All dogs love to go walking. They get very excited when the lead is put on and often find it hard to walk at their handler’s pace.
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The natural reaction is to tighten the lead and to pull the dog back into line.
Unfortunately, this has the reverse effect. The collar tightens around the dog’s neck and the dog pulls even more, trying to get away from the irritation.
If your arms ache trying to stop your dog from pulling on the lead, there is a solution.
Instead of a collar, harness or chain, try using a head halter. Many people are under the impression that head halters are muzzles but this is not the case.
A dog wearing a head halter can still bark, breathe, eat, drink and even bite.
The head halter is simply a kind way of controlling the dog’s head, allowing the handler to walk with a loose lead.
If the dog tries to pull away, then the head halter allows the handler to turn the dog back towards them, without hurting them.
Gradually the dog learns that pulling is not productive and will start walking at the pace of the handler, making daily walkies a more pleasurable experience for everyone.
If you would like to see how a head halter works and try one on your dog, come along to NATA Oval, Narooma one Saturday afternoon from 1pm to 1.30pm. The Narooma Dog Training Club equipment officers and instructors will be delighted to help you with sizing and fitting your dog.
You can also watch handlers training their dogs using this method when obedience classes start at 2pm.
Visitors are always welcome. For more information, phone Carol on 0458 953 281.