Muzzle leash?

[Elly]

Just wondering about those new leashes that go around the muzzle to stop the dog from pulling all the time.

Does anyone use them?. I have been told that they are not a muzzle and the dog can open their mouth and eat or drink and everything. It just is supposed to help them to stop dragging you around.

I am so tired of Zoe pulling on the leash . She also trys to grab my legs and come around in front of me and jump.

Going for a walk is no fun at all

 

[Gempress]

They are called head halters or haltis. The concept is the same as the halter on a horse. By controlling the dog's head, they give the owner more control and make it so the dog can't pull.There are many people who love them, since they make walking so much easier and are painless to the dog.

I personally don't like them. Dogs can cause themselves neck injury if they try to jump/pull against it. It also does nothing to solve the pulling problem. It's a restraint device, not a training tool. Once the halti is taken off, the dog usually goes right back to pulling.

Also, some dogs cannot tolerate the halti. Unlike horses, restraining dogs by the muzzle may have a psychological impact. Dog discipline subordinates by grabbing around the muzzle. As a result, some dogs have a big change in demeanor when on the halti. Others may outright panic.

Before trying the halti, I suggest to do a search on this forum for pulling on leash. There are many good topics on teaching good leash manners, and most methods are very simple and don't require any special equipment. I'd give those a try first.

 

[bubbatd]

I know a lot of owners who like them...called " Gentle Leaders "

 

[Elly]

Thanks Gempress

I went to the Pet Valu today and talked to the woman there. She also advised against using the halter type leash for the same reasons you mentioned.

She suggested the choker collar only putting it on in such a way that is doesnt actually choke but it makes a noise and so the dog stops pulling.

She put one on Zoe and walked around with her. When Zoe pulled she pulled the leash in such a way that the collar makes a noise then loosens immediately. Actually Zoe walked really well and seemed comfortable.

NOt sure on this though and will investigate further as you have suggested.

 

[Dobiegurl]

I dont like halti's or gentle leaders. I use an "old fashioned" prong collar. Works great for me.

 

[smkie]

i needed no of the above to teach Vic to heel and i am glad. I learned from Kelly a new approach to the whole topic of being on a leash and wish i had known it 20 years ago. I would be horrified to use any of the above now.

 

[Saje]

How about some good ole fashioned training?

 

[PWCorgi]

smki-would you mind sharing that info please
Or direct me to where I could find it?

 

[smkie]

Kelly said when your dog begins to pull, about face and go the other way. As soon as he puts pressure on the leash to lead about face again. The dog will figure out that his way isn't working and his attention will switch from what's ahead to what is trainer is doing and why. YOu get a bit dizzy but it worked like a dream. Kelly has a coonhound, a coonhound mix, a sharpeii mix that all walk beautifully on the leash even at the off leash park where temptation is extreme. She also trained Jack a big black german shepard she fostered after his owner's death the same way. I tried it with Vic and was astounded. I think Big Dog Daddy had combined success with Rocky. I think back to all that muscle jerking where i had to obed dogs each day at the kennel and wish wish wish i had known this way back when. Having the dog's focus on you while you walk is exactly where you want it. Then you go forward as a "team" or a unit. With Vic sometimes it feels almost like dancing we are so in sync. No choking, no prongs, nothing on the face (those gentle leaders just creep me out") no dangerous choke chain. Just our reg collar and a nice short leash. IT took only a few lessons and a once in a while reminder before he walked nicely all the time.

 

[PWCorgi]

Thanks Smkie, I may just try that! My two guys loose leash walk very well 75% if the time but walking them together is a disaster b/c they fight for the lead, even though I should be the lead.

I bet I'm going to get quite a few stares and probably end up on my bum, lol, but I'll give it a go.

 

[smkie]

Hope it works for you like it did for me!!!!!! GOOD LUCK! let me know

 

[Roxy's CD]

smkie I do sort of the same thing but I use somewhat of a training collar, the voldthard (sp) *gasp* I know..

My parent's use a halti on their 120lb mastiff X and it works great. Take it off...bye mom!! Does the ashphalt taste good! lol

 

[bubbatd]

When walking 2, I used the double lead... both walked next to each other.

 

[LabBreeder]

I can't use a double lead with the size difference and Gunner doesn't/can't keep up with Tira yet. I used to use a body halter on Tira, but it just rubbed her chest hair and she could still pull, so we stopped using that. I've been using the "halti" for a couple weeks now and it's worked great. I don't always keep it on her. When it's off, she still walks and doesn't pull or try to go further than her leash allows. I've also done smkie's thing. Wheneve the dog pulls turn around and go the other way, and keep doing it until they stop. It started out as an accidental thing. I was just walking and turning and then I noticed she wasn't pulling or jumping because we were constantly changing directions.
Either way, I think it all depends on how you use whichever method you choose to go with.

 

[Elly]

I did try that walking in another direction with Zoe but she treated it like a game and got even more excited and started to jump up at me more.

Maybe the halter type is something that might work as a training device just to get the dog into a habit of walking properly even when they are not on it.

That appears to be what is happening with Labreeder's dog.