Dog leash in one hand, flashlight in the other...

[Malamute]

Headlamps are great, I also carry a decent Surefire. If you use them much, keep a spare light handy or batteries. I've had mine die at inopportune moments.

Dogs pulling. Many seem to think that's just a given. Its not, its a training issue (which means a people/owner issue, not a dog issue), and if youre concerned about a threat, one should seriously consider training their dog so they wont do that. The pinch collars are good, as are electronic training collars. This is a serious issue. Many have mentioned it, but it doesn't appear anyone has said "Yeah, I really should do something about the dog, it totally unacceptable that it acts like that and could be a danger". Its not rocket science.

 

[SleazyRider]

… Dogs pulling. Many seem to think that's just a given. Its not, its a training issue (which means a people/owner issue, not a dog issue), and if youre concerned about a threat, one should seriously consider training their dog so they wont do that. The pinch collars are good, as are electronic training collars. This is a serious issue. Many have mentioned it, but it doesn't appear anyone has said "Yeah, I really should do something about the dog, it totally unacceptable that it acts like that and could be a danger". Its not rocket science.

Very, very true. In fact, dog training even extends to home defense scenarios, when I want my dog to alert me---but not go nuts---if an intruder comes to call. For most dog owners their pets are like family, and I wouldn't want my gentle little springer spaniel to take on an intruder. The dog must---and usually can---be trained to heel on command and keep quiet. The police---or in a worse-case scenario, my 12-gauge---will do the rest.

 

[JustinJ]

I have no trouble holding a flashlight and leash in the same hand. If the dog pulls such would of course be difficult. If so, read up on techniques to correct said behavior or employ a knowledgeable dog trainer.

 

[Trent]

Training dogs is a very good point.

When I take my wolfhound for a walk, I go without turning on the headlamp, even if it's pitch black. Trust my dog to stay on the road; he can see what I don't. He's my eyes.

On the occasions he stops and I bump in to him, I can feel him tense up. Usually it's light enough to see which way he's looking. I look that direction and flip on the headlamp.

Every time it's been deer, raccoon, coyote, etc 50+ yards off - can tell the reflection of the eyes and distance from the ground. He stands still and watches that direction as I illuminate it. Eventually the critter scampers on, he relaxes, and we continue the walk.

My husky/??? mix... that's a different story altogether. I don't walk him at night. I've got the worst of the pulling out of him after several years, but if he catches scent of something, good grief. Rip your damn arm off. He was a rescue pup, had ran wild for an unknown period of time. Still half feral. He's hunted for food to survive, and beyond belly rubs, running down a squirrel or rabbit is his "most favoritest thing in the world"

Very intelligent animal but as soon as we go outside his primitive brain kicks in and he goes deaf. It took 3 years just to get him to sit, reliably, on command while on the leash.

 

[ClangClang]

Much of this discussion is rendered obsolete with the advent of LED headlamps. Folks here are talking about hanging a flashlight from a necklace, looping hands through dog leashes and holding a flashlight (hoping that they'll still be able to control their dog), etc.

Just get a dang headlamp. They're fantastic.

My favorite headlamps are by Black Diamond. They have several models under $50 that will get you a 70-100 lumen light that will last for 12-15 hours of use on "high" and 50+ hours on a low-medium setting, which is almost always adequate. I have about 7-8 lying around the house. I keep 1-2 in my car and then one in every backpack I own. I should add a post-script. I'm a dedicated rock and ice climber and live in the mountains of CO. I'm routinely out in the early morning or nighttime hours hundreds of feet off the ground.

Here is a great headlamp at a nice discount. It is also rechargeable via USB so you don't waste your $ on batteries.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/bl...~7442g/?filterString=s~revolt/&colorFamily=02

Additionally, Sierra Trading Post routinely has LARGE coupons available.... 20%-40% off. A bit of Google work will find a coupon in moments.

 

[ClangClang]

If anyone needs a coupon code for SierraTradingPost as above, I have one (good for 3 total uses) that I don't need. Please post if you use it so people don't try a dead code.

It is good for 25% off 1 item, 30% off 2 items, or 35% off 3 or more items.

Code: JVZ29423

 

[PBR Streetgang]

I have two shep/lab mix that go about 70 lbs each....they both heel on my left side. As a former K9 handler you should spend the time to train your dogs for minimal basic obedience.
Trent,,,I had friends who owned 4 Irish wolfhounds all at the same time,,,they were super prey driven and you NEVER ran in their back yard!!!! As far as lighting I carry a Fenix HL-30 headlamp,a O-light Warrior flashlight ,and my PVS-14 on a lanyard around my neck in the dark areas I walk my pups...Yes ,I'm a flashlight junkie!! LOL.......with that, I usually have a S&W 442 or Ruger SR-22 pistol When I get a chance ,I'll post some pics of K9 leads some of you might find useful.........

 

[Trent]

PBR -

That is no joke. If a kid starts running he WILL tackle them. At his size, it's damn dangerous. Every kid that comes over gets the same lecture. DO NOT RUN WHILE HE IS OUTSIDE.

Irish Wolfhounds are hyper-protective of their "family." My neighbor and I were having a conversation at "across the street distances" one day while I had mine out (end of his driveway, end of mine.)

I started walking away and he yelled "Oh yeah forgot to mention".

With my back turned, and the other guy advancing and yelling, my Marley dog went from "alert" to "attack" mode. I caught him rush out of the corner of my eye and BARELY had time to yell STOP before he was on my neighbor. He obeyed; but I think my neighbor had to change his drawers after that.

He's dead-stopped friends before; the dog watches me, and if I'm not paying attention (gardening, whatever), and someone approaches, he'll intercept and hold them off with a growl that shakes the ground. Even if he KNOWS the person.

If someone is in the house (non family) and none of us are around, he will flat out pin them in one spot (by growling) until we return. (HVAC guy found that out the hard way....)

Very VERY protective animals. Great around kids - YOUR kids - but probably wouldn't do as well in a more social setting (city).

Even cars that drive by are "aggressors" to him. He firmly believes that the road is OURS, out front, and will either chase down or flat out stop vehicles as they drive by. (He stopped a little old ladies SUV the other day.)

I've tried to train some of that out of him, but it's tough. When the reactions are instinct driven and not "rational" (by human standards), there's not much you can do!

As far as loyalty goes, there are none more loyal than a wolfhound. He's never more than 3' away from me at any time when we are inside, and never more than 20 yards away from me while we are outside. (When I do the 'crap/shower/shave' bit, he's right outside the bathroom door. When I'm working in the kitchen, he's in the kitchen. When I'm kicked back in the recliner he lays UNDER the foot rest... Etc. It's kind of obnoxious.)