Re: harnesses, Haltis, prong collars
Forwarded in plain text for Vilma: In a message dated 7/29/2003 9:48:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Is there a proper way to put on a prong collar? Yes, it is very easy. Just take it apart in the middle and put it back together on the dog. Simply squeeze any two of the links to open it and seperate themyou can put together or take apart the collar at any point and rehook it around the dog' s neck. Do NOT slide it as it is over the dog's head like you do for a choke collar, it will be too loose to do any good. You should be able to slide a couple fingers under the collar when properly fitted, but not your whole hand. If it is too big or small, take a link or two out or add a link or two until it fits properly. You don't have to pop the dog on a properly fitted prong collar. You have power steering and you can be very gentle w/ the dog. Just put it on as above and go for a walk99.9% of the time the dog will simply come to his own conclusions if he acts up, you dont have to say a thing, tho I usually say a soft sweet Buzz, asy! and then you can simply smile and praise him for being such a good boy and walking so nicely by your side. Vilma Briggs (Kistner) Mt. Gilead, OH U-UD Mocha Java Slurp, UDX, HIC, TT Ch. Brighteye Expresso Bean, UD, NDD, TT U-CDX Our Little Buddy, UD, NA, TT Thirdtym's A Charm, CD Hob Nob Clouds In My Coffee (puppy Perc) and foster Bernerboys: Brew (Pat Long's dog 2B) and Buzz and foster PRT Daisy Check any e-mail over the Web for free at MailBreeze (http://www.mailbreeze.com)
Re: Harnesses Haltis?
At 12:01 AM 29/07/2003 -0500, you wrote: But, and it is an almighty BUT... Maggie Roxie play off each other: if they see another dog, or if people stand just out of their reach (and say ooh, you've got your hands full there. Arrrgh) Oh, I wish I had a pound for every time someone said to me ooh, you've got your hands full there. I'd be comfortably well off by now!! It's a bind taking my three dogs out at the same time. Boris just loves to dawdle and pee, and sniff, and pee, and pee (you get my drift). The two Belgians like to pretend that they are really two sled dogs and pull like they're in the Itarod. Heaven help me if they see another dog, squirrel, or horrors - a cat! Long story short, I have started walking them on a supposedly no-pull halter. This brand is called Holt and it came from petsmart. There are other makes like the sporn halter, but this is just the one I happened to try. It works, sort of. They are easier to handle, but they still pull a bit. Tanja, not so much as Tyra. The halters aren't too expensive so I reckon it's worth a try. Wendy, Boris and the pointy-pests Boris Beard Ottawa, Canada http://members.rogers.com/bernerboris/bernerbooks.html
RE: Harnesses Haltis?
Hi Liz, You may not like my suggestion but try prong collars on the two loonies:-) Walk them individually when first using them and keep the leash loose, if they bounce off the leash they are going to correct themselves and the one time I needed absolute control my boy felt the collar once and never ever again. They looked like a lot of hardware but its rather like the curb bit on the horse rather than pull on a snaffle bit all the time it acutually is better for their necks than a choke chain. I doubt the Harness would work with a group of dogs, after all these are draft dogs and pulling on harness is natural:-) Halti's or Promise Collars may work but most of my dogs loathe them and despite my patience have thrown hissy fits with them, also if they forget themselves and launch after the demon car they could cause serious neck injury as their head would be jerked around in a twist. Your safety and paramount control comes first:-) Rose T.
Re: Harnesses Haltis?
Hi, My experience is I prefer take a walk with each dog instead of having trobles with 2 or 3 walked in the same time. It is also always necessary for dogs to go for a walk on their own - not always with company of other dogs. They behave differently and need time for themselves. No special collars are needed if you walk only with one. Sometimes I walk with 2 and I know these 2 dogs quite well and we choose the way we go, try to not confront other dogs I know are aggressive or outspoken. I am not a friend of Halti and prong collars are forbiddenand even if they was not forbidden I would not use them. The feeling of the best for the dog is always the most important, more important than my own convenience. Bernerhugs to all, Margareta and Vincent
Re: harnesses, Haltis, prong collars
forwarded in plain text for Vilma: In a message dated 7/29/2003 12:40:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: prong collars are forbiddenand even if they was not forbidden I would not use them. The feeling of the best for the dog is always the most important, more important than my own convenience. Margaret, Have you ever tried using a prong collar on a dog? Have you ever seen a dog learn to wear one? You'd be surprised! Fitted and used proplerly, the dogs really aren't bothered much by it, but they usually quickly stop trying to dislocate mom's shoulder! A member of our Berner club actually had that happen to her. When used properly, the prong collar/pinch collar doesn't hurt them in any way the dog indicates, so I let the dog tell ME what stresses him too much and what does not, I don't decide that for him. The overwhelming majority of dogs don't show any body language or vocalisation that indicates stress whatsoever. Wearing the prong collar does nothing to their attitude 99.9% of the time, most dogs adapt amazingly well and very quickly and do not find it to be aversive at all. Of course every tool is not for every dog, some dogs don't do well w/ head halters, some flip out at citronella bark collars, some do fine w/ choke collars -- all the opposite of what I recommend. You need to match the individual dog and his handler to the tool. That is part of the skill of being a dog trainer. And if you own just one dog, you ARE a dog trainer. :-) All dogs do not need a prong collar or head halter, many do fine on a flat buckle collar, my own adult dogs dont wear them, and if you are lucky enough to have well behaved dogs that's wonderful -- but there are a lot of dogs who would not get to go on walks at all if they were that poorly behaved and pulled that much. I think these dogs would much rather get to go places and do things than be left home! Vilma Briggs (Kistner) Mt. Gilead, OH U-UD Mocha Java Slurp, UDX, HIC, TT Ch. Brighteye Expresso Bean, UD, NDD, TT U-CDX Our Little Buddy, UD, NA, TT Thirdtym's A Charm, CD Hob Nob Clouds In My Coffee (puppy Perc) and foster Bernerboys: Brew (Pat Long's dog 2B) and Buzz and foster PRT: Daisy Check any e-mail over the Web for free at MailBreeze (http://www.mailbreeze.com)
Fw: Re: Harnesses Haltis?--pulling on lead
forwarded in plain text for Vilma: I would not ever walk a dog on a Halti or Gentle Leader head halter at the same time w/ other dogs you are not paying enough attention and he could suddenly run and jerk his neck/head around and seriously hurt his neck. Until he learns to walk nicely on leash and plain buckle collar (which ideally should be taught first to all young dogs), a well fitted pinch collar would be a better choice if the dog pulls badly on the lead, as he cannot easily injure himself seriously on it. I usually advise against choke collars for the same reason, dog could injure himself ...damage to trachea and other structures in the throat is a real concern if not used properly. A limited choke or Martingale collar might work for some dogs, but a pinch collar/prong collar is the fastest and easiest it is power steering and lets me use a light touch, you need very little force -- communicates clearly w/ the dog that he simply cannot be a sled dog right now and dislocate my shoulder! I like it because it lets me be a very GENTLE trainer, even w/ a 100 lb dog. If you are using a head halter, you should have the dog on no more than a 6 foot leash (no flexi leads) and be paying 100% attention to him all the time. It is a great temporary training tool when used properly, but is not w/out risks if used improperly/carelessly. Vilma Briggs (Kistner) Mt. Gilead, OH U-UD Mocha Java Slurp, UDX, HIC, TT Ch. Brighteye Expresso Bean, UD, NDD, TT U-CDX Our Little Buddy, UD, NA, TT Thirdtym's A Charm, CD Hob Nob Clouds In My Coffee (puppy Perc) and foster Bernerboys: Brew (soon going home to Pat Long) and Buzz Check any e-mail over the Web for free at MailBreeze (http://www.mailbreeze.com)
