food for the though
article problem with head halters by Susanne Clothier
http://flyingdogpress.com/content/view/54/97/
Some trainers like halters, others don't. Mine prefers to use them temporarily, then teaches people how to wean their dogs off of them. Ideally, it is a tool to be used and then eventually weaned off of, but some people are lazy and use it as a solution to their laziness. But for dogs with legitimate issues, there is no alternative but to use head halters indefinitely.
That being said, for reactive dogs they are a must IMO.
The situations most of us are talking about in this thread have nothing to do with not having a good relationship with our dogs and not having
"a strong, mutually respectful relationship." We're dealing with dogs that are going out of their minds with anxiety. They're not what I"d call 'behavioral issues,' because they're not choosing to misbehave, they can't help their reactions.
Ideally I'd love it if I could wean Toby off of the GL eventually, but I don't think that's in the cards for him. I don't think he'll ever be totally cured of his reactiveness, I'm just going to have to learn to deal with his behavior and continue to desensitize him as much as possible. This may be the same reality for others who have posted in this thread.
And no, head halters may not be for every dog, which is true of most training techniques and equipment. People just need to try what works for them and their dogs. Toby happens to respond REALLY well to the GL, which actually calms him down.
Very very gifted and perceptive person.
I am Pinky's (with the Irish Setters) daughter. Susanne and my Mom share a common close friend who does Search and Rescue with her springer spaniels.