Podenco Health & Training - Keeping Your Podenco Safe and Secure!
Safe & secure podencos in martingale collars and anti-escape harness’s, both on lead as they are not known for their recall!
At Hope for Podencos, our mission doesn’t end once a dog finds their forever home, keeping them safe is just as important. Over the years, we have learned, sometimes the hard way, what works best for podencos when it comes to equipment and safety.
Essential Equipment
Podencos are clever, agile dogs, and often far more determined and crafty than their humans expect. That is why we have honed our advice over many years and are confident in recommending tried and tested solutions to keep them secure.
Martingale Collar
Podencos have delicate, narrow necks and slim heads, which means traditional collars can slip off easily. A martingale collar is designed to tighten gently if your dog pulls without choking, ensuring they stay safe and comfortable.
We are incredibly grateful to Elaine at Hound Heart Collars, one of our adopters, who donates a martingale collar to every single Hope for Podencos dog. She also offers a wide range of designs for those who want to purchase extras, including fleece-lined options perfect for sensitive podenco necks.
Safety tips for martingale collars:
Podencos should never be left unattended in a martingale collar, as it can tighten if caught on something.
ID tags should be attached to the metal hardware connecting the main part of the collar to the loop with the D-ring, not on the D-ring itself to prevent them getting caught and tightening the collar.
Podenco in a martingale collar
Anti-Escape Harness
A 3-strap (or anti-escape) harness is absolutely vital for podencos. Their narrow bellies mean standard harnesses can be slipped out of easily. The extra belly strap on an anti-escape harness sits behind the ribcage, preventing them from backing out. Harnesses are also fantastic for helping to secure dogs in the car.
We recommend Indi-Dog, who have created a bespoke Hope for Podencos harness in our charity colours. For every three of these harnesses sold, we receive one free to help our dogs.
Reasons we love these harnesses:
Mega adjustable, fits any podenco body type.
Fleece padded on the chest and under the armpits for comfort.
Handle on the back for extra control.
Both front and back clips for versatility.
This anti-escape design has proven time and again to be secure and comfortable for our podencos. Almost every strap is adjustable, allowing for a perfect fit. If you need help choosing the right size, please reach out, we are happy to advise.
Podenco in an anti-escape harness
Why We Recommend These Pieces of Equipment
With so many harness and collar designs on the market, it can be tempting to try others. But through years of experience, we have found that nothing else keeps a podenco as safe and secure. The below video shows you how quickly sighthounds can back out of standard collars or harnesses, often faster than you would expect.
Podenco escaping un-safe harness and collar - sourced from Facebook Loli Cantero
Fitting a martingale collar and anti-escape harnesses
Even the best equipment only works if fitted correctly.
Martingales should allow just a couple of fingers between the collar and the neck and should sit around the middle of the neck, not too high or too low.
For harnesses, the Y-front should not rub over the shoulder bones and should sit slightly higher. The first strap should sit comfortably behind the armpits. Straps should be snug but not digging in. Correct fit ensures comfort and maximises escape prevention.
This video shows you how to fit both but if you are unsure, reach out to us, we can help.
Two Points of Contact with a Safety Lead
We recommend walking your podenco with two points of contact, ideally one lead clipped to the collar and another to the harness. This reduces the risk of accidental escapes if a clip fails or if equipment is not perfectly fitted.
Elaine at Hound Heart Collars has designed a dual-clip safety lead, available in two lengths. It has one handle for you with two clips on a slider at the end, so it can be attached to both the harness and collar for maximum security.
Podenco in a dual clip safety lead
Leads: Why Not Retractable?
We do not recommend retractable leads for podencos. Reasons:
They can break under pressure.
They offer little control in emergencies.
The thin cord can injure dog or human.
A podenco running at full speed can jolt their neck or back if the line suddenly stops.
Instead, we suggest long training lines, like lunge lines. These give your podenco freedom to explore safely when used correctly. Always attach a long line to a harness, never a collar.
Tip: Fabric long lines are lighter and work well in summer. In wet or cold weather, consider biothane lines, which do not absorb water and are easy to clean.
Podenco on Biothane long training line
Tracking for Peace of Mind
Even with the best equipment, accidents can happen. That is why we have partnered with Tractive to offer adopters a free GPS tracker device (you just pay the subscription). The tracker allows you to see your podenco’s real-time location directly from your phone, which provides invaluable peace of mind.
Other tracking options exist, but make sure you research coverage and reliability before choosing.
Podenco wearing a Tractive GPS tracker
If Your Podenco Escapes
If your podenco ever slips free, contact us immediately rather than relying on friends, family, or social media. We work with a skilled canine capture team experienced in safely recovering podencos.
Do not chase your podenco, as this will likely make them run further. Quick communication with us gives them the best chance of a safe return.
Final Thoughts
Every piece of advice we share has been shaped by years of experience and a deep understanding of podenco behaviour. With the right equipment, including martingale collars, anti-escape harnesses, dual-clip safety leads, and trackers, you can give your podenco an incredible new life while keeping them safe and secure.
If you would like guidance on fitting or choosing the right equipment, please reach out. We are always here to support you and your podenco on this wonderful journey.
Mit viel Liebe! Das HFP-Team xxx
Artikel verfasst von Gemma Eley
Wenn Sie einen Podenco adoptieren möchten, können Sie unsere verfügbaren Hunde sehen hier!