I'm considering a head collar for my 18mnth old Leo.
She walks well to heal and is pretty good, behaviour wise, she does still have a habit of trying to occasionally take off after interesting things when on lead. Usually I spot these things before her so I'm able to get and keep her attention, but there has recently been a couple of occasions when she's taken me by surprise and I've struggled to hold her.
I've never had to resort to a head collar with any dog before, but then I've never owned a giant breed before!

I've looked into the various types and am considering the Dogmatic, but I'm worried that if she were to lunge whilst wearing it she'd injure her neck with the force she take off at!
I don't want this to be a replacement for training, but a safety measure. However I'm wondering if it would eventually put her off lunging  even when it wasn't being worn (if that makes sense)

I have used a dogmatic with my Berns and found them to be ideal. Just make sure you have the lead attached to both the dogmatic and the collar (2 leads maybe or I used one with a clip either end) She will not be able to get any speed behind the lunge if she is walking by your side but it is not advisable to have her on a long lead with a headcollar as then yes she could hurt herself. If you walk he on a long lead then you really need a harness.
I found with my pulling bern that 3-4 weeks in a dogmatic and she never pulled again.
Good luck
Aileen

There are various designs of headcollars/halters on the market.  All of which have their pros and cons and not all will suit all dogs, pockets or handlers.

These can be useful for those dogs that have never been taught to walk on a collar and lead correctly or for those few dogs that have neck/trachea problems. They can have a calming effect on some dogs but they do not actually teach them to walk without pulling; however they mean that some dogs can be controlled with minimal strength.  Correct fitting is required to prevent eye irritation or fur loss and to prevent stress.  Jerks can result in neck injury so great care should be taken if used in conjunction with extending leads or long lines (not recommended). They can be made from leather, webbing or synthetic leather. They should always be removed when free running.  The should be considered a management tool.

There is nothing wroing with using them and there are many designs as not all suit all dogs/handlers.

I think they are very useful pieces of equipment and, like certain bits on very strong horses, enable strong dogs to be managed very well by smaller owners. Whether it will lead to permanent loss of lunging very much depends on a) the dog and b) training.

My favourite model is the first as it is less bulky and intrusive and heavy than many, but if you have a Leo this will probably not be an issue!

Black Dog Head Halter

http://www.agilitywarehouse.com/product_detail.cfm?id=960

The Canny Collar

http://www.cannyco.co.uk/index.php

The Dogalter

http://www.kumfi.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=1&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26

The DogMatic

http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/

Gentle Controller

http://www.gencon-allin1.co.uk/

The Gentle Leader

http://canineconcepts.co.uk/item--The-Gentle-Leader--gentlelead

The Halti

http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/halti.php

The K9 Bridle

http://k9bridle.com/

The Newtrix Easy Way

http://www.dogpartnership.co.uk/equipment.htm

Thanks for the responses.
I never walk her on a long lead, she's either on a very short lead or loose. Like I said pulling is not an issue really, just me being taken by surprise on a couple of occasions now she has more weight behind her.

I'd want to be able to attach the lead to the headcollar and her normal (half check) collar. Would I be able to just clip them both into the lead clip? Or would I need a double ended lead?

Julie,
I have a dogmatic here if you'd like to try it?
If it fits her you can borrow it and see how you get on, it's the leather one and brilliant!!
I can pop it round to you anytime x

Sue, that would be great. I'd imagine your boys are a similarish size to her.
Out of interest, what size is yours? The website said a 6 for a Leo, but the same for a Dane! I didn't know whether they were adjustable.

D'you fancy a walk one morning?

I have no idea what size it is a friend with Newfs gave it to me when her boy grew out of it.
A walk would be good, can do either today or tomorrow?

Sue, don't know if you got my message yesterday, but I could meet for a walk this morning 9.30ish or after 1pm if that's any good for you?
I seem to have lost your number...

Sorry yes was trying to organise a few things.. will PM you..

This one, the 'Dajan Halter' http://www.dajan.co.uk/Halters.html is very cheap (around £5), and works well on my breed (I especially like that there are no buckles just a sliding adjuster, and it is just slipped over the head) I suggest ringing them as their on-line ordering system was not working a while back.

http://www.dajan.co.uk
David and Janet Furneaux
01934 732467

If it doesn't suit it isn't a big outlay compared to the price of some others.  As said I find them a great management tool enabling me to walk all 6 of my dogs on lead at a time.

Their website seems to working fine at the moment. Have just ordered one and paid via paypal only took a couple of minutes.

I think the issue was that they were unaware the orders had been placed so I would phone just to make sure.

Oh O.k thanks.

Sue...I took her out with your headcollar on this morning and had close encounters with at least 4 cats in 10mins!! It worked a treat and I was able to get her attention back, once she realised she couldn't get anywhere.

I phoned Dogmatic for thier advice re sizing and they recommended trying a 3L. However after studing yours a bit closer, I found a small embossed 4 on the end of the neck strap, so I think I'll go for that size as it doesn't seem to ride up at all. Bloody expensive £34 with postage for the leather, but I'm so impressed, I think it's worth it.

>Bloody expensive £34 with postage for the leather

Ouch!! But yes they are very good and pleased that you and your girl are getting on well with it. She seemed pretty settled with it on the walk yesterday.. Boy were the boys tired after that ;-) She wore them out, even the Lab!!! lol

Do you find the leather one better as I have a webb one and where he pulls it flattens the hair down and he hates it.

expensive £34 with postage for the leather, but I'm so impressed, I think it's worth it. .Reply ToDo Report

But will last a lifetime, if you take care of it.

Buy some  "saddle soap Spray"   

http://www.horsebitsdorset.co.uk/products/Belvoir-tack-cleaner-2.html

Make sure you clean and condition the leather every few weeks /mths, and or when it gets wet.

BTW, my Boxers have a size 3L , for comparison sake.

You can also get  a safety strap , that will attach the headcollar to the  normal collar.

Saddle soap isn;t a conditioner, it just helps clean the leather.  The Carr Day & Martin Belvoir range is ok, but the sprays aren't very highly rated.  A natural tallow conditioner will care for your leather far better.