Head Collar Variation

[RealPitBull]

I haven't tried this yet, but I am very anxious to (I really respect this trainer, so the fact that she endorses the product means a lot to me).

ahimsadogtraining.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=MCH-0096

I like a few things about this that may be big advantages over the Gentle Leader....

1) Looks like it fits more comfortably on the dog.
2) Avoids the possibility of any sort of neck-jerking because it doesn't attach under the chin and can't torque the dog's head to the side.
3) Has an extra piece that can easily be attached to a second collar for safety/backup purposes.

[sugar]

Look interesting. I love the Gentle Leader on Chubs but sometimes he does decide to pull (sees a toy in the street or sees someone playing basketball) and the part the is supposed to be under their chin ends up next to his cheek and I have to readjust. I LOVE that it comes with a backup clip attached to the collar.
I just recently ordered the Gentle Leader harness (seriously, I ordered it this morning, wish I had waited a little more now, lol).

[RealPitBull]

The GL harness is good. The Sensation harness is better. Same concept, different brand and better model IMO. Just an FYI in case you can cancel the order.

[PBLove]

Loving the idea of it! If anyone tries it out I'd love feedback.

[RealPitBull]

I'm probably going to just buy one and let my dog be the guinea pig. I'll post a review here.

I've mainly moved away from head collars, and now use the Sensation harness, but there are still some dogs that really benefit from the head collar concept - it's just I dread going through the conditioning process, teaching the proper usage, etc. This looks like it would be soooo much better.

[PBLove]

We require that dogs use either the gentle leader or easy walk harness (or one of the other brands that is the same idea) in our reactive dog class, and for the owners that decide to go with the gentle leader I feel like the first class is nothing but the dog rolling around trying to get it off. I'm wondering if that time would be decreased since the pressure of the leash wouldn't actually be on the nose. We use the Easy Walk Harness on our pups, never felt like dealing with the rolling on the ground, rubbing on your leg, getting no where walks! I had not heard of the Sensation Harness prior to joining the forum, but I am going to look into that too!

[michele5611]

I am a sensation harness user and I love it!!! Prior to making the switch I was...gasp...a prong collar user!

[RealPitBull]

Erin, I started with the Easy Walk and liked it a lot but I wanted to sample the Sensation because a trainer friend of mine said how happy she was with it and that it was quote sooooo much better than the EW.

Well, I used it once and was sold! Then one of our forum members here, MaryC, made the suggestion of clipping the leash to a buckle or martingale collar AND the harness, and wouldn't ya know, it's like the best invention EVER when you use it like that! (Keeps the harness from moving to the side of the dog and just makes it work better all around.)

Here's the link to the Sensation harness:

www.softouchconcepts.com

[sugar]

Yeah, Chubs has the major "rub my face in your pants" thing when wearing the head collar (if we slow down or stand still).
Only positive about this is when he meet someone new and they pet him and he does his head rubbing thing, I hear the same phrase everytime: "Oh my God, he's so friendly. Aww, look he really likes me!"
I just agree, tell them he is a love bug and try to get him to 'down' for a treat, LOL.

[michele5611]

As Mary mentioned I do clip my dogs leash to both the collar and the harness.

[RealPitBull]

So now my standard equipment for class is a martingale + the Sensation if the dog is a little rambunctious and/or reactive, and then the GL as a last resort for very reactive/aggressive/strong dogs. But now hopefully this K9 Bridle will replace the GL (which I kinda don't want to buy anymore anyway since a shock collar company bought out Premier )

[PBLove]

Very good info! Thanks so much all!!

[valliesong]

Unfortunately I still don't think this would be an option for Aiden with his degenerative disc disease. He was doing wonderfully with the GL. He doesn't do quite as well with the harness.

[lpyrbby]

www.cannyco.us/ It looks like the same or similar design as the Canny Collar, one gaining popularity in the UK. We were actually able to score a donation of one from the company. Kat didn't like it much though because she preferred something that helped keep Jasper's head down in case he would start his excited jumping up at people. This collar offered her no control in that department. Just FYI

[RealPitBull]

BTW, I wrote the K9 Bridle company directly, and she is sending RPB a free sample. They are very anxious to promote this product.

[pitunia]

Okay....I am going to be Debbie Downer. ;D

A trained pit bull will do well on a head harness but a dog with no training is a disaster waiting to happen. I have seen novice owners with pits with ill fitted head harness run loose.....

The double collar suggestion is awesome.

[RealPitBull]

Gale, I SO agree that a badly fitted, improperly used head collar can be very problematic. They can also be amazing and very helpful. I have used them a LOT in the past on Pit Bulls with aggression/reactivity issues with great success. BUT!!!! *Big but*, I alwaysssssss use backup collar/lead, the dog is always properly conditioned to the head collar, and the person taught how to use it the right way.

As much as I hate choke chains and prong collars, I cringe just the same when I see a dog on a badly used head collar. I saw someone recently jerking her dog around on one and I honestly would have felt better if the dog had been wearing a choke!

BTW, I was also able to sucker Canny Collar into sending me a sample, too Heehee! Actually, it's very cool of these companies to do this - I mean, I know they want to promote their products and it's good business practice, but a lot of companies would have just blown me off.

[loverocksalot]

Sensation Harness awesome!!! and they will resize it for 5 bucks when your dog grows or chews it or whatever. I have 2 of em. I do sometimes have to put a second leash or clip the leash to martingale especially when Rocky decides he is putting the brakes on when we are passing the ice cream stand. He likes to tell me where to go and can be impossible to get him moving. I have come up with some great ways to keep the thing from rubbing under his belly area. The Gentle leader easy walk chest harness has rubbed and brused his chest. It has also taken out his front legs so he falls. But still it is better than chokes or other harness. I tried a halti type and hated it because he really did not like it and if he wanted to go off to sniff or pee I felt he was going to hurt himself trying to spin around to get to his pee spot like a maniac. felt like we were going backward in training. He can still pull on the sensation but it takes the power out of the pull which my ole back is thankful for. Last weekend when we went to bear Mt. I put a second leash onto his martingale for a little extra because he was really trying to pull makes it easier to guide him in the right direction soon as he feels a little tension on the collar. Clipping to both works but second leash even more. I want to buy the ellas lead with the two clips on it. great idea. Gots to go order now before I forget again.

[tank]

I just recently ordered a sensation harness for Lucy. It hasn't arrived yet (hopefully today!) I use a halti for Gauge when he starts pulling and won't stop with corrections. I actually just have to put it on him and not even put his leash on it at this point and he will stop pulling at this point, then I take it off after a few minutes. I tried it on Lucy many many times and she still won't tollerate it. After putting it on her one day and having her rolling on her back screaming at the top of her lungs I decided I couln't try it anymore, she is just too sensitive. Hopefully the sensation harness works for her because she walks good on a leash most of the time but those times when she is over excited are killing my back and I need a break once in a while. If the sensation works for her I'll try one for gauge too, because his overall posture changes negatively when he wears the halti.

[loverocksalot]

Yeah then it will work perfectly for her rather YOU. Like I said before it does not stop them from pulling its not a no pull harness just takes the power out of it.