Pete the Vet: Leading the way: collars, leashes and harnesses for dogs and cats

Pete Wedderburn looks at the best ways to control your pets' activities

Pete the Vet: There are different methods of restraining pets, each with their own pros and cons. The classic collar – for dogs and cats – is most commonly used. The most appropriate use for a collar is to carry identification: Indeed, under Irish law, all dogs must wear a collar at all times. A collar must have the name and the address of its owner (usually on an ID tag). If your dog doesn’t have this identification, a dog warden can issue an on-the-spot fine.

Animals roam free in the wild, but when interacting with human society, domesticated animals need to be kept under control. Dogs don’t understand the need to stay on pavements in busy traffic, to keep themselves to themselves when someone is frightened of animals, or to avoid the temptation of jumping on a passing pet belonging to someone else.

There are different methods of restraining pets, each with its own pros and cons.