I've just received two Black Dog Infina8 headcollars for my two Bullmastiffs. This is after trying in the past , canny collar (noseband kept coming off), Dogmatic (too heavy and restrictive round wrinkly chops) gentle leader (screwed up face). Anyway I keep going back to just their fleece lined harnesses because I want them to be comfortable!! BUT I struggle to hold them. I know I'm my own worst enemy because as soon as they show a dislike with any headcollar I won't use it. I have fitted the Infina8 on them today and they do fit well, don't seem to go near their eyes and are light and soft. But of course they don't like them!! Please can anyone give me advice to help get them used to them (have given them treats whilst there on) as I know with the Dogmatic my bitch decided if she lay down on the pavement and rolled on her back then I could'nt move her her! Of course because the pair of them are like tweedle dee and tweedle dum the male had to copy! I really don't want to have more wasted things in my cupboard or send them back I want to be strong and try and stick with these! Any advice much appreciated.

Thank you

Catherine and her two 'clowns' disguised as Bullmastiffs! x

How you go about getting your dogs used to them, depends on how much they don't like them (if they really don't like them, you can't start off putting them on the dog).

If you can place the headcollar over the nose without any protest or strong dislike then you can start by just putting it on the nose (do not do it up, just hang it over the nose loosly), giving a treat then removing it.
Repeat many times, (use small training bursts, don't keep on for ages in one go). As the dog begins to feel more comfortable, then you can gradually increase the time the headcollar stays over the nose.
Then build up to fastening the headcollar before treating & removing.
Then build up to perhaps wearing the headcollar in short bursts around the house garden - maybe even prior to or during meal times for added positive association.

Be guided by your dog, don't give them a treat if they are really uncomfortable but they should not be uncomfotable atall if you work at thier pace :) Same as with all training- set them up for success:)

When I got Busters headcollar, I never even risked putting it on him right away, I kept it on the kitchen side for a couple of days and would randomly fiddle with it for him to get used to the sight of it before attempting to get him used to feeling it on him. As he has always been highly food motivated, I used meal times to get him him used to it with a few more training sessions spotted throughout the day(the time when he's waiting for his kibble to soak before I put it down for him are the times I get the most compliance and willingness to try things from him :) ). It was 1 week before he went for a walk with it on, but by then he completely accepted it :)

ETA just found an on-line help guide for this that words it so much better than I do - here it is.

There is a great video by Jean Donaldson on this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wakterNyUg

None of mine like their head-collars, but it's tough, they want walks, I want to keep my shoulders from hurting, (they pull at times, such as when they spot a cat or fox before I do, or being townies get excited by livestock in the country) so they wear the 'power steering'.

its all about taking the time and effort to introduce them properly.  All of my three love their headcollars and will put their noses in willingly to have them on because as far as they are concerned headcollars means walks

sounds stupid but do you you try and walk both together , i would take out each one out on the headcollar , which ever one you use , if they object just stand until they have had their "paddy" be it sticking their head in a hedge or rolling on their back, repititon is the key belive me i know when you have 13 stone that says "i don't like this " i have stood for 15 mins while dog resists , eventually they do get used to it .