he was 72. I think I have a few 
more in me, I’m only 33 and we’ll just go one at a time. Rio 2016 
hopefully…I don’t really see an end in sight.

McGuire: You had a cancer scare awhile back.

Kim Rhode: I’m OK. As OK as you can be. I had a 4.5 centimeter 
lump removed from my right breast. I found it very shortly after it 
was announced that I made the 2012 Olympic team. It’s an ultimate 
high when you’re in the Olympics and an ultimate low when you 
have something like this happen to you. You don’t know what’s 
going to happen over the next coming months. I’ve very thankful 
everything came back as negative. It’s very much an emotional roller 
coaster. I something I hope no other person has to go through. 

McGuire: What’s it like living in Monrovia?

Kim Rhode: One thing I love about Monrovia is its residents…the 
people. Everything is so close. You can go to the market, the movie 
theater and go get some great food at the French restaurant Café 
Massilia. I love the atmosphere of Monrovia. My favorite thing to 
do is…ride around town with my husband in our beach cruisers. 
We ride all the way up the top of the hill. There is beautiful views, 
it’s really fun and it’s a good workout. 

Rhod prior to winning her 5th Gold Medal at the 2012 Olympics