Gentle leader or Dogmatic?

Oddjob

Kyrlyr - Can I ask you something else, as you have tried these harnesses, when you use them with your long line, do you clip it so it goes across the chest so it turns them if they pull or do you clip it to the back ring? Thanks for your help.


Another thing that worries me though on all these type of harnesses is that they all seem to fasten with plastic clips and I have heard of those types of clips breaking on collars and plastic wears after a while.

krlyr

I tend to use other different harnesses when we go out with a longline as one of mine is a Houdini so I use a Ruffwear Webmaster harness with an extra strap to stop him slipping out. If I was to use the Mekuti, I would use the back strap as I'd be worried about hurting the dog pulling them around at that speed/power - maybe see what the Mekuti staff suggest.

I only tend to use longlines in quiet areas though and mine no longer react at the distance we're usually at (because I use wide open spaces), I tend to leave a headcollar on so I can recall and attach a short lead if I spot another dog that might approach us. Wouldn't suggest leaving a headcollar on if you're in undergrowth etc. though as it may get caught up

Oddjob

I thought it would be best just to use the clip on the back. I'm really hoping I can get her so that I can let her loose and not have to have a long line on at all. I don't think she has any nastiness in her.


Those plastic clips worry me though, I've heard of them breaking on collars.

sheramber

I use both rings when I need control but the back ring only when walking in an open area with no potential problems.

When needing close control such as when we stay in a hotel I use the head collar and a short lead to keep the dog close to my side.

Oddjob

I think its the video on the website that puts me off the mekuti, having to work the leads alternately, not sure how that works but I expect I will see. At the moment we are practising, "look at me", brilliant as always in the house, even most of the time out on a walk, until dog appears!! Then its out the window.

rubytuesday

I have a Mekuti and it's very good although I now just use it as an ordinary lead clipped on the back.

elsien

Just be aware with a long lead that if doggins takes off at speed and catches you unawares, a degree of parascending may be involved. Different centre of gravity to a shorter lead so harder to keep your balance.
(This is the voice of experience after landing on my !!!! in the mud with a helpful passerby telling me I'd have a lot more control if I used a shorter lead......)

I tend to find "look at me"s work better around other dogs and cats if Gitdog has a cube of cheese rammed firmly up one nostril. Helps his focus enormously.

Oddjob

Thanks elsien, yes, I know you have far less control with a long lead but there might be occasions it could be useful. I can only try!!


Funny enough, we were practising 'Look at me's" yesterday. Not always successful when a dog passed. It was with treats. I am not a great follower of giving dogs treats everytime as a reward, my friend's dog was trained like that and would do things for treats but not if there was none. She ended up having to retrain her with a toy. I was however using treats yesterday for the 'look at me's" I might try cheese though, good thinking, bit smellier!!
When she's focussed on another dog coming, its hard to switch her attention to anything else.

sheramber

Oddjob wrote: »

Thanks elsien, yes, I know you have far less control with a long lead but there might be occasions it could be useful. I can only try!!


Funny enough, we were practising 'Look at me's" yesterday. Not always successful when a dog passed. It was with treats. I am not a great follower of giving dogs treats everytime as a reward, my friend's dog was trained like that and would do things for treats but not if there was none. She ended up having to retrain her with a toy. I was however using treats yesterday for the 'look at me's" I might try cheese though, good thinking, bit smellier!!
When she's focussed on another dog coming, its hard to switch her attention to anything else.

The treat has to be worth more than the distraction.

Use special tasty treats that she doesnlt get at any other time- cheese, sausage, dried liver, liver/srdine cake. cold meat, garlic sausage. Find what really floats her boat.

Vary the treats so she doesn't know what she will get.

Ideally, get in quick with the 'look at me' before she gets fixated on the other dog.

Keep as much distance as you can. once ahe responds at a distanxe then try slightly closer. If necessary go back to the safe distance.
the more she is sucessful the mpre you will progress sos et her up to succeed.

If necessary turn her round away from the dog to get her attention.

Use a happy voice rather than a commanding voice.

Using a treat as a bribe will result in a dog who only works for a treat.

You need to use it as reward for the work done. So no bribing by waving the treat around. Get the behaviour and then produce the treat.

Keep proofing it more at home and in the garden until it becomes automatic.

Use distractions at home such as throwing a ball or use her dinner. Look at me before you are rewarded by getting your dinner.

Use anything that she likes as a distraction to practice look at me then reward her by allowing her to go to the distraction.

elsien

My trainer said with the look at me's to get them entrenched in the house first. Then slowly build up outside, starting with sitting on the front door step where it's familiar but a few distractions. Then down the road. And so on. It's a very slow process but we did manage to walk past a cat the other day without him going loopy. Dogs are still a work in progress, although he's far more likely to keep focussed on me if I make him sit as they approach, than if we keep walking. Perseverance and having the patience of a saint may also help.