Check cord update!

For those who wish to not use amazon, Home Depot carries all the necessary supplies for around the same price as amazon.   Just remember to check weight ratings.  I'm not sure the meaning between working load and 'instantaneous load'  (a snap) vs constant weight. but I try to make sure the 'rated load' is more than the dogs weight by some pounds (which might be over design).  

Just wanted to share that tidbit of info.

Also,  I've got some updates planned.  Home made treats will be a big section I cover, I'll describe how I made woofles (dog waffles) for Harper for his 2nd birthday and also home made yogurt treats for dogs.  

That's all for now!

-Chris

Home Brew'd Check Cord

What's a check cord?   I found its a more official name for a long lead.   Dog supplies often have many names and aren't all that standardized.   So I was looking for a long leash to work on my pups recall I was finding a lot of different options.  A lot of the options via amazon were flat cotton web leashes that went for $10 bucks.   I have a 20ft one, and it's kind of stiff, heavy, and well... just kind of dull.

So, when I started refining my query to find something bright, durable, and light I found out about these check cords.  I guess these are used a lot in training gun dogs (which is why they come in orange or camo)....  These can run any where from $15 to $30 bucks depending on length, material, and brand.    I thought it was cool, but one of the retail products looked like it could very easily be home brewed.  It was just rope with a trigger snap and a bowline knot.  I can make that!  so I did see above.

So after finding a brass snap with a 90lb weight rating (Harper is 60lbs) so I wanted some margin... and the robe is rated to 500+lbs, but gets derated with knots... but I believe the 90lbs on the trigger is still the limiting factor.

Field Testing with Harper! :

My 2 year old rescue pup helped field test the check cord

Harper approves of the check cord.

A great tool to work on recall with.  You still have complete control of the dog and able to corrected and call.  I practiced down stays and come when called with Harper and he loved it!  

Some clips of Harper showing off his come when called skills. 

Come when called 1

Come when called 2

So the bottom line,  this is a very easy and cheap homebrew.  The only thing I have learned is to investigate the weight of the clip for hte end of the rope.  Harper being a big dog he can handle the weight of the brass clip I got, but for a smaller dog, I'd go with a smaller clip so there wasn't as much pressure on the neck from the 'drag'.