Today for the first time I....

CorvusCorax

CorvusCorax

Deary me...
Joined
15 January 2008
Messages
62,318
Location
End of the pier
Visit site
......used a headcollar on a dog!

As some of you know I am a wee bit old school and our dogs have always gone in flat link check chains but my mother will be having a minor op at the end of next month and cannot have her shoulder pulled about.
She can handle B very well on the chain but he is very strong and I would hate him to dive after something and hurt her so I got them a Gentle Leader and while I have been resistant to headcollars in the past, I am impressed with it.

Still getting him used to it, let him have it on but not attached, when I did end up putting pressure on it, yes there was some face-surfing and some rearing and piaffes that would not have looked out of place at the Spanish Riding School :p but he settled down quickly and all it took was a very light touch, so consider me a convert :p

I was after a Gencon or a Canny Collar but they had none in his size but no harm done!
 
I don't use them but I have started to buy a new one for most of the rescue that go out and advice new owner how to use them (I find it an easier "aid" for some) so easier to let the rescues go out with them on.
 
Harley has a GL for exciting moments!! lol!

He accepts it... he doesn't like it. Now I tend to have it in my pocket on a walk, put it on for a minute when hes being a brat and then he's fine after! It's like he thinks "oh damn! She's got that flipping thing again!"

I bumped into someone who know him well today and she said why does he look so sad? It is because of the GL! As soon as it's taken off he's a different dog!

I think with time I won't need it at all :)
 
Last edited:
My GSD x rottie loves hers. We taught her stick her nose into it with a peanut butter reward on the other side and she always wants it on .. even though she hasn't worn it for walkies for almost a year now LOL
 
I used a Halti on D for several months as she was just impossible to walk on the lead at first, even being young and with no mobility problems I struggled, by god did my arm and back hurt! I still remember the first time I took her out in it and was able to walk her up and down the street with the lead hooked around my little finger, it was a revelation.

That said, I ditched it as soon as she'd learnt how to walk on a flat collar because I didn't like the perception that it was a muzzle (more than one person asked why she was muzzled, snatched their kids away etc.) and because no matter what size or adjustment I tried it always rode up too close to her eyes. If it had been a long term thing I would probably have invested in a Dogmatic, they look a good fit. :)

R is a habituated puller (unless I have him properly heeling with the prospect of food) but I wouldn't dare try one on him as he is a speshul sensitive soul who would pitch an absolute fit, he's got some weird sensory ishoos. That and he can duck out of a collar or a harness so I wouldn't hold out much hope for staying in it. :p
 
I have no qualms about either figure of eighting the slip-lead over Henry's nose or getting the Halti out when the situation calls for it. He is fairly small but he's very persistent when he starts pulling, and controlling his head prevents this. It's brought into play only when he pulls, and although it does cause some am-dram moments, it also works wonders. It's the difference between a tug of war and a relaxing walk through town in company.

If you can ride one-handed, you can use a headcollar properly. I see it as little different from putting a stronger bit on a horse for hunting, which is something many people do.
 
I used a gencon on Evie, she was so much easier on it as a youngster, I used to use it for the first 10 minutes at new exciting places. Like BC the issue I have with them is that people tend think your dog is muzzled and shy away from it.
 
I have a Dogmatic and I've got to be honest, it's blinkin' fab! :o

I've always shied away from head halter things, as I kind of thought they were a cop out from teaching a dog to walk well on a lead (a bit like shoving a strong bit in a young horses mouth, rather than doing the schooling).

I am, however, completely converted. I have a rubbish back and pretty much ruined shoulders, so 40kg of 18 month old GSD suddenly launching himself at the nearest wood pigeon is really quite painful lol. It's given me that extra little control I needed during training (I can actually correct or distract, rather than just hold on for dear life going 'owowow this will hurt for daaaays! :(').

He's walked well on the lead from a few months old, but now is also fairly reliable at ignoring squirrels and the like so the Dogmatic is required less and less (still get it out for traffic and exciting situations) as I don't have to worry about yet another ligament in my shoulder being pulled apart at a moment's notice :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top