head collars

Thanks for the info! I'll consider ordering it.

I'm not that unhappy with the Gentle Leader though. It would be more convenient to not have to take it off at the park to play ball, but its not that big a deal either.

It is a bit restrictive, but Ginny can open her mouth enough to pant and drink if need be, and she really only wears it when we're walking so she doesn't really need to open her mouth all that often to chew.
 
I may take that into consideration for Iris... althought she has an abnormally small face ... I'll have to be careful for sizing. I see them a lot so I doubt you'll get much heck for it, mind you I live in a big city
 
On another dog forum people recommend not using the halti for long-nosed and small dogs. I'm not sure why, missed the original threads, but it seems to be the general consensus (maybe they dont fit properly).

The gentle leader is really common here. In fact most larger dogs (esp labs and german shephards) are walked on gentle leaders or halti harnesses. My next door neighbour uses them because she walks 2 labs and doesnt want her arm pulled out, plus it is safer in case one reacts.

I used the gentle leader on Tully - esp if we are going near a road. It takes them a while to get used to them. When I was walking both of them on the gentle leader (boy that was hard) I would let them off lead and they would happily run in them. But catching a ball can be a bit of a problem. Tully was also highly reactive and it made a huge difference to keeping control of her behaviour. I only occassionally use it since she has gotten much better.
 
how do you recommend getting the dogs used to it?
I am thinking that life would be easily if i walk both of my dogs, and my foster collies in them. then maybe i can walk 3-4 dogs at a time.
 
ruckusluvr said:
how do you recommend getting the dogs used to it?
I am thinking that life would be easily if i walk both of my dogs, and my foster collies in them. then maybe i can walk 3-4 dogs at a time.
Click to expand...

Some people recommend that you let the dog sniff them first, and treat for any interaction with it. Then put the halter on, but around the neck only, not the nose part, and treat again. Then next time, put the nose piece on too and treat again. This way, the dog associates the halter with good things. Then you can walk them with the halter on their heads, but attach the leash to their regular collar or attach it to the halter and walk. Treat your dog when she/he is good with it (ie. not trying to get it off). They get used to it. Mine do not like it to this day, but they wear it with little to no fuss and this way I can take both for a walk without them lunging at cars, bicycles , joggers etc.
 
I was told to put it on when they eat their meals so they dont notice it so much because they are focused on their food. I only tried it once doing this tho because I was so desperate to get started using it. Tully nose skiied for quite a while but then got used to it.
 
I used one with Jazz who was very dog aggressive when I first got her. She was a terror to behold. OH my. The gentle leader was the only way I could get her back under control. I used a double leash system. One on the GL and the other on a plain buckle collar. 90% I only used the buckle collar leash and when needed the GL that way I was able to wean her off the GL. She only had to wear in for 6 months until she learned but its true if you don't work towards weaning off it,you will always need it. This is true of any training tool as well.

Jazz never did get totally use to it. She would rub her head on my leg and the floor but she knew if she wanted to go for a walk, she needed to tolerate it. I used a treat to put it on and then worked on sitting, walking, and focus on me using food. I didn't let her eat with it on from a bowl but hand fed. I hand fed Jazz for almost a whole year when I first got her. She learn all good thing came from me and that she needed to focus on me.
 
I think we will go with the Halti. no one around here carries the gentle leader! I would have to drive about 1 1/2 hours. plus where i am getting my halti would be more than glad to take it back if i didnt like it.


how is the Halti dif from the snoot loop?
 
I use the halti on Cadbury after a recommendation from my trainer and it definitely helps - there are loads of types, Gencon is another good one. Basically its about finding the one that works for you and that is easily available in your area.

The reason the head collars work is that they calm the dog by pressing on the top of the nose, this is what a bitch would do to an over-excited pup to calm them. It definitely made an impact on Cadbury and now I am working with the trainer on switching back to a normal collar and eventually to working him in class completely off lead.

Cadbury's main issue was pulling and getting over-excited.

The only thing I would say is that if the dog is reacting out of fear I don't think I would use a head collar as they are designed to reduce the dog's confidence and excitement, which is why they work on boisterous dogs! On under-confident dogs they could do more harm than good.

But I am a definite advocate for the head collar - when used properly of course:wink2:
 
Lynn's issue is excitement. Ruckus is territorial aggression (flat out! he will bite someone in a heart beat) + the urge to herd.

does that sound head halti worthy?
 
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