Interested in what folk here would have said to this.......

lexiedhb

lexiedhb

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Back story: dog is a very reactive, strong rescue Lab, first dog to its owner who has made big strides with it (no longer goes ape at other dogs etc but still has its triggers.)


"Just thought I'd post this in case it's of interest to others with very reactive dogs.

Although Dex is so much better, he goes beserk if we see a cat or a horse. I find the Dogmatic fab *but* Dex slips between two sizes.

So today I tried a Gencon headcollar - as opposed to the Gencon All In One. I used the latter for a while and it was fab but the all in one part (the lead) was just too flimsy for such a strong dog.

The Gencon headcollar works in exactly the same way but you attach your own lead. Worked a treat - Dex walked beautifully and we even ran into a cat and I was able to remain totally in control

Because it does tighten a bit if the dog pulls/lunges I don't recommend this headcollar for dogs that are pulling and lunging a lot.

However, if like me you have a very strong, big dog that walks nicely most of the time, and you need that bit of extra help on occasion, then this headcollar gets a good rating from me.

In case you're wondering what it looks like when on: it really looks just like a Gentle Leader, as it's just two loops. But it attaches at the side - not under the dog's jaw."
 
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i dont like headcollars personally but im glad its working and can see its use - as Dex is walking well most of the time and only occasionally needs something more to hold him. he understands the pressure of the headcollar and the behaviour desired.

imo headcollars are only harsh in the wrong hands, a confirmed puller with no training or clue being put in one and walked for example.

im surprised you had such a strong reaction to your post on another forum?
 
What's the issue?

When I used a headcollar (different brand) with my old dog, it provoked a much stronger reaction/amateur dramatics than anything I'd ever used before on any dog including a choke chain/slip lead/prong collar and I had to be very careful to be VERY light with it and he was never very happy to have it on (unlike aforementioned bits of kit).

I can imagine what sort of response that would get :p

If something works and makes things easier for dog and handler I see no issue.
 
CaveCanem said:
If something works and makes things easier for dog and handler I see no issue.
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^^^^^^^^^This is what I said^^^^^^^^^^

Thread kinda turned into a "you dont wanna be doing it like that- your damaging your dog yadda yadda"

More than one way to skin a cat, or train a dog IMO.
 
CaveCanem said:
What's the issue?

When I used a headcollar (different brand) with my old dog, it provoked a much stronger reaction/amateur dramatics than anything I'd ever used before on any dog including a choke chain/slip lead/prong collar and I had to be very careful to be VERY light with it and he was never very happy to have it on (unlike aforementioned bits of kit).

I can imagine what sort of response that would get :p

If something works and makes things easier for dog and handler I see no issue.
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Ditto with my GSD x Rottie ...
Hold up a headcollar = subdued dog, tries to hide her face ...
Hold up an ugly metal prong collar up = waggy dog desperate to stick her head in the thing.

Thankfully now neither are needed but I feel people need to do what they can do to keep their dogs and other animals safe as long as they are thinking about what they are doing and why it works.
 
I use a headcollar on Harley and it was a revelation. He knows how to walk nicely on a loose lead on a collar, but if he is excited about something he can be a real toad and he is so strong!! I tried a headcollar and instantly he walked perfectly in all situations. He also has a wider neck than head and can slip a collar unless done up really tight, so I feel safer walking him in a headcollar.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOG-TRAIN..._Steamers_Cookers_PP&var=&hash=item2a0d717a56

I like this design as it leads from the side so it doesn't ride up round his eyes or twist his head. Not sure how it could damage him??????

I'm sure if I did lots of training I could just walk him off a collar, but we just get on with it in such a no hassle way and the variety I use can just be used as a slip lead which I do use when I need to get a lead on him quick and he's not in a situation what he would pull.
 
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MissTyc said:
Ditto with my GSD x Rottie ...
Hold up a headcollar = subdued dog, tries to hide her face ...
Hold up an ugly metal prong collar up = waggy dog desperate to stick her head in the thing.

Thankfully now neither are needed but I feel people need to do what they can do to keep their dogs and other animals safe as long as they are thinking about what they are doing and why it works.
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Exactly. My young one goes batty if he hears any sort of a chain being rattled, as he associates it with fun times.

I was really surprised how 'strong' the Gentle Leader was. I got it for my Mum as she had a shoulder op and I didn't want the older dog lunging forwards for any reason and pulling her stitches although he did walk to heel mostly (achieved with a slip lead :p)
I don't think it was actually hurting him, he was just being a drama queen, but I don't think he liked the sensation of something over his face/pressure on his big schnozz (and it was introduced correctly, not just slapped on and off we went).
 
I've used a headcollar with Dizzy and he seemed perfectly happy with it. I introduced it to him slowly but very soon he associated it with walks so he would get very excited when it came out. I did it as a shortcut because I didn't have the time to train him 100% not to pull on the lead (he was mainly good but if he got excited he was too much for me to hold and work through the problem).
 
If it works for the poster and she and her dog are enjoying walks I can't see the problem.
I have used a Gencon on Evie, it did help with control but she used to hide her face when I was putting it on, she then spent the first part of her walk scraping her face on the floor and pawing at it. Swapped to a prong collar and when it appears she bounces round me, sits quietly for it to be put on and walks happily out of the gate, at heel with her tail wagging.
 
I couldn't walk Tia without a headcollar. 95% of the time she is fab, if a little nervous, but one rreally scary or really exciting thing and she would have me over or in the middle of the road. She is half my weight! I haven't used it on a walk in two weeks but it's on, with a double ended lead, just in case!
 
lexiedhb said:
Thanks for your reply.......
Not my post- someone else with a dog called Dex.
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Ah, see I think that's why I was confused as I thougt your dog was called Dex so didn't know if that was a quote or not. Plus, as there was no context to what the quote was from i was unsure what the jist of it was.
 
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