Feel bad. Figure-of-8.

[edzbird]

I feel I've reached an impasse with Meg(an) Sparkle pulling on the lead & lunging. I decided to try a figure-of-8 lead. I bought a soft webbing one. It doesn't ride up into her eyes. I walked her around the house, then the garden, she did not protest & rub at it. I walked her at her weekend on it, she barely pulled. She wore it at training tonight and was so manageable. She hasn't protested at all, making me think she's worn one before.

I feel wretched for using it, but I feel we are both enjoying walking more without the constant struggle.

 

[Lab_adore]

We do too @edzbird (he has a nose halter thingy) but it was becoming dangerous with Maxx lunging and leaping. We don't use it all the time, just when we know his little head is going to be blown but when we do it makes the most incredible difference. He doesn't seem to hate it - just occasionally throws himself on the ground and paws at it and we know then it's time to take it off.

Your last comment about feeling wretched but everyone is enjoying walking and feeling safer - same here 100%

 

[Rosie]

If she doesn't mind it, and if it lets you both enjoy walks without stress and struggle, why on earth do you feel bad about it? You love your sparkly girl and you'll only use it when you need to....give yourself a break, you are doing fine!!

 

[Naya]

Dont feel bad. It’s so difficult when we try so many things that don’t work for anyone. When Harley was about 1 year old, I had to go back to basics and ended up using a head collar to start our walks. We started up and down our tiny cul de sac, then moved to the harness once she could do this reliably, then eventually onto the flat collar. We done this for every new bit of our walk until she could walk to the shops and back on a flat collar. It’s the only way I could manage walks as they were so miserable and hurt me constantly. I know its not a positive method, but I used it as an interim tool to get us to where we needed to be. I wasn’t happy at the time, but I don’t think I would enjoy our walks now if I hadn’t.

 

[HAH]

Don’t feel bad @edzbird (although easy to say ) - as @Rosie says, you love your Ms Sparkle and if you need to use it to get the heat out of the situation and give yourselves time for longer term solutions then why not. You’re doing your best for her xx

 

[SwampDonkey]

Use it don't feel bad it might help you move forward with your walks easier. If she's happy and it stops you getting injured it's the thing to do.

 

[MrChew]

If she is okay with it and it keeps everyone safe then you really don't need to feel bad. We (and our dogs) aren't perfect and you're doing the best you can.

 

[Cath]

You love her and wouldn't do anything to hurt her, so don't feel bad. Like everyone said it may help you both to move on in your walks

 

[Jacqui-S]

Safety trumps all.
Not averse to a bit of figure-8-ing in high pressure areas.

 

[Oberon]

Obi wears one (or a similar thing) for his daycare walks. I don't love them but he handles it and has become used to it. In every other respect the daycare is amazing and I consider that the benefits for all make it worthwhile.

 

[Joy]

My thoughts are that it's a management tool in situations where it would be dangerous otherwise (in the same way that we might pull a child sharply back from stepping into the road - lesser of the evils). However I would suggest you rethink using it at your training class - because while Meg is wearing it you are not training. The training class should be able to give you the space Meg needs to work on her focus on you and being able to follow your cues. If the training class can't offer this (and I know some halls are too small for the number of dogs) then maybe think again about whether this is a useful place to take Meg and whether you'd be better perhaps doing an on-line training course or just using the knowledge you already have to train her yourself.

 

[Loraseal]

Please don't feel bad. See it as stepping stone to the next phase of Miss Sparkle's training. Nobody's dog is a robot and you are working really hard at Miss Sparkle's training. If it makes you feel more safer and relaxed on the walks, then it is a no brainer. Megan will pick up on this too.
I do understand your feelings though.

 

[Beanwood]

I don't like head collars, thereagain, I don't like tethering my dogs fullstop, so that means leads, slip leads and harnesses included. I try and offer my dogs as much freedom and choice as possible. It also means my choice of walks can be a bit limited, managing both Benson and Casper in some situations would be impossible - actually I wouldn't even attempt it!If they are pulling/frustrated to that extent then their emotional balance is out of kilter.

My thoughts are that it's a management tool in situations where it would be dangerous otherwise (in the same way that we might pull a child sharply back from stepping into the road

Totally agree with @Joy sometimes we just have to balance the odds. Absolutely though wouldn't use a head collar in a training scenario.

My rehab vet has recommended a head collar for Otter - now this is purely for rehab purposes. The spine follows the head, so we are supposed to use a head collar for our slow walking and sensory pathway work. I actually don't use the head collar because we do this in a very, very low distraction enviroment add a bit of excitement to the mix and it just wouldn't work.

 

[M.F.]

The thing with a head halter is that if your dog suddenly pulls against it and you instinctively pull back, there’s a lot of force going into her neck, and this can cause injury. I far prefer the front-fastening harness, which can also provide you with control. It does hobble the front legs somewhat, and all devices can cause injury, but I feel the neck is such a delicate structure to be protected. Sorry, I know this is not in support of your choice, and it’s clear you adore Megan and are trying to find the best way forward. It’s just that I’ve had a bad experience with the head halter—I’m sure it caused limping in Snowie when he was a puppy cos he jerked against it and I didn’t know better at the time.