Re: Leashes... Yes! But use the right one...

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Posted by Joe III on March 25, 1999 at 16:24:40:

In Reply to: Leashes? Yes/No? posted by Juby on March 25, 1999 at 09:50:19:

: I'm a little worried about summer time....My igs have never been outside, and I really wouldn't want to lose them! I've been thinking about building a Screen/2x4 enclosure, but I don't know if I'll be able to do it!!! I was wondering about leashes, in the meantime. I've heard that they can damage thier spikes, and would just like some input from you guys, my trusted informers! If leashes are a bad idea, (for the spike reason) what about altering them by putting a bit of mesh on the top of the leash to let the spikes slide through? Any ideas????

An Iguana can (and will) move with great speed when frightened. If a bird or airplane spooks em and you do not have a leash, you could loose em.
I do not think you should rush out and buy one of those "Liz Leashes" though. They cost too much and I do not like the front leg/shoulder or neck Leashes. I made my own leashes for about a buck. These go around the waist, in front of the hind legs. You can make em as long as you want (most store bought ones are only 6-8 feet long). I just find and old drawstring fastener (like the ones on childrens jackets), Then I go to, lets say, a sporting goods store or any place that sells parachute cord (thin nylon, very strong) and buy how ever many yards of it I desire. Tie a knot or two in the end of the cord. then fold over about six inches of that end. Tread that loped over end through the draw string fastener. you will then have a lop coming out of one end of the fastener. This lop's size can be adjusted to fit you animal's waist. The Knots should be big enough to keep the short end from pulling back trough.
Now, the coman sense stuff. Do not make it too tight! Do not use this leash to yank your Ig around. You should use it only to keep it for getting away from you. If you have a long (15 plus) leash and you animal has taken off on you slowly walk up to the leash. After you have the leash in hand, walk up to your animal as you roll up the leash. You move towards the Ig... Do not pull the Ig to you. YOu should not pull them out of trees ether. If Iggie goes up a tree use the leash to stop his progress, then you go up the tree to get him. The leason here is do not let em climb a tree unless you will have no problem go up after him. If you use this or any other leash to pull your animal around, You will injure him.
Sorry about the tirade. I just do not want to get a million emails saying that someone has damaged there Ig while yanking it out of a tree.
I have some pics online of my Igs... they are wearing the leashes I made.

P.S. this style of leash works great on cyclura because they have a break in the row of spines just at the waist.

Take care all,
Joe III

my Igs.........

Follow Ups:

Re: Leashes... Yes! But use the right one... Joan 3/25/99 (2)
- Re: Leashes... Yes! But use the right one... lesha 3/26/99 (1)
  - Re: Leashes... Yes! But use the right one... Joan 3/26/99 (0)

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: : I'm a little worried about summer time....My igs have never been outside, and I really wouldn't want to lose them! I've been thinking about building a Screen/2x4 enclosure, but I don't know if I'll be able to do it!!! I was wondering about leashes, in the meantime. I've heard that they can damage thier spikes, and would just like some input from you guys, my trusted informers! If leashes are a bad idea, (for the spike reason) what about altering them by putting a bit of mesh on the top of the leash to let the spikes slide through? Any ideas???? : An Iguana can (and will) move with great speed when frightened. If a bird or airplane spooks em and you do not have a leash, you could loose em. : I do not think you should rush out and buy one of those "Liz Leashes" though. They cost too much and I do not like the front leg/shoulder or neck Leashes. I made my own leashes for about a buck. These go around the waist, in front of the hind legs. You can make em as long as you want (most store bought ones are only 6-8 feet long). I just find and old drawstring fastener (like the ones on childrens jackets), Then I go to, lets say, a sporting goods store or any place that sells parachute cord (thin nylon, very strong) and buy how ever many yards of it I desire. Tie a knot or two in the end of the cord. then fold over about six inches of that end. Tread that loped over end through the draw string fastener. you will then have a lop coming out of one end of the fastener. This lop's size can be adjusted to fit you animal's waist. The Knots should be big enough to keep the short end from pulling back trough. : Now, the coman sense stuff. Do not make it too tight! Do not use this leash to yank your Ig around. You should use it only to keep it for getting away from you. If you have a long (15 plus) leash and you animal has taken off on you slowly walk up to the leash. After you have the leash in hand, walk up to your animal as you roll up the leash. You move towards the Ig... Do not pull the Ig to you. YOu should not pull them out of trees ether. If Iggie goes up a tree use the leash to stop his progress, then you go up the tree to get him. The leason here is do not let em climb a tree unless you will have no problem go up after him. If you use this or any other leash to pull your animal around, You will injure him. : Sorry about the tirade. I just do not want to get a million emails saying that someone has damaged there Ig while yanking it out of a tree. : I have some pics online of my Igs... they are wearing the leashes I made. : : P.S. this style of leash works great on cyclura because they have a break in the row of spines just at the waist. : : Take care all, : Joe III

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