Stuff You’ll Never See at Golly Gear (And Why We Don’t Sell It)

We have opinions about dogs. We think they’re wonderful, practically magical beings who make human lives better, happier, and richer (every way except monetarily).

As dog owners, trainers, and pet retailers, we’ve developed equally strong opinions about how dogs should be treated and cared for. There are some pet-supply products you’ll never see at GollyGear.com and this is why.

Retractable Leashes: There is no better tool for teaching your dog to pull on leash. It’s an absolute classic example of “give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.” And they do.

The biggest problem, aside from the inevitable choking and gagging, is that both parties feel secure on either side of that taut umbilical. Which means that neither one is paying attention to what the other is doing.

Which means that Hope almost ran over a dog in the middle of the street at the end of a retractable leash while the owner was texting on the sidewalk. 

Dogs don’t learn to walk politely when you  have a retractable leash. Few owners seem to use the “lock” mechanism to keep their dogs reasonably close. We won’t even talk about the number of injuries, to both people and dogs when that line whips back into the case. 

Best Alternative: The 6-ft. Latigo Leather Leash. Most people think smaller, shorter dogs need a shorter leash. It’s not true! A six foot leash lets them enjoy a good sniff at trees and hydrants, while you stay on the sidewalk

Front-attaching Harnesses: When these were introduced, it seemed like a good idea. We were pretty avid agility competitors then, and it seemed like overnight all the agility dogs were sporting harnesses with leashes attaching in the front.

And then we started hearing the rumors about the shoulder damage these dogs were suffering. It seems that the front-attaching harnesses restrict natural shoulder movement, leading to gait alteration and long-term joint stress. 

These harnesses are useful for preventing pulling while you teach your dog leash manners. But people don’t use them that way. Instead, they believe the problem is “solved” by the harness and don’t bother with training. 

Best Alternative: The Reflective No-Pull harness stops dogs from forging with guidance from the leash rings at the dog’s side. There’s no pressure on the dog’s shoulders and no major impact on their natural movement and gait.

Choke Collars / Prong Collars: Do we even need to explain? Any device designed to inflict pain isn’t going to make it onto our shelves. We’ve heard all the explanations and excuses. 

We find it rather flabbergasting that people are so blase about their use. “I just show him the prong collar and he behaves himself.” 

Dogs aren’t stupid. Didn’t you “behave” when your parents reached for the belt? Or the paddle? 

Best Alternative: Any collar that doesn’t tighten on your dog’s throat. Small dogs are prone to collapsing trachea, so a collar’s primary use is as an I.D. holder. Harnesses are a safer option for small dogs. One of the best everyday walking harnesses is the EZ Wrap, a step-in style that keeps your dog secure without contact with their throat. 

At Golly Gear, we believe the best equipment is the kind that makes life easier for you and safer for your dog. If you have questions about which harness or leash is right for your specific breed, just ask—we’re here to help!