Martingale collar - might that be the answer?

[Sandy]

It has been suggested to me that the Martingale collar might be the answering to Toby's pulling. The collar with the chain was the one I was told would be most effective. We really only need to stop Toby from pulling when we are not in our neighbourhood.....at classes (he loves to go), at the vet's (always nice to visit with people), at the park (it's just so exciting), etc. What are your thoughts on this? :)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I solved that problem (most of the time) by working with the a head gentle lead. We had a real issue with her trying to walk me when she saw someone who just happened to look at her. She thought that was an invitation to go and play. The gentle lead allowed me effectively to turn and go the opposite direction and have her follow without choking her. It didn't take long for Samantha to get the hint so I started working with a regular collar and would go back to the gentle lead if we needed a little refresher.
I now use a martingale. It is used for a quick snap and release for a correction, I don't think it will help with the pulling. If a dog wants to pull, they just wind up choking themselves. It doesn't teach not to pull.
In my opinion the better choice would be a gentle lead.
I believe a lot of it is maturity and of course, consistency.
Good Luck with whatever your decision.

[Adina P]

I agree that it, on it's own, is pretty useless for pulling except for very sensitive dogs. It doesn't provide enough of a correction to really stop pulling and you will still need to TRAIN nice leash manners. Might as well use a Gentle Leader for control while working on obedience to a heel command, etc.

[Mommy2Max]

Oddly enough - Max graduated from puppy kindergarten Friday evening but wasn't doing so well with heeling. Our trainer just put the martingale/chain on him and it worked very well for him. He had been using the easy walk harness which helped tremendously on it's own. My trainer didn't like the gentle leader because she felt it torqued the dog's head too much. That being said, I have never used it so, I can't personally comment. However, many use it and love it.

When we do heel work, I'll continue with the martingale. Otherwise, I'll stick with the easy walk harness.

FYI - Our trainer called the martingale "the big gun." She only resorts to it's use when all else fails. I think she said she has only used a prong collar once or twice for limited amounts of time. Again, that is her opinion only.

~Danielle

[Stella]

I read that if you have a dog that likes to leap off in a different direction very quickly (ahem, Hartley!!!) then the Gentle Leader/ Halti isn't good for them because they charge off one way, you pull the other, and the dogs head ends up going in a different direction to his body - not good!! If it is just to stop him pulling, then it might be ok, I have seen our dog trainer recommend the Gentle Leader to a couple of people. But, in class we all only ever use a collar and leash. A lot of it I think depends on the techniques your trainer is teaching you, as this will influence what kind of collar, or head halter you use successfully. On a side note, did see Toby doing some really good heeling this morning in the park with your husband!!

[Sandy]

You know, I think I'd like to try D'Arcy's training after we finish at McCann's. You are certainly having success there - it's closer, and I feel like I would like her techniques. Not that McCann's aren't good, or successful, but I'm not excited that they keep wanting me to use the Gentle Leader instead of working through the pulling with me.

Toby IS doing better. We are finding quite a bit of improvement with his walking. It would be nice if success was instant, but we'll keep plugging away. :)

[Ginny Nightingale]

Don't forget the gentle leader harness! it might be a good compromise and works great for my "puller". She stays right next to me when I use that and it doesn't torque her head, it squeezes her body.