i wouldn't be without my halti harness now. my poppy pulls something chronic on a collar and lead no matter how many stop starts i do, as soon as she comes back to me and i start walking again off she pulls, it was really starting to hurt her throat and i was getting quite concerned, i changed to a harness as surely it can't be good for her neck and throat.
i use the halti now and she pulls so much less, but when she does i still do the stop start so i'm not using it instead of training her.
i walked her today on just a collar and lead as her harness is getting too small, i hoped she would be a lot better on just the collar but she was a nightmare, it was a horrible walk. why are collars and leads meant to be better than a harness? all dogs are different so is it possible that some get on better with one thing and not the other?
I believe that whatever choice of 'equipment' - plus an owner's input - is used, (provided it does no harm to the dog), that helps a dog to learn a behaviour, including walking, is an individual owner's choice.
Yes I do think that some dogs do get on better with different types of 'equipment'. And there are dogs that do not like wearing some 'equipment'. And there are dogs who do not respond in the way we expect, when wearing certain 'equipment'. And I think it is important to try to find what works best for the dog and the owner.
You know that Poppy walks better with a Halti, so if I were you I'd get her the next sized one if you can, and enjoy your walks with her.
Sue
Last edited by flyaway on Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:05 am; edited 2 times in total
Hi Poppington, I took Lucy out again tonight with collar and the RSPCA extendable lead, and again like yesterday and last night, she was excellent!! She is 2, and to be honest had almost given up!! I am finding this the best so far (apart from the Halti). I release the lead quite a bit, let her get ahead and have a sniff and a nosy, then lock it, stop walking and call her back to me to walk beside me on a short lead. She was so well behaved.
The halti is brilliant to, but she hates it round her nose, even getting it on, she looks at me with them big sad eyes. I woul dn't like to use it for the next 10 years. Am determined to have a nice, calm, walking dog!
One of my dogs was a like that - he liked the extra freedom and this really helped him at that time.
What I'm ham-fistedly trying to say is that there is no 'right' piece of equipment that will suit all dogs, and it is lovely that you have found what works for you and Lucy.
Sue
Last edited by flyaway on Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:07 am; edited 1 time in total
Hi Poppington, I took Lucy out again tonight with collar and the RSPCA extendable lead, and again like yesterday and last night, she was excellent!! She is 2, and to be honest had almost given up!! I am finding this the best so far (apart from the Halti). I release the lead quite a bit, let her get ahead and have a sniff and a nosy, then lock it, stop walking and call her back to me to walk beside me on a short lead. She was so well behaved.
I'm not sure where you are using the extendable lead, but please don't use it when walking her alongside a road - I don't think they are a good choice for that. I have hear of two many dogs deciding to jump into the road, the lock failing, dogs getting under cars etc. and would hate to hear of another
Hi Sue, thanks for that. So many different people give different advice about the right and wrong way to do things. I thought it was really bad having a 2year old pulling on the lead! Halti works a treat, but Lucy hates it, and I felt guilty making her wear it. But this lead is a transformation, a different dog!
As you say things work differently for different dogs and people!
Angela, the route we take for our night walk is on path of a busy road, but there is a grassy area between the path and road, it is quite wide. I only extend the lead far enough that she can't get onto the road. When we come to cross a road, I have the lead shortened so she is beside me. I have got her to the stage now, where she will stop when we come to a junction, but still she can be an unpredictable madam, so I wouldn't take a chance! I see some people walking dogs with no lead, but I would never trust any dog and what they would do.
Years ago, my stepdad walked our wee Cairn Terrier Lucy (yes my Lucy called after her). He was so proud of the way she walked beside him and never strayed. We used to say better safe than sorry with a lead, but he was adamant. However, one night while crossing the road, Lucy stopped to eat some chips out of a carton in the middle of the road, before he knew it a car had came and hit her! Will never forgive him for that.
Also, 2 years ago, my brother bummed about what a good swimmer his Lab Barney was and how well he was trained. Barney was only 10 months, when he tired in the river, couldn't climb up the bank, and got swept downstream in the current. My brother jumped in and rescued him, but poor Barney passed away in the vet. Have never seen my brother been so upset or cry in my life. Was heartbreaking!
Sorry, I am waffling on a bit here!
But yes, I understand your concern, and would never take a chance.
I'm so sorry to hear about Lucy and Barney, how sad
LovelyLucy wrote:
Angela, the route we take for our night walk is on path of a busy road, but there is a grassy area between the path and road, it is quite wide. I only extend the lead far enough that she can't get onto the road. When we come to cross a road, I have the lead shortened so she is beside me. I have got her to the stage now, where she will stop when we come to a junction, but still she can be an unpredictable madam, so I wouldn't take a chance! I see some people walking dogs with no lead, but I would never trust any dog and what they would do.
My worry is that sometimes the locks fail, especially if you have a big strong dog deciding something on the other side of the road looks really interesting! I have heard of dogs just pulling and the lock failing and the dog ending up in the middle of the road
Yes Angela, that is true, it could happen. I have seen these leads very cheap in pound shops etc. The one I have is RSPCS and seems to be very strong, so fingers crossed, although thats not to say it would never break.
She'll maybe be able to walk on her normal lead soon, if she carries on being a good girl and I perservere training her properly to walk nice!
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