Has anyone ever used a Martingale Dog Collar and if so do they assist with lead pulling issues? Thanks Helen
Re: Martingale Collar Hello Helen, I have not used the Martingale collar but have used the dogmatic head collar which looks to be the same type of restraint. My experience is as follows. Firstly it doesn't teach the dog anything. With my male dog (a persistant puller around wildlife) it reduces the strength of his pulling but does not stop it when walking across moors with the scent of sheep etc. My female is more of a natural on her lead so she does not need it much at all and when I do use it she is very subdued. I only use it as a short term solution when I am on a long walk and pass through fields of livestock. It is a temporary measure whilst I am refining heelwork with proofing and duration. It helps in situations where your dog is excited and therefore likely to pull, and because he is not on a collar and lead he does not get away with pulling on his lead so it doesn't undo all your good work with healing or confuse the dog When I stop walking he constantly rubs his head against my leg to try and get it off poor lad. Others may have had different experiences but for me it doesn't work. Maybe for a more placid dog it might but mine have a high prey drive, so probably won't cure Charlie but may give you a rest from strong pulling. I bought mine knowing that they don't teach the dog anything but the reality is that there are times when dog has to be on a lead and if you are out on a walk with others you cannot expect everone to hang around whilst you constantly stop to correct your dog. It might bridge the gap for you and enable you to walk with your other dog and rest of the family on some days and on others keep up the heelwork. I understand it is tiring but keep going Charlie is improving
Re: Martingale Collar Hi Sharon, thank you for sharing your experiences. I have used a halti, cannie collar, etc. etc. but like you say he just stops all the time rubbing against me to get it off. Have thought about a harness (the Happy at Heel looks good) and a friend of mine uses it on her Doberman as she just couldn't walk him at all before and now no problem. Just feel like it's a cop out whatever I do, but after 15 months of trying to stop him pulling it's tough, although he is much, much better now and not crawling on his tummy like he used to do and has walks where he is a complete star. Helen x
Re: Martingale Collar Hello Helen, Don't feel it's a cop out, I sympathise as it is hard going training a dog not to pull. As you say you have come a long way just keep going. A harness and a line woukd be good too as again it is not a bad association with a lead. Keep up the good work and don't feel bad about giving yourself a break you need it at times, and need to be able to walk together as a family. I found the halti pulled up in his eyes so the dogmatic is better as it stays put. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Re: Martingale Collar Helen, just wanted to say that I dont think you should feel bad , it isnt a cop out , Charlie has improved so much , anything that helps cant be a bad thing . Pulling on lead is something Sam does , not every time but always on the way to an off lead walk, never ever on the way home when he has had his fun , so I guess its just excitement . I used a Gentle Leader head collar, he hated it but it saved my sanity , he began to walk much more nicely ( most of the time !)until I was able to stop using the head collar and now just use a rope type slip lead x
Re: Martingale Collar Kate thank you, I have got my harness back out for tomorrow. I think you are right and like Sam Charlie pulls on and off on the way but once he has had his off lead in the paddock he walks back beautifully. So I will use the harness out and the lead back just to help him and hopefully he will grow up and not need it when he has learnt it's much nicer for us all if he doesn't pull Helen x
