Lupine Guarantee Information
My dog ate her leash! I thought Lupine was chew-proof.
We wish it was! Our stuff is Guaranteed (even if chewed)®, not guaranteed-not-to-be-chewed. Nylon webbing is extremely strong, but, like all fabrics, its chew resistance is quite low. Our Gurantee means we'll replace any damaged Lupine product returned to us including those items damaged by chewing. Some retailers offer in-store replacement, too. Our Returns Department is pretty fast, though. Replacements go out First Class Mail, usually the next business day after your damaged piece is received.
What's covered by the Guarantee?
It's probably easier to say what we don't cover! Lost or out grown items or stuff that's simply dirty, all fall outside the scope of our Guarantee. If you have a situation where you feel that our product has not performed as it should, send us an email and we'll do our best to fix the problem.
My dog has already chewed his replacement. Can I get another?
All of us have suffered through phases of our dogs' inappropriate chewing habits, so, yes, we'll replace your replacement. We do have some suggestions to help prolong the lifespan of your Lupine products. Harnesses should come off when the walk is over. Leads should not be used to tie the dog (we don't recommend any of our products for tie-out). When properly fitted, a dog should not be able to get its mouth on its own collar. We have had good results with Fooey® (synergylabs.com) taste deterrent. Ask for it by name! There really is a difference.
Lupine Pattern Information
Who carries your solid colors?
Lupine products don't come in solid colors. There are some terrific solid-color manufacturers out there, we're just not one of them.
Why don't you have any Christmas (Halloween, St.Patrick's' Day, 4th of July, etc.) patterns?
While we support the concept of a multi-collar 'wardrobe', patterns with a very specific focus tend to have limited sales. We aim for broader 'themes' with year-round popularity.
Lupine Product Information
My dog goes on a tie-out. Should I use a collar or a harness?
We say: neither. We don't recommend any Lupine product for tie-out. An animal tied to a fixed object can put tremendous force to the hardware (and it's own body), far more than when it is hand walked on a lead. With harnesses and leads, a pet can chew through the webbing in a matter of moments, and then be free to roam. A pet on a tie-out is also at increased risk of entanglement (hanging) or attack by at-large animals.
How do I pick the right size collar for my dog?
Picking the right width and size range for your dog depends on the dog's age, neck size and, to some extent, the size of the dog. 1/2" products are appropriate for pets up to 20 pounds or so.
A 1/2" collar for a new puppy is a great way to introduce the concept of wearing a collar. It's lightweight and will give you a way to quickly attach a lead for those frequent trips outside during house-training. Early on in life, the dog has to be taught about being on a lead, and what it means. The 1/2" leads are going to keep the pup' connected' to you, but not be so heavy as to be annoying.
There are many full-grown larger dogs (like Labs and Retrievers) that wear a 3/4" width collar at maturity. It's important to remember that with the rapid growth rate of all young dogs, what fits in the beginning will almost certainly be outgrown before it wears out, much like kids' clothes! Buying with room-to-grow is OK to a point, but a collar set to it's smallest size has the most webbing doubled back and becomes somewhat bulky.
To determine collar size, use a dressmakers tape to measure around the middle of the neck. Measure snugly, against the skin, not how you'd like it to fit. Whatever that measurement is, add in 5% extra for wiggle-room. This gives you a good approximation of the current size of the dog.
Should I get an Adjustable collar or a Combo collar?
For small dogs (1/2" patterns) we only offer Adjustable collars. We make two types of collars in 3/4" and 1" patterns: adjustable collars (aka 'flat' collars), and Combo collars (aka 'martingales' , 'limited slip chokers' or 'half-check collars'). They do different things.
The Adjustable collar is the best all-around collar. The dog can wear it all the time, although many dog pros recommend removing any collar when the dog is crated.
The Combo collar is designed specifically to prevent a dog from 'backing out' of its collar. It has a 'martingale' loop of webbing. When tension is applied via the lead, the martingale reduces the size of the collar. It's not an infinite amount of closure, as with a choke chain, but enough to prevent the dog from slipping out. The Combo collar should not be left on when the dog is off-leash or unsupervised. Wearing a Combo collar off-lead increases the potential for getting caught on some object, or even another dog's jaw.
To determine what size of Combo collar to use, measure around the widest aspect of the head and jaw, as well as the mid-point of the neck. Take whichever measurement is larger, and add in an additional 5% to ensure a comfortable fit.
My dog pulls like a train! Should I try a harness?
A harness does one thing really well. It will reduce pressure on the dog's throat and neck. It doesn't stop a dog from pulling, it just makes it more comfortable for him to do so. It may actually cause a dog to pull harder!
My dog can wear a 12"-20" Harness. Should I get a 1/2" wide or a 3/4" wide Roman/Adjustable Harness?
We use a body-weight of about 20 lbs. as the maximum size for 1/2" products. While 1/2" is light and easy to carry around, it does focus pressure on a smaller area. For this reason, some small dogs will find 3/4" wide products to be more comfortable.
Is Lupine colorfast?
All our patterns are made using threads which are dyed prior to weaving. Bleeding is very uncommon, but could happen, especially in response to whitening shampoos, flea products, and other topical products. We do suggest that a wet collar be removed from the dog, for the health of the skin. Would you wear wet shoes, given a choice?
How do I wash my collars?
Machine-washing our products is fine. Some people use a mesh bag (to save wear-and-tear on the inside of the tub), others just put them in with jeans and similar sturdy clothes. The key points are warm, not hot water; mild soap, no bleach; and air dry only - don't put them in the dryer or the nylon may get all shriveled! For extreme situations, pre-soaking in an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution may be helpful. If bad dog-smell is an ongoing problem, consult your vet. It may indicate a health issue or the need for a change in diet.
Where is Lupine made?
All assembling and sewing is done at our facility in Conway, NH. The components (hardware, thread, webbing, etc.) are from a mix of domestic and international sources.
