Face Halters In The Showring?

[Alyosha]

I have been wondering about this one for a while. Is it ever done that a dog wears a face harness in a show ring? I have one that has a dreadful response to any sort of neck collar, check chain, sliplead, half martingale, full martingale, flat collar - ANYTHING.

But one tiny strand around her face, behind her ears and under her chin and her whole demeanor changes - from trudging and trying to pull to lightness and life.

Is it ever done? Can it be done?

I realise that it impacts the appearance of their head/face. But is that a fair trade off with a dramatic difference in attitude and all over appearance? ;) Let me also explain that I never previously agreed with halters on dogs at all - until I got this one girl...

I'd love to see this one show in the ring what she does off lead and in a face halter - she's a different hound! We've tried lots of re-training with lots of experienced people, with no results. She's a stubborn bugger! I'd now rather leave her at home that see her trudge around as soon as a show lead goes on. I thought maybe she just wasn't ever going to enjoy showing, fair enough. But if I put her in a halter and go in the ring (outside of class obviously!) she is herself again. So I think it's the lead and not her attitude to showing as such.

Ideas?

[becks]

All you can do is give it a try.

[Dogsfevr]

I now of someone here that di use a halti for a period to re educate a dog & most judges where happy to work in with it BUT it distract some & didnt look rewal flash in the ring

[oakway]

Never seen one on a dog in the ring.

[Alyosha]

Hmmm. Me either. I'm wondering what I can make out of superfine paracord that might be hardly visible... She has a white face so at least colour matching is easy!

[kirst_goldens]

i was thinking the same thing, try to make it thin and as invisible as possible and see how u go, u never know she might love it enough to learn to go in with a show lead!

[SkySoaringMagpie]

The difficulty with head halters is that they are well known as a behaviour modification device. People use them because they have a specific effect on dog behaviour, and that is why they are not permitted in formal obedience (where a dog is expected to work on a flat collar). Part of the test of working ability and temperament is the dog and handler's ability to work without modification devices.

You may run into judges who don't know this, but most working group judges at least would question a halter being on a show dog and I suspect gun dog judges would be similar. In fact, any judges who have some exposure to current thinking in obedience would question a halter on a show dog.

Edit: I've just realised that you can mostly imitate a halter with a show lead and get away with it. If your breeder can't help, let's catch up at our next show and try it!

Edited April 2, 2010 by SkySoaringMagpie

[RoxyNHemi]

I know of a large breed that has been shown on one recently for a few different reasons, and as far as they could find there is no rule against it.. it just isnt very sightly

[Shaar]

I personally wouldn't do it.

You want to show off your dogs head, not have it hidden or dis proportioned by rope or paracord going across his muzzle.

Seeing as how the cord sits in front of the stop it will most likely give the appearance of your dogs muzzle being shorter than it is, even if you do use white.

I'd enrol in some training classes or just go hardcore with the training yourself and try a few different methods.

Have you tried just getting him to wear a collar and adding a weight to it to get him used to the pulling sensation?

[HOGWARTZBOXERS]

HI Aylosha.

Just a thought..... have you tried using BOTH at the same time? Put the show lead on AFTER you place the head set on, then try show training with out using force on the show lead, just have it sitting there, then gradually use more pressure on the show lead and less on the head set.

It may take some time but it might work.

Cheers

Hogz

Edited April 2, 2010 by HOGWARTZBOXERS

[becks]

You could use a light slip lead and make a loop to place over the dogs nose so it works like a halty but then easily remove it for when your dog is stacked while the judge looks at the dog, then quickly loop it back over the nose for moving?

[Alyosha]

Thanks guys, lots of food for thought...

Have you tried just getting him to wear a collar and adding a weight to it to get him used to the pulling sensation?

I could try but not sure if it would work - rubbing off neck coat is always a consideration too. But she pulls into any collar she wears, she's not worried about them, the sensation just pushes her down and forward. So not sure if a weighted collar would encourage that? She's strong as an ox and has a high hunt drive - she hunts head down like a basset or bloodhound

HI Aylosha.

Just a thought..... have you tried using BOTH at the same time? Put the show lead on AFTER you place the head set on, then try show training with out using force on the show lead, just have it sitting there, then gradually use more pressure on the show lead and less on the head set.

It may take some time but it might work.

Cheers

Hogz

Will definitely try this one.

You could use a light slip lead and make a loop to place over the dogs nose so it works like a halty but then easily remove it for when your dog is stacked while the judge looks at the dog, then quickly loop it back over the nose for moving?

This was what I was thinking! I think it just takes some dexterity and practice - like a magic trick... Watch me slip this face strap into my palm like magic!!

[ellz]

You could use a light slip lead and make a loop to place over the dogs nose so it works like a halty but then easily remove it for when your dog is stacked while the judge looks at the dog, then quickly loop it back over the nose for moving?

I'd be trying this. It's no different to slipping the lead under a dog's ear from the opposite side of the head, or even showing a dog on a "dead" choker.