GB2565745A

GB2565745A - Improvements in or relating to animal training

Info

Publication number: GB2565745A
Application number: GB1702928.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Holding Gillian
Original assignee: Baldock Top Dogs Ltd
Current assignee: Baldock Top Dogs Ltd
Priority date: 2017-02-23
Filing date: 2017-02-23
Publication date: 2019-02-27
Also published as: GB201702928D0

Abstract

An animal lead comprising an elongate member which is extensible upon the animal pulling away from a human, and a noise-producing device arranged to emit, upon extension of said member, a noise audible by the animal. The elongate member may be flexible and the noise producing device may comprise a hook and loop connection between a plurality folded portions 4 of the lead. Stitch 8, loop 6 and ring 10 may allow the lead to be attached to a collar worn by the animal. Disclosed is a method of training an animal using the lead, such that when the animal pulls on the lead a noise is emitted.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ANIMAL TRAINING

This invention relates to training of animals, for example of dogs, in particular to a lead and a training method.

Various constructions of leads are known for use in the training of animals.

US5,497,733 discloses animal control, training apparatus and method of use. The animal may be a dog, a pet lion, tiger, cheetah or the like. The apparatus is a combination animal choke collar and leash which includes an elongated, oblong rectangular cross-section, continuous strap having a grasping portion on one of its ends, its opposite end being folded upon itself and fastened so as to form a loop which captures a rectangular frame. The grasping portion when drawn through the rectangular frame forms a loop which is used as a choke collar when occupying a second position. A first position is provided when the choke collar is in place around the animal's neck, and the strap is wrapped around upon itself and held secure by a loop and pile fastener such as VELCRO®. This apparatus can be worn by the animal at all times when in its second position or when in its first position. When a person desires control over the animal he simply gives a gentle tug on the grasping portion and the device assumes its second position. Also the device may include a roller around one leg of the frame to reduce friction and abrasion on the strap and a choking member may be included in the form of onehalf of a rubber ball which lies against the windpipe of the animal when the device is in its second position.

Among the objects of the invention of US5,497,733 is to provide a leash and choke collar which does not harm the animal as a choke chain does but still maintains positive control over the animal. Another of its objects is to make a collar and leash combination which co-operates together to provide a minimum amount of noise under conditions such as stalking or hunting.

The present invention is preferably, but not necessarily, directed towards training an animal, for example a dog, without choking.

It is also preferably, but not necessarily, directed towards training an animal, for example a dog, by using the noises of the human voice and of a noise-producing device associated with a lead, such as a flexible elongate member, or a telescopic elongate member, to train the animal towards obedience, particularly against pulling on the lead, so that the training can be without strong positive, i.e. physical control of the animal.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an animal lead comprising an elongate member connectible between the animal and a human walking the animal and extensible upon the animal's pulling away from the human, and a noise-producing device arranged to emit, upon extension of said member, a noise audible by the animal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of training an animal comprising:3 providing between a human and said animal a lead which is extensible and includes a noise-producing device, and upon extension of the lead owing to the animal's pulling away from the human to a substantially predetermined degree, said device emits a noise audible by said animal.

In order that the invention may be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a dog lead in an unextended condition;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the lead in that condition;

io Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the lead in an extended condition; and

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the lead in the latter condition.

Referring to the drawings, the lead 2, in the unextended condition shown in

Figures 1 and 2, may be 90cm. long with a 17.0cm. long folded section 4. The lead is of oblong rectangular cross-section. When it is in the extended condition show in Figures 3 and 4, it is 127cm. long. The folded section 4 is in the form of a double, i.e. S-bend and is the only double bend in the lead.

The lead 2 can be made of common dog lead material, but is preferably of soft webbing to minimise abrasion on the human's hand.

The lead 2 has a handle loop 6 where the material is folded over and stitched at 8 to create the loop 6. Within the loop 6 is a ring 10 whereby the lead can be hung upon a hook when not in use.

At a location intermediate the ends of the lead is a short length 12 of hook VELCRO® stitched onto the lead

Spaced a short distance from the length 12 at the same face of the rectangular cross-section lead and in the direction away from the ring 10 is a short length 14 of loop VELCRO® stitched onto the lead.

io Opposite to the length 14 and thus on the opposite face of the lead is a short length 16 of loop VELCRO® stitched onto the lead.

Spaced short distances from the length 16 at the same face of the lead and in the direction away from the ring 10 are two very short (in the lead direction) pieces 18 and 20 of hook VELCRO® stitched onto the lead. We have found that having the connection 16, 18, 20 weaker than the connection 12, 14, i.e. easier to pull apart between the dog and the human, gives a two-stage extension, the first with relatively lesser noise in two short sharp rippings and the second in relatively greater noise in one long ripping. This can have the advantage that a dog may react favourably, i.e. cease pulling once is has heard the lesser noise.

At the further end of the lead, the clasp end, it has a loop 22, the lead material being folded over and stitched down to create the loop 22. Within the loop 22 is a rotary clasp 24.

The clasp 24 can be clipped onto the ring 10; this is useful when the lead 2 is not attached to a dog collar, within which expression is included a harness or a muzzle, and can be wrapped around a human body as a place to keep it.

In use of the lead, the handle loop 6 receives the human's hand through it to hold the lead, whilst the clasp is attached to a ring on the dog's collar.

The lead is then folded so that the length 12 and the length 14 grip each other and also folded again so that the pieces 18 and 20 hook into the length 16.

In order to train the dog, the human walks along with the dog beside him; when the dog pulls away from him, the VELCRO® material 12 to 20 pulls apart with a ripping sound. When this happens the human needs to:

(a) Stop and turn to face in the opposite direction, upon hearing the sound.

(b) When the dog gets to the end of the lead it has to stop (because the human has stopped); the human calls the dog back to him encouragingly and praises the dog when it returns to him.

(c) The lead is then folded up as already described and the human starts walking again.

The human keeps repeating the steps (a) to (c); very soon, when the dog hears the sound of the VELCRO® material coming apart, the dog will either come straight back to the human or not bother to pull away; when this happens, the human praises the dog for walking by his side.

Claims

1. An animal lead comprising an elongate member connectible between the animal and a human walking the animal and extensible upon the animal's pulling away from the human, and a noise-producing device arranged to emit, upon extension of said member, a noise audible by the animal.

2. A lead according to Claim 1, wherein said elongate member is flexible and said device comprises a connection between a plurality of substantially parallel, side-by-side portions of said member.

3. A lead according to Claim 2, wherein said device includes a second connection between a second plurality of substantially parallel, side-by-side portions of said member.

4. A lead according to Claim 3, wherein said second connection is weaker than the first-mentioned connection.

5. A lead according to Claim 4, wherein said second connection comprises a plurality of joints spaced apart in the lead direction.

6. A lead according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the or each connection is constituted by a hook-and-loop connection.

7. A lead according to any preceding Claim and including a first end portion attachable to and detachable from a collar which is worn by said animal.

8. A lead according to Claim 7 and including an opposite end portion in the form of a handle graspable by said human.

9. A lead according to any preceding Claim and including soft webbing.

10. A lead substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the

5 accompanying drawings.

11. A method of training an animal, comprising:- providing between a human and said animal a lead which is extensible and includes a noise-producing device, and, upon extension ofthe lead owing to the animal's pulling away from the human to a substantially io predetermined degree, said device emits a noise audible by said animal.

12. A method according to Claim 11, wherein, upon extension of the lead owing to the animal's pulling away from the human to a substantially predetermined degree, said device emits said noise and, upon further pulling, a greater noise.

15

13. A method according to Claim 11 or 12, said providing including attaching a first end portion of said lead detachably to a collar of said animal.

14. A method according to Claim 13, said providing including said human's grasping a handle at an opposite end portion of said lead.

15. A method according to any one of Claims 11 to 14, wherein, upon said device emitting such noise, the human stops, calls the animal towards the human and then, when the animal has responded appropriately, the human resumes walking.

5 16. An animal training method, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.