The Brogue Hog

Head collars have become an increasingly popular dog training tool in the past few years. Two of the most well known brands of head collar on the market are the Gentle Leader and the Halti, but there are many other brands that incorporate the basic head collar concept.

Although a very helpful tool, a head collar should not be used as a replacement for effective dog training. A head collar is most effective when it is used in combination with strong and sensible dog training methods, such as reward training and other forms of positive reinforcement.

What type of head collar is best?

Many dog owners favor the Gentle Leader design, finding it easier to fit that the Halti. The Gentle Leader is also designed to fasten around the dog’s neck, which means that even if the dog is somehow able to wriggle out of the muzzle, it is still wearing a collar. This safety feature is very important, especially during training outside or in novel situations. The Halti, on the other hand, offers better control of the dog, and for this reason it is often favored when working with larger breeds. It is also useful when training an older dog who has developed any aggressive traits.

Training a dog with a head collar has a number of advantages over training with a traditional or training collar. Head collars are often easier to use for beginning dog trainers than are conventional training collars. Head collars are also quite effective at preventing dogs from pulling, or controlling and retraining dogs that tend to pull.

Head collars can also be quite effective at controlling dogs in difficult situations, such as controlling a dog that wants to be with other dogs. Most owners know of some situations in which their dogs are difficult to control, and head collars can be very useful in volatile situations.

Head collars are excellent for gaining control of dogs that are very strong, or for working with a dog in an area that contains a great many distractions. Head collars are great for when your dog is on an outing, or in an area where there will be other dogs and other distractions.

Are there any disadvantages in using head collars?

Well, yes, head collars do have some distinct disadvantages as well. Head collars tend to encourage a dog’s behavior to be dependent on the equipment being used at the time. Dogs quickly learn the difference between their regular collar and the head collar, and adjust their behavior accordingly, so you may find yourself having to use the head collar as a matter of course.

If a dog is not accustomed to wearing a head collar, there may be such a dislike of wearing it that your dog may paw at it, try to rub it off or pull excessively. If your dog exhibits this behavior, the best strategy is to keep your dog moving until it learns to accept the collar.

When you’re walking your dog with a head collar, you may find that many people think that a head collar is a muzzle, and react to the dog with some trepidation. While this is not necessarily a disadvantage of the head collar, many dog owners do find it troublesome.

So training with a head collar is much like training with a training collar or any other equipment. While the head collar can be an important and useful tool, it is important to fit it properly, use it appropriately, and to combine its use with solid training methods. The eventual goal of dog training with a head collar should be to have the dog behave as well with a regular collar as it does with the specialized head collar. And because some dogs behave differently when in the head collar and a regular collar, this goal may take considerable work to achieve!

Brigitte Smith runs two websites dedicated to dog training, dog care and dog health:

Grab your free special report here: Healthy Happy Dogs or here: Dog Training and Wellness

When expecting a new puppy addition to the family you want nothing but the best. You check out the best day-care facilities, kindergarten and schooling.

So, why should it be any different when the new addition is a puppy? Hey, if it’s good enough for stars like Brittany and Paris, who are we to question this new trend in spoiling our pets.

Before buying your new puppy it is advisable to do some research and find out all you can about on the background, general behavior and sociability of the breed you have chosen. If you have young children, would a puppy be suitable? Stop and consider the future. When the puppy grows into a dog, will it still be as much fun? Will it outgrow your home?

It’s all too easy to overlook the fact that what is now a cute little puppy will grow into a dog that without proper training may become unruly and dangerous. Remember all dogs are born wild and need training. Once they know who is the leader… you and not them… they will settle into their new life quite happily.

When you bring your puppy home make sure their first night away from mom isn’t to stressful. Give your puppy a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in. A fleece blanket would be a good idea and maybe a small teddy bear or other type of soft toy to cuddle up too. This will help relax your puppy and stop it feeling alone.

The first 12-16 weeks of a puppy’s life are all important. This is the time of intense learning and getting the training right now, will reward you with a well-trained obedient dog.

One thing to remember is it won’t happen in a day. Done with regularity, persistence and a lot of patience over the coming weeks, you and your dog will soon have a great understanding and be the best of friends for many years to come.

Give your puppy time to settle into his new home (and have the necessary injections) then why not arrange a party. Everyone enjoys a party and what better way to introduce your puppy to other dogs and people. Invite your friends, and their dogs, to come and say “Hello”.

Now, lets get round to organizing the Puppy Shower. This isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Dogs are natural party animals and will certainly enjoy the day. The party is more to get the puppy used to other dogs and people so it’s no great shake to organize. Maybe decorate the party room with blue or pink balloons and streamers. Put up a “birthday” banner with pictures of your puppy on it. This will get the puppy used to strange things being around.

Make sure there are enough soft toys around for the doggie guest to play with, as this is a great way to teach your new puppy about sharing things. Some of the bigger doggie guests may be a bit to boisterous for the puppy, so watch carefully but don’t take him away from the fun, as he must learn to interact with others. They have to learn not be afraid or intimidated by other dogs.

Look after your new puppy well and you will have the best friend anyone could ever wish for.

Shirley Purdy is the creator of a popular dog birthday party website. Find a wealth of dog party themes, recipes, games, treats and our party planner at www.dog-birthday-parties.com

Training with treats and other food based rewards is a great way to motivate your dog and speed the training process along. Most dogs are highly motivated by food rewards, and treat training using this kind of positive reinforcement is used to train all sorts of animals, including tigers, lions, elephants and even house cats.

Before you begin a treat based training session, however, it is a good idea to test the dog to make sure that food will motivate him through the session. Begin around the dog’s regular meal time by taking a piece of its food and waving it in front of the dog’s nose.

If the dog shows an enthusiasm for the food, now is a great time to start the training. If the dog shows little interest, or none at all, it may be best to put off the training until another time. Don’t be afraid to delay the start of meal time in order to pique the dog’s interest in training. The advantages of proper training will far outweigh any delay in feeding.

It is generally best to get the dog used to regular feedings, instead of leaving food out all the time. Not only does free feeding encourage the dog to overeat and increase the chances of obesity, but a free fed dog may never be fully motivated in reward based training.

The come when called command
Once your dog has shown interest in the food offered to it, it is time to begin the training. Since you already got your dog’s undivided attention by showing it food, now is a great time to start. Give the dog a few pieces of food right away, then back up a few steps. While holding the food in your hand, so “come here”. When the dog comes to you, praise him effusively and give him a few pieces of food.

After the dog is coming to you easily, add a sit command and hold the collar before you give the food. After the sit command is mastered, other commands, and even some tricks, can be added. Food based positive reinforcement training is the best way to teach a variety of important behaviors.

One good exercise is the sit, stay, come when called exercise. This exercise can begin with the owner walking the dog, then stopping and asking the dog to sit. After the dog is sitting quietly, the owner backs away and asks the dog to stay. Ideally the dog should continue to stay until called by the owner, even if the leash is dropped.

At the end of the exercise, the owner calls the dog. When the dog comes to the owner, it receives food and praise from the owner. This exercise should be repeated several times, until the dog is reliably coming when called.

It is important to keep the training sessions short, especially in the beginning, to keep the dog from becoming bored, and from consuming its entire meal in the form of treats. After the dog has been responding regularly, the treats and food rewards can be slowly reduced. It is important to still provide these food rewards, but it may no longer be necessary to provide as many.

After awhile, as well, it will not be necessary to give the dog treats every single time he responds as requested. In general, it should only be necessary for the dog to receive a food treat one out of every five times he comes on demand. The other four successes can be rewarded with praise and scratches.

Once the dog understand the basics of the “come here” exercise, the basic exercise can be expanded, and many games can be created. These type of games can be great fun for owner and dog alike, as well as a great learning experience. Some off leash work can be introduced as well, but it is always best to start with the dog in a safe environment, such as a fenced back yard.

For variety, you can try taking the dog to other safe environments, such as a friend’s house, a neighbor’s fenced yard or a local dog park. Try turning the dog loose in these safe places, and practice the come when called exercise. Always praise the dog extensively, scratch him behind the ears and tell him what a good dog he is. The goal should be to make coming to the owner a more pleasant experience than whatever the dog was doing before he was called.

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