Hi Again Everyone,
So I've got the head collar, I've already tried it on him and took him round the garden..he's not very fond of it at the moment (still trying to pull) may take a few days.

My question is shall I take him his walk with is normal collar tomorro morning or should I use the head collar? I dont think I'll get very far with the head collar as he's only just getting used to it. But then if I use his neck collar I might confuse him..?

Thanks for any answers and advice

I would put the headcollar on him, but don't attach it to the lead so he is just sort of wearing it. Once he gets used to it being there, you can attach it. Do you have a double ended leash? One end needs to go on the headcollar, once he is used to it, the other end on the collar. That way, when he realises I can't pull you will be able to just use the collar end unless you need it.

Diva pulls like a train, but once she has got over the first excitement, I can usually get away with just holding the collar end for most of the time.

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Thanks for your reply!

I dont actually have a leash with a double clip. Because he pulls like hell on a normal collar, I'm worried if I put the head collar on him as well..he'll think its still alright to pull.

He probably will at first. What do you usually walk him on? I would use that, and just put the headcollar on. You can still clip one end to a harness if that is what you use.

I found with Diva that she gave up trying to pull very quickly with the Dogmatic. All you need do is hold the lead so that the dog's head stays down; if he can't get his nose up, he can't pull. She still object occasionally, usually when she is excited to get somewhere, but most of the time she is quite happy and I can walk her with only one hand on the leash.

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http://www.royston-pet-care.co.uk



Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

If you want real love, buy a dog

If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

http://pettaxisg8.yolasite.com/
http://www.help-for-learner-drivers.yolasite.com/

Its just a normal neck collar I use.
Sorry hope I dont sound stupid, not sure what you meen by nose down..as if sniffing the ground?
Is your leash loose when you walk him with one hand?

Thanks

No, not that far down! Think of a horse wearing a headcollar. You are lower than the horse so his nose is in a natural position, but that is more or less where you want the dog's head to be. It is difficult to explain, but you don't want to force his head down, just hold the leash so that it is level with, say your hip, depending on how tall you are. I am 5 ft 3 in and my dogs are probably taller so it is only a guide.

Most of the time I now have her held fairly loosely. I have one end of the lead attached to the headcollar and the other attached to her collar, and if I hold the lead so I have both bits in my hand we are fine. After a while I can just hold the collar end until she realises and starts going faster!

You will get the hang of it, I'm sure.

__________________
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http://www.royston-pet-care.co.uk



Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

If you want real love, buy a dog

If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

http://pettaxisg8.yolasite.com/
http://www.help-for-learner-drivers.yolasite.com/

Ahh I see, thanks for explaining. Just want to get this right cos its my last solution for the pulling
Cheers

I had never used one on a determined puller before. I just had one on Ferdie because when he sees something he wants to go after, I've got no hope so most of the time I just have hold of the collar end with him.

Diva pulled me flat on my face the first time I had a lead on her, so she had Ferdie's dogmatic on next time just to see how she was. I didn't take the time to get her used to it, I'm afraid, because I saw it as a dangerous situation and I daren't take her out without something. She is much stronger than me. Most of the time she walks fine just next to me with it and doesn't try to get it off unless she is really excited about getting somewhere.

I hope it works ok.

__________________
http://www.gentle-newfoundland-dogs.com
http://www.royston-pet-care.co.uk



Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

If you want real love, buy a dog

If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

http://pettaxisg8.yolasite.com/
http://www.help-for-learner-drivers.yolasite.com/

Play this game with him to earn his dinner tonight. Could do the same thing tomorrow morning. Then provided he's happy and has progressed well with the game and is offering you his nose- pop it on him and take him for a short walk with it and practice heelwork (reward slack lead etc).

If you're good, I'll let you wear your headcollar!

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NewfiesMum,
Thats interesting you must of read my mind because I was going to ask you what Ferdie is like on the head collar if he wants to get to something.
I have a strong doberman..I'll do the head collar training in the garden but I'm worried when I take him for a proper walk what he'll be like around oncoming people/dogs...With a neck collar, I end up flat on my face and I dont want to put myself through that so usually avoid people as much as I can.
I feel bad cos it's restricting our walks more and more.