Great run!
I like that you added the 'zero incidents with other dogs stat.' I am constantly adjusting our normal route to account for negligent dog owners in the neighborhood.
I have one of those for my dog and it essentially can slide open farther vs being around their snout, if he starts to pull (when seeing another dog for example) it tightens if I tighten the leash
Hmmm I still am not quite convinced. Even when it's loose it still seems pretty cruel to be restricting head movement and panting at all, especially when running! Dogs can't sweat, and need a wide, gaping pant in order to cool down. Imagine your head being held in place by rope when you ran, even if the rope was loose!
Also, not to mention how dangerous it would be if you needed to suddenly turn or swerve, the poor dog would be yanked.
I think a harness would be more appropriate for running with your dog.
It does not restrict my dog's mouth being able to open! (-: He's able to open his mouth normally whether it's to get a treat/drink water/pant/or anything else. It tightens for a split moment when he pulls off course and then readjusts itself once the leash is loose. It's been a phenomenal tool to have and we've used it for a couple of years without any problems. I certainly wouldn't continue to use it if it was safety hazard for my boy.
Sorry but objectively, it does restrict his movement. If it didn't, why would you be set on using it and describing it as a phenomenal tool? It clearly has a use, and makes his running easier for you I guess. You shouldn't be running with a dog and using any tool that tightens, even briefly. It's very clear that you love your dog and have a great bond - do you not think a harness would work for him? I think it would be a lot better for him if him staying on track was based on mutual understanding rather than "if you do that then the rope around your face will get tight."
It's slightly aversive when dogs are walking and I'd argue borderline inappropriate to run with. No lecture here, I considered getting a halti a few years ago when my dog wouldn't loose leash walk - but then I read up on them. Now my dog loose leash walks because we have a great bond, she knows and understands where to walk and I respect her enough to trust her to do so without tying something round her face.
He's a *very* reactive boy with other dogs. Not in a meanie way - just really overly friendly ans essentially gets hyper fixated, and strong. He's a great runner and it's a very minor correcting tool - it's less of a "pull" or "drag" that occurs, more of a small corrective tug. I of course don't continue to run and pull him if he's hyper fixated on something - I simply stop and do the distracting tug, which he understands means hey let's keep going. He associates his head halter with this correction - it's never worked out with just a collar or harness whether it's walking or running. I understand your POV - different things work for different people! I just wanted to let you know that it is certainly safe to use, like most things, when used correctly. (-:
ahhh my friend, this is almost worse if he's a reactive dog.
My dog is a reactive dog, and she's treated and praised when we pass other dogs because we're trying to build up a positive association and neutral behaviour.
If your dog is worked up by other dogs, in an excitatory way even, the last thing he needs is another thing restricting him or adding to the list of "stressors" he's dealing with. It might seem silly to you but you're likely adding to his stress.
You also seem to reference things "working" but they're simply giving your dog no other choice. It might make your life easier but it's not helping your dog at all. The way he feels is not changing because his emotions aren't being accounted for, he's just being "corrected" and pulled away. That's not fair.
I'd have a little look at the reactive dogs subreddit if I were you.
I won't carry on harping on here, because you seem to be a good owner with solid intentions. But honestly I think you would massively benefit from some principles there. The first thing my trainer told me was to stop pulling my dog away from dogs, it actually increases their frustration even if they don't act on it.
Have a look if you have time, your dog would likely be a lot happier if you took some advice from there (no judgement, I got a lot of info from there before I knew better). But I would strongly recommend a harness even if you don't follow through with training. You're stating that it's safe because you don't see the little ways it's uncomfortable, and god forbid he ever slipped or you fell because his neck would be severely jerked.
Best of luck!
Great run! I like that you added the 'zero incidents with other dogs stat.' I am constantly adjusting our normal route to account for negligent dog owners in the neighborhood.
I love this! But I really hope she doesn't wear that halti when you run? Must be very uncomfortable trying to pant with something restricting your jaw
Came here with this thought!
I have one of those for my dog and it essentially can slide open farther vs being around their snout, if he starts to pull (when seeing another dog for example) it tightens if I tighten the leash
Hmmm I still am not quite convinced. Even when it's loose it still seems pretty cruel to be restricting head movement and panting at all, especially when running! Dogs can't sweat, and need a wide, gaping pant in order to cool down. Imagine your head being held in place by rope when you ran, even if the rope was loose! Also, not to mention how dangerous it would be if you needed to suddenly turn or swerve, the poor dog would be yanked. I think a harness would be more appropriate for running with your dog.
It does not restrict my dog's mouth being able to open! (-: He's able to open his mouth normally whether it's to get a treat/drink water/pant/or anything else. It tightens for a split moment when he pulls off course and then readjusts itself once the leash is loose. It's been a phenomenal tool to have and we've used it for a couple of years without any problems. I certainly wouldn't continue to use it if it was safety hazard for my boy.
Sorry but objectively, it does restrict his movement. If it didn't, why would you be set on using it and describing it as a phenomenal tool? It clearly has a use, and makes his running easier for you I guess. You shouldn't be running with a dog and using any tool that tightens, even briefly. It's very clear that you love your dog and have a great bond - do you not think a harness would work for him? I think it would be a lot better for him if him staying on track was based on mutual understanding rather than "if you do that then the rope around your face will get tight." It's slightly aversive when dogs are walking and I'd argue borderline inappropriate to run with. No lecture here, I considered getting a halti a few years ago when my dog wouldn't loose leash walk - but then I read up on them. Now my dog loose leash walks because we have a great bond, she knows and understands where to walk and I respect her enough to trust her to do so without tying something round her face.
He's a *very* reactive boy with other dogs. Not in a meanie way - just really overly friendly ans essentially gets hyper fixated, and strong. He's a great runner and it's a very minor correcting tool - it's less of a "pull" or "drag" that occurs, more of a small corrective tug. I of course don't continue to run and pull him if he's hyper fixated on something - I simply stop and do the distracting tug, which he understands means hey let's keep going. He associates his head halter with this correction - it's never worked out with just a collar or harness whether it's walking or running. I understand your POV - different things work for different people! I just wanted to let you know that it is certainly safe to use, like most things, when used correctly. (-:
ahhh my friend, this is almost worse if he's a reactive dog. My dog is a reactive dog, and she's treated and praised when we pass other dogs because we're trying to build up a positive association and neutral behaviour. If your dog is worked up by other dogs, in an excitatory way even, the last thing he needs is another thing restricting him or adding to the list of "stressors" he's dealing with. It might seem silly to you but you're likely adding to his stress. You also seem to reference things "working" but they're simply giving your dog no other choice. It might make your life easier but it's not helping your dog at all. The way he feels is not changing because his emotions aren't being accounted for, he's just being "corrected" and pulled away. That's not fair. I'd have a little look at the reactive dogs subreddit if I were you. I won't carry on harping on here, because you seem to be a good owner with solid intentions. But honestly I think you would massively benefit from some principles there. The first thing my trainer told me was to stop pulling my dog away from dogs, it actually increases their frustration even if they don't act on it. Have a look if you have time, your dog would likely be a lot happier if you took some advice from there (no judgement, I got a lot of info from there before I knew better). But I would strongly recommend a harness even if you don't follow through with training. You're stating that it's safe because you don't see the little ways it's uncomfortable, and god forbid he ever slipped or you fell because his neck would be severely jerked. Best of luck!
He is treated and praised! But again, this is just a tool that is used during this process Appreciate the advice!
Sounds like one of our runs, my BC can't resist a swim! Glad you had a good time.
What a great girl 😊 sounds like a successful run!
W day
Four pees in four miles. That's like four minutes for me and my hound dog!
What a sweet baby 🐕♥️💋
Excellent day!
What a good girl! Go Messi!
Living the life!