It can be a daunting experience standing in the pet shop with the dazzling array of many different collars and leads, wondering which is the most appropriate for your dog.
Flat buckle collar, whippet collar, body harness, prong collar, check chain, half check, slip collar, halti, gentle leader, leather leash, chain leash, nylon strip, slip lead, flexi lead…..the choices are wide and varied.
Don’t be swayed by the pretty colours or the assurances from staff that “this collar is the kindest way to walk your dog”. Make sure you choose the correct equipment to give you both an enjoyable experience. At HUDDERSFIELD K9 We’re happy to discuss your requirements and help you with your choices if you feel you need assistance.
Head Collars/Halti/Gentle Leader/Dogmatic
We strongly advise against use of the head collar apart from in very rare and specific circumstances.
Don’t listen to armchair dog trainers, armchair behaviourists, amateurs and part-time pet shop trainers.
These dangerous halters can come off and can also cause spinal injuries to dogs if the dog lunges because it turns the head.
Vets usually like Haltis and Gentle Leaders because they sell them. Vets are NOT behaviourists, and they actually only do a very small input in their veterinary training on dog behaviour.
We feel these are unnecessary for 99.9% of dogs. They have their use however and are useable in extremely rare instances. In our opinion, these are not so much a dog training tool as a crutch for people that do not understand animal behaviour or what a dog thinks or feels.
We particularly dislike these because dog head halters don’t teach the dog anything, they know when it is on and off, dogs usually hate them and flip out and try and get it off, that and you risk spinal injury to your dog if you use one. All they are is a restraint to subdue dogs. We have seen dogs with their noses raw like a tomato from rubbing their noses on the cement to get the horrible thing off their face.
REMEMBER… If you visit a dog training club and all the dogs are wearing a Halti, they are not training you. They are just helping you get along by restraining your dog!…….. so forget me if i am wrong but did you not attend the dog club to correct your problem ?
Our research into dog training clubs shows that people who arrive with either an excitable or aggressive dog are pushed towards purchasing a Halti type head restraint.It gives the club a “quick fix” to make you think you have corrected your problem when in fact you have just covered it up.
The use of a head collar ”breeds” faults and frustrates the dog more…
Bad instructors don’t teach… they avoid problems and issues!!!
Head collars cause frustration. Frustration can lead to aggression.
Forget the gimmicks, train your dog, don’t restrain your dog.
For correct honest instruction that achieves results speak to Hudds K9.
