Comments for The Pawsitive Dog Blog http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:04:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Comment on Head Halters: Gentle Leader vs. Halti by pawsitivedog http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/head-halters-gentle-leader-vs-halti/comment-page-1/#comment-202 pawsitivedog Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:04:27 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=22#comment-202 Hi Mary, I think that before you try the Halti it would help to get a little help with your leash handling skills. One thing I have found is that the more we "man handle" the leash, the more the dogs bulk and balk. So learning how to stay calm and use as little pressure as needed can really help you. I recommend you check www.ttouch.com for a TTouch practitioner near you. They will teach you the proper way to use the head halter, a double-ended leash, and your harness as well as ways to help your Aussie relax. You can also check out www.functionalrewards.com for a method to help him deal with his excitement about seeing other dogs. Hopefully he gets regular opportunities to play with safe dogs off leash. Hi Mary,
I think that before you try the Halti it would help to get a little help with your leash handling skills. One thing I have found is that the more we “man handle” the leash, the more the dogs bulk and balk. So learning how to stay calm and use as little pressure as needed can really help you. I recommend you check http://www.ttouch.com for a TTouch practitioner near you. They will teach you the proper way to use the head halter, a double-ended leash, and your harness as well as ways to help your Aussie relax. You can also check out http://www.functionalrewards.com for a method to help him deal with his excitement about seeing other dogs. Hopefully he gets regular opportunities to play with safe dogs off leash.

]]> Comment on Head Halters: Gentle Leader vs. Halti by Mary http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/head-halters-gentle-leader-vs-halti/comment-page-1/#comment-201 Mary Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:23:54 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=22#comment-201 I have a 4 year old Aussie. We adopted him a year ago from a couple whose life was changing and they could not keep him. I think our Aussie was the Alpha in the household he came from and rarely was taken on walks or controlled. He is a wonderful adoring dog except when we go for walks or when people come to our door. Then he turns into this excited dog that is almost impossible to control. When we are walking he gets so excited when he sees another dog and sounds like he wants to tear them apart. He really just wants to see the dog and play.... If the owner of the other dog is willing to come close he will calm down and sniff and wants to play. He also will bark and jump at bikers and joggers as they go by us. I have been making him stop and sit and stay and I get in front of him when something approaches and tell him to stay but he wiggles around me and it is a chore. It takes all my muscles to hold him and constant verbal cues for him. Every once in a while he will do it beautiful as if to say see I can do this sometimes..... when I want. We adopted him to be a companion for a Siberian Husky who was rescued from a puppy mill when she was 1. We had our Husky for 3 years when we adopted the Aussie and she is doing great but still skittish about any aggression around her. She trust me completely but really gets scared and skittish if I try to correct the Aussie. She and the Aussie have become fast friends and best buddies though so that is good. We tried the Gentle Leader a few months ago for about a month and at times it worked like a charm on the Aussie. But most of the time he was a bucking bronco. He kept managing to slip it off his face in a matter of seconds and so we kept trying to tighten it up so he couldn't get it off. My worry was we had tightened it up too much on his snout and he could not pant enough to stay cool. Once when we were going on our walk he had the leader on and was starting to walk with me and not pay attention to the leader. He did really well for a few blocks. When we crossed a street (thank goodness not a busy one) he did his quick second maneuver to try to pull it off and got his toe nail caught on the muzzle part and it pulled him down in the street trying to get it loose and off. I couldn't help but laugh at his antiques with all his moving around on his side with is paw caught his leash caught around his other feet and he was essentially hog tied. I found myself in tears laughing in the middle of the street with our Aussie's paw stuck while trying to get out of the Gentle leader. It was a priceless moment I wish I had on tape for how Not to use the Gentle leader. Would the Halti work any better for our Aussie? We did have some luck with the Gentle leader and are going to try it again now that it is cooler and I won't be worried he can't pant enough to cool off. Before we tried it again I have been searching online for something that will work better or we won't have to fit it so tight to get it to stay on him. I love the idea of the two ended leash to be used for walking him..... that is a great idea. I use a gentle harness right now for him and think I am going to put a regular harness and try either the Gentle leader or the Halti with it and a two headed leash. I would welcome any other suggestions! I adore both of these dogs and can get our Aussie to behave but it is a chore. I love to take them on long walks but have to be on constant alert to any joggers, bikers or other dogs in the area. I have a 4 year old Aussie. We adopted him a year ago from a couple whose life was changing and they could not keep him. I think our Aussie was the Alpha in the household he came from and rarely was taken on walks or controlled. He is a wonderful adoring dog except when we go for walks or when people come to our door. Then he turns into this excited dog that is almost impossible to control.

When we are walking he gets so excited when he sees another dog and sounds like he wants to tear them apart. He really just wants to see the dog and play…. If the owner of the other dog is willing to come close he will calm down and sniff and wants to play. He also will bark and jump at bikers and joggers as they go by us.

I have been making him stop and sit and stay and I get in front of him when something approaches and tell him to stay but he wiggles around me and it is a chore. It takes all my muscles to hold him and constant verbal cues for him. Every once in a while he will do it beautiful as if to say see I can do this sometimes….. when I want.

We adopted him to be a companion for a Siberian Husky who was rescued from a puppy mill when she was 1. We had our Husky for 3 years when we adopted the Aussie and she is doing great but still skittish about any aggression around her. She trust me completely but really gets scared and skittish if I try to correct the Aussie. She and the Aussie have become fast friends and best buddies though so that is good.

We tried the Gentle Leader a few months ago for about a month and at times it worked like a charm on the Aussie. But most of the time he was a bucking bronco. He kept managing to slip it off his face in a matter of seconds and so we kept trying to tighten it up so he couldn’t get it off. My worry was we had tightened it up too much on his snout and he could not pant enough to stay cool.

Once when we were going on our walk he had the leader on and was starting to walk with me and not pay attention to the leader. He did really well for a few blocks. When we crossed a street (thank goodness not a busy one) he did his quick second maneuver to try to pull it off and got his toe nail caught on the muzzle part and it pulled him down in the street trying to get it loose and off.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his antiques with all his moving around on his side with is paw caught his leash caught around his other feet and he was essentially hog tied. I found myself in tears laughing in the middle of the street with our Aussie’s paw stuck while trying to get out of the Gentle leader. It was a priceless moment I wish I had on tape for how Not to use the Gentle leader.

Would the Halti work any better for our Aussie? We did have some luck with the Gentle leader and are going to try it again now that it is cooler and I won’t be worried he can’t pant enough to cool off. Before we tried it again I have been searching online for something that will work better or we won’t have to fit it so tight to get it to stay on him.

I love the idea of the two ended leash to be used for walking him….. that is a great idea. I use a gentle harness right now for him and think I am going to put a regular harness and try either the Gentle leader or the Halti with it and a two headed leash.

I would welcome any other suggestions! I adore both of these dogs and can get our Aussie to behave but it is a chore. I love to take them on long walks but have to be on constant alert to any joggers, bikers or other dogs in the area.

]]> Comment on Dog Parks – Be Safe and Sane by Anne Kruse http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/dog-parks-be-safe-and-sane/comment-page-1/#comment-182 Anne Kruse Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:36:31 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=43#comment-182 Genuinely insightful thanks, I'm sure your trusty followers may possibly want a whole lot more stories such as this continue the great work. Genuinely insightful thanks, I’m sure your trusty followers may possibly want a whole lot more stories such as this continue the great work.

]]> Comment on Should we get the kids a puppy for Christmas? by Neil http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/kids-christmas-puppy/comment-page-1/#comment-178 Neil Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:30:50 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=68#comment-178 It will be difficult to find skilled persons with this topic, however you seem like you are aware of what you are dealing with! With thanks It will be difficult to find skilled persons with this topic, however you seem like you are aware of what you are dealing with! With thanks

]]> Comment on How to Give Your Dog Pills by rottiluv http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/how-to-give-dog-pills/comment-page-1/#comment-151 rottiluv Mon, 03 Jan 2011 23:58:31 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=34#comment-151 I use the 2 Treat method. Using cheese, wieners, pill pockets, what have you, cut two pieces up. Put the treat into one of the pieces and tease the dog with both pieces (you want it! huh! who wants a treat!!) Then pop the pill piece into their mouth and stick the other piece in front of their nose. Once the pill piece is swallowed, you give the dog the second piece. I've yet to meet a dog that doesn't fall for this, unless they're really sick, in which case it's not too difficult to force a pill. I use the 2 Treat method. Using cheese, wieners, pill pockets, what have you, cut two pieces up. Put the treat into one of the pieces and tease the dog with both pieces (you want it! huh! who wants a treat!!) Then pop the pill piece into their mouth and stick the other piece in front of their nose. Once the pill piece is swallowed, you give the dog the second piece. I’ve yet to meet a dog that doesn’t fall for this, unless they’re really sick, in which case it’s not too difficult to force a pill.

]]> Comment on Head Halters: Gentle Leader vs. Halti by pawsitivedog http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/head-halters-gentle-leader-vs-halti/comment-page-1/#comment-136 pawsitivedog Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:08:58 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=22#comment-136 Hi Jane, Either one will work as well if you learn how to use it properly. I prefer to always use a double-ended lead with a head halter. With one end clipped to the head halter and the other end to a flat collar or harness you will have much more control over your dog with less risk of injury. Remember to keep the leash loose when he is walking nicely. If he lunges, use both leads to catch him, turn slightly, let his feet come back to the ground and gently release the pressure of the leash. If you keep your arms slightly bent but relaxed, you will be prepared to catch him should he lunge. Also work to praise and reward him each time he makes the choice to keep his feet on the ground when he is excited. Hi Jane,
Either one will work as well if you learn how to use it properly. I prefer to always use a double-ended lead with a head halter. With one end clipped to the head halter and the other end to a flat collar or harness you will have much more control over your dog with less risk of injury. Remember to keep the leash loose when he is walking nicely. If he lunges, use both leads to catch him, turn slightly, let his feet come back to the ground and gently release the pressure of the leash. If you keep your arms slightly bent but relaxed, you will be prepared to catch him should he lunge. Also work to praise and reward him each time he makes the choice to keep his feet on the ground when he is excited.

]]> Comment on Head Halters: Gentle Leader vs. Halti by Jane http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/head-halters-gentle-leader-vs-halti/comment-page-1/#comment-135 Jane Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:12:37 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=22#comment-135 Is a halti or gentle leader more effective for a dog that jumps? My dog likes to lunge and jump after people (mainly joggers and bikers) on walks--he doesn't pull much actually. It's not aggressive, just overly friendly. I just worry about neck injury, but I'm also worried about him hurting someone if he manages to jump when my guard is down (that has happened when I was talking to someone and my dog was trying to jump on someone on the other side of me going by. He is in obedience classes, but he forgets his training when he sees someone he wants to jump on. Is a halti or gentle leader more effective for a dog that jumps? My dog likes to lunge and jump after people (mainly joggers and bikers) on walks–he doesn’t pull much actually. It’s not aggressive, just overly friendly. I just worry about neck injury, but I’m also worried about him hurting someone if he manages to jump when my guard is down (that has happened when I was talking to someone and my dog was trying to jump on someone on the other side of me going by. He is in obedience classes, but he forgets his training when he sees someone he wants to jump on.

]]> Comment on Dog Parks – Be Safe and Sane by Shenika Marashio's Pet Portrait http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/dog-parks-be-safe-and-sane/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Shenika Marashio's Pet Portrait Mon, 03 May 2010 02:50:39 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=43#comment-128 Wow, just the information that I've been asking other people about without getting any results! Thanks for the great blog post! I found your post very intriguing, your a great writer. I'll make sure to bookmark your website and come back in the future. Keep up the great work, have a great week! Wow, just the information that I’ve been asking other people about without getting any results! Thanks for the great blog post! I found your post very intriguing, your a great writer. I’ll make sure to bookmark your website and come back in the future. Keep up the great work, have a great week!

]]> Comment on Dog Parks – Be Safe and Sane by Perry Liston http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/dog-parks-be-safe-and-sane/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Perry Liston Mon, 29 Mar 2010 02:35:09 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=43#comment-123 I've been searching for this precise info on this topic for a long time.  Bookmarked and recommended! I’ve been searching for this precise info on this topic for a long time.  Bookmarked and recommended!

]]> Comment on Should we get the kids a puppy for Christmas? by abused pets http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/kids-christmas-puppy/comment-page-1/#comment-122 abused pets Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:13:58 +0000 http://pawsitivedog.com/wordpress/?p=68#comment-122 Hi, I was reading something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your perspective on it is diametrically contradicted to what I read earlier. I am still pondering over the opposite points of view, but I'm leaning to a great extent toward yours. And irrespective, that's what is so great about modern-day democracy and the marketplace of ideas online. Hi, I was reading something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your perspective on it is diametrically contradicted to what I read earlier. I am still pondering over the opposite points of view, but I’m leaning to a great extent toward yours. And irrespective, that’s what is so great about modern-day democracy and the marketplace of ideas online.

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