Colliewood Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Hi, Does anyone have any info on comparing head collars? Features, position of straps for xyz reason etc?? The good, the bad, the ugly please. ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 I found many of them came to just under my dogs eyes, enough to be annoying, except the Halti which you can now purchase from Coles Supermarkets, the design keeps the nose strap away from eyes and is excellent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 (edited) Suzanne Clothier has an article on her website called 'The Problem with Head Collars' that I think gives a good perspective on them, you will have to join up to read it but it's worth it (and it's free): http://flyingdogpress.com/content/view/54/97/ Edited June 23, 2009 by huski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 ... the Halti which you can now purchase from Coles Supermarkets... Can they? How disappointing . The last thing dogs need are more correctional tools available in supermarkets where there is guaranteed absolutely no possibility of any hints/tips/advice on their use. Not that they necessarily would or could get that from the Vet clinics and Pet Stores where they were previously commonly purchased, but at least there was an underlying chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 ... the Halti which you can now purchase from Coles Supermarkets... Can they? How disappointing . The last thing dogs need are more correctional tools available in supermarkets where there is guaranteed absolutely no possibility of any hints/tips/advice on their use. Not that they necessarily would or could get that from the Vet clinics and Pet Stores where they were previously commonly purchased, but at least there was an underlying chance. I agree Erny, IMO no correctional tool be it head collar or check chain should be sold in the supermarket - just MHO though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MolassesLass Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Due to the risk of serious neck injury I would never use any type of collar that puts strain on the neck - dogs are not structured like horses. The Australian Veterinary Chiropractic Assoc. says the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 molasseslass- do you have a link to the Australian veterinary Chiros opinion on h/c's? Would be interesting to read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~*Shell*~ Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I've found with headcollars, as well as them being quite dangerous to a dog that pulls, a lot of dogs (like mine) can get them off very easily. Zero worked out that if he put his head down to his neck and swiped his paw over the back of his head, he can get it off no matter how tight it is and then can pull it off his face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MolassesLass Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 molasseslass- do you have a link to the Australian veterinary Chiros opinion on h/c's? Would be interesting to read. No I don't, I got that bit of information from Poodlefan. I had a quick search and found this: I was first made aware of negative effects head collars have in 1993 at a module of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association chiropractic certification course, Illinois,USA. The rapid deterioration in neck mobility with the use of a head collar was demonstrated then and has been recognised by myself and many other veterinarians and registered chiropractors trained in veterinary chiropractic since. Cervical Vertebrae, Middle Ear, and Brain Stem Injuries in Dogs Caused by Improperly Used Control Devices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Due to the risk of serious neck injury I would never use any type of collar that puts strain on the neck - dogs are not structured like horses. The Australian Veterinary Chiropractic Assoc. says the same thing. I agree with ML, I hate head collars with a passion and would never use one on any dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colliewood Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 ... the Halti which you can now purchase from Coles Supermarkets... Can they? How disappointing . The last thing dogs need are more correctional tools available in supermarkets where there is guaranteed absolutely no possibility of any hints/tips/advice on their use. Not that they necessarily would or could get that from the Vet clinics and Pet Stores where they were previously commonly purchased, but at least there was an underlying chance. I went to Coles today and looked at it. You know what, no instructions on its use.!! Just how it works and the fact it's not chew proof. Huski - Thanks for the site reference earlier. Have looked at it and well get into it more tonight. With regards to the chiro info against head collars, I have info saying the same with check chains. How does one know who to believe? Although I don't doubt it with both if used incorrectly. I am not trying to stir the pot, I simply am learning and would like to understand what I can about the options. I bought a Martingale (is that spelt correctly) today and like that on my bc, he did well on it. It's so bloody confusing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Paws Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 While not a huge fan of head halters i have tried a few over time. The best one I think is possibly the Black Dog brand head halter.It seems to fit well and does not annoy the dog too much.We sell the Gentle leader at training and I think it's section that goes over the dogs muzzle is too thin and leaves a mark on the muzzle although they do have the best instructions being a dvd included Not personally used a Halti brand although have had 2 people come to training with ones that have snapped Have you looked at the Newtrix Easyway Collar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) We sell the Gentle leader at training and I think it's section that goes over the dogs muzzle is too thin and leaves a mark on the muzzle ... I agree with the above, although the GL can have advantages in certain situations and for certain applications. But I was recently informed (3rd hand info) that the newer GL's had not only a wider muzzle strap but that it was also padded. That's what I've been told, anyway. IMO each of the brands harbor advantages AND disadvantages when being compared to one and then another. It boils down to which brand/style would be best for the individual dog in question. And that has to take into account not only the dog's head size and shape, but also the size of its neck in comparison to its head, its length of muzzle and also what behaviour issues are present (if any). Personally, I don't often use them. But I am a trainer and therefore I have made a point of learning not only about them but also how they should be properly used and the dangers in not using them properly and to gaining some experience in their use. Head collars have been of use to me personally in some special circumstances. Edited June 24, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) I've used an older style halti on April. The nose strap was too close to her eyes & I rarely used it. My obedience club introduced Black Dog head collars & I like them better. If the dog gets the nose band off you still have the dog by its (BD) collar. When we 1st started using head collars we were told that you should use 2 leads or a double ended lead. You have one end on the dogs collar & this is the lead that's held shorter. The other end is on the halter & held loosely. I always found this to be awkward. I was always adjusting the leads. And April never liked wearing it. If I ever walk my son's dog I will use it. When we fit dogs with a halter we recommend they use it with a connector. Mostly now we sell easy walking harnesses which attach to the lead in the front of the dog. I need to use any of these things on my current dog as I've taught her not to pull, well, most of the time. The thing to remember is to not use the halter as you do a check collar. You can damage the dogs neck. Hence the use of 2 leads. Edited June 24, 2009 by luvsdogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha bet Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Head collars can have their place in a training program but most people new to headcollars are not that successful with the introduction. Also agree with many of the people here, the blackdog brand do seem to work more effectively. The supermarkets seem to get into selling anything nowdays. Initially we were told that heartworm tablets should not be given until the dog has been checked clear of heartworm, hence only available thru a vet now there are many types of heartworm available off the shelf. Pet shops now also sell electronic collars perhaps we will see these stim collars available for our families to purchase from the supermarket shelf next. Perhaps some of the parents will start using them on the kids..... What next.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Paws Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 We sell the Gentle leader at training and I think it's section that goes over the dogs muzzle is too thin and leaves a mark on the muzzle ... I agree with the above, although the GL can have advantages in certain situations and for certain applications. But I was recently informed (3rd hand info) that the newer GL's had not only a wider muzzle strap but that it was also padded. That's what I've been told, anyway. IMO each of the brands harbor advantages AND disadvantages when being compared to one and then another. It boils down to which brand/style would be best for the individual dog in question. And that has to take into account not only the dog's head size and shape, but also the size of its neck in comparison to its head, its length of muzzle and also what behaviour issues are present (if any). Personally, I don't often use them. But I am a trainer and therefore I have made a point of learning not only about them but also how they should be properly used and the dangers in not using them properly and to gaining some experience in their use. Head collars have been of use to me personally in some special circumstances. there is a Deluxe Gentle Leader that is padded around the muzzle area but I have only seen it overseas,not here yet anyway that I have come across Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 ..........I went to Coles today and looked at it. You know what, no instructions on its use.!! Just how it works and the fact it's not chew proof. ................. It's so bloody confusing... There is more information inside the pack in a leaflet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colliewood Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 ..........I went to Coles today and looked at it. You know what, no instructions on its use.!! Just how it works and the fact it's not chew proof. ................. It's so bloody confusing... There is more information inside the pack in a leaflet Not in the one from Coles - Pet Life is the brand, I think it is a generic Halti. I ended up going to buy one as I need to do a comparison and nothing inside. I need look at them and see them on. Nothing like seeing them on then you get a feel for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I am surprised the orgs who so involve themselves with the control (or, as it stands, the banning) of training equipment that we can or cannot use with our dogs have not stepped in to howl down the rights of anyone selling training equipment from supermarkets. 'They' say they don't like certain tools and their reasoning is supposedly based in the 'welfare' of dogs, yet they allow this to occur without a scrap of a murmur. Oh. But then they support the head collar as being a 'kind' and 'positive' training tool. So it must be alright then. :) :shakehead: Why don't they poke their noses in when it really would do some good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 ... the Halti which you can now purchase from Coles Supermarkets... Can they? How disappointing . The last thing dogs need are more correctional tools available in supermarkets where there is guaranteed absolutely no possibility of any hints/tips/advice on their use. Not that they necessarily would or could get that from the Vet clinics and Pet Stores where they were previously commonly purchased, but at least there was an underlying chance. I agree. I am a trainer, I use them sometimes but I see so many dogs being tugged and pulled along with them, it is distressing. I saw BHAG on TV yesterday on Fox. Dr Harry was advocating their use but didn't give enough info. I was yelling at the telly. The halti was very tight also no extra info was given to the viewer. He then went on to the sporn which I also like and use but again it was too tight with no explanation of use. The dog was lifted from the ground...really annoyed me. The idea of a halti or a sporn is to use to train your dog to stop pulling so they can be removed ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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