Do dogs understand the significance of the different types of collars that we put on them?

I would venture to say most definitely yes!  Anyone who has ever done much obedience work will tell you that as well.  When you put a choke chain on a dog, he knows that he must heal by your side.  A flat collar is used for field work, and electronic collars are most definitely recognized by dogs, whether they are used for obedience training or as a bark collar Dogs respond differently when they are wearing them.  That is also why trainers use what is called a "dummy collar" to make the dog think they have one on as a reminder.   This is also why in AKC Performance Events dogs are only allowed to wear a flat collar and one other.  This could be a flash collar or a tracking collar.  Why is this discussion relevant?

I just watched a show on the crazy things dogs eat and the health consequences.  One dog ate two plastic hot dog toys that hardened in his stomach only to be discovered 3 months later when he started vomiting.  The usual things like fishing hooks were not a surprise.  The dog that started licking up the grease from the grill that had been dumped on the garden rocks was a surprise.  His stomach was totally filled with rocks!  Not good as you can imagine.  Another dog found a cow's tongue filled with corn, laced with pins and wrapped in brown paper with a green and red ribbon.  Where else would he find such a thing, but in central park in NYC?!  The vet fed him bread and canned dog food then injected him with a drug to make him vomit.  It worked!  He spit up 35 pins, along with his food and the tongue.  Apparently it was some kind of voodoo curse that was meant to get the "cursee" to not talk as much.  Strange at best.  The most interesting one was the lab who ate gorrilla glue.  Once they opened him up, they found a cell phone charger as well.  Lucky for him he ate the glue; it encased the cell phone charger and prevented the wires from puncturing his stomach.  The last dog, a rottweiler ate his master's engagement ring.  Does this sound like a sitcom?  Of course, she had a fun time playing hide and go seek on that one.  4 days later she found it and I think you can imagine how!  On a personal note, I have had puppy owners tell me that their dogs have eaten whole diapers, rubber toys, silicone packets from new shoe boxes just to name a few.  Luckily, I have never had to surgically remove any item from my dogs, but I know plenty of my fellow dog lovers who have.  So what do all of these crazy things tell us about our dogs?  Well I can think of a couple.  Number one is that dogs are curious and mischevious.  They get into anything and need supervision just like kids.  When you are not at home, a crate is a safe place for your canine buddy to stay out of trouble.  And lastly when in doubt, check it out.  All of these owners took their dogs to the vet fairly promptly and that is most likely what saved their lives. 

I recently discovered the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, and think it is a pretty good way to help ensure the proper care and development of your new puppy.  I believe all puppies should go through obedience training, but this program takes that a bit further.  It is also a prelude to the Canine Good Citizen Program that I have previously discussed and recommend.  I have copied a small amount of information from the AKC website for you to take a look at.  You can also go to www.akc.org for more detailed information.  Check with your dog trainer to see if they participate in the AKC STAR Puppy Program.  You can also sort by state on the akc website for trainers in your area.

LEPTOSPIROSIS IS AN INFECTION THAT DOGS CAN GET FROM THE ENVIRONMENT.  THEY CONTRACT IT FROM INFECTED RATS, WILDLIFE AS WELL AS DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK.  THE LEPTOSPIRA LIVES IN THE URINE OF THE INFECTED ANIMAL AND IS SHED WHEN THEY VOID.   I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE ON LEPTO AND ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR, RON HINES, DVM, PHD, IT USUALLY OCCURS AFTER HEAVY RAINFALLS.  SINCE I LIVE IN NEW JERSEY AND WE HAVE HAD AN EXTREMELY WET END OF SUMMER AND EARLY FALL, THANKS TO HURRICANE IRENE AND THE MOST RECENT TROPICAL STORM,  IT SEEMS THAT LEPTO MIGHT BE A RISK FOR MY DOGS.  I USUALLY VACCINATE FOR LEPTO AT 12 WEEKS ANYWAY, WHICH IS WHAT DR. HINES RECCOMMENDS, BUT I WAS NOT AWARE THAT IT SHOULD BE DONE AS A SINGLE VACCINATION.  THE NAME OF THE VACCINE IS LEPTOVAX 4 BY FT. DODGE.  I AM INCLUDING THE LINK FOR DR. HINES ARTICLE FOR YOU TO LOOK AT.  NOT A BAD IDEA TO TALK TO YOUR VET ABOUT THIS.  THE WEATHER DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S GOING TO DRY OUT ANY TIME SOON!  I KNOW MY DOGS ARE GOING STIR CRAZY.....      http://www.2ndchance.info/leptospirosis.htm

PS. SORRY I HAVE BEEN MIA.  IT WAS A BUSY YEAR WITH THREATENED LAYOFFS, A NEW JOB AND ALOT OF STRESS!  WE THEN MADE A CHANGE IN THE SERVER FOR THEBARKLINE, AND  IT TOOK ME AWHILE TO GET EVERYTHING STRAIGHTENED OUT, BUT I SHOULD BE BACK ONLINE NOW.  I WILL DO MY BEST TO KEEP UP!