Pet Supplies help for others

I am becoming very interested in Therapy Dogs.   Check this out. Tomorrow's Post will be a follow up.  http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2010/11/ptsd-therapy-dogs/

Pet Collar Fitting

I am confused about the advice given about fitting pet collars.  The times when a person would measure the neck and they buy that measurement is over.  In the previous way, it was assumed that the manufacturer would add the two inches or so it would take to properly fit the collar. 

Currently, the proper way to fit a collar has become simplified by Pet Stores.  The method is to measure the neck of the pet, and add two inches.  Of course, this may be problematic for very small dogs, and trial and error may be the best bet for small pets.  Adjustable collars make collar fitting easier.  My Maltese, Sofie, is the most comfortable with an adjustable collar.  She does not seem comfortable all day with just one size, and sometimes, toward evening paws at it until I loosen it.

The major exception is for leather collars more than 1 " wide.  The standard for larger leather collars on larger dogs, is the measurement of the collar, plus 4".  It is always best practice to use the measurements given by pet stores, but the above rule seems to be the norm.  Since I don't have the larger dog, anyone with experience with fitting a large collar and/or a large dog, please post here.

Pet Training Collars

As I am gathering information about pet supplies, I have found collars with sharp spikes.  I don't understand the purpose of the sharp pronged collars for training. The spikes seem sharp.  These are the ones NOT on collars.   It seems inhumane to me, but reputable people seem to be using them, and reputable stores seem to be selling them.

As to the spikes on collars, I understand that little non sharpened ones may be cute on small dogs, but I am curious about the large spikes on large leather collars.  My guess would be that they came from an attempt to make the dog look more ferocious, but I am curious as to whether the sharpened spikes would shorten attacks on a dog.  Animals do go for the neck, so might a spiked collar stop that attack?  

Anyone have experience one way or another on these topics?

First Post

Here we go.  My first blog post, but not my last.  Why blog?  Why now?  It would be trite to say, "Why Not?"  But the truth is that I look at my life and find that I have a strong belief that pets make humans better, as humans can make the lives of their pets better, too.  I am also open to new ways of looking at things.  I don't believe that any one person KNOWS for sure the best way of doing things or looking at things.  I have my own thoughts and from my experience my thoughts can provoke agreement or disagreement.  Since this is my first blog, I have doubts that anyone is reading this, but if you are, and if you are an experienced blogger, feel free to give me advice.  This is my last rambling, self serving blog.  The next one will be about pets.