I've decided that I would like to walk my dogs on Head Collars.  I have trained them not to pull and for the most part they don't but they are Springer/Beagle crossbreeds and can be excitable at times and I find them hard to control if they decide to "lung" at some food on the floor or a little too enthusiastic to follow a scent.  Also one of them doesn't like other dogs and I've been told that head collars have a calming effect.

My question is, before I spend my money, which one is best?  The Halti, the Gentle Leader or the Dogmatic.  The Dogmatic looks great but I wouldn't know which one to get coz they seem to have 3 different types to choose from, Leather, Synthetic Leather or Cushioned Webbing, I don't like too much choice coz I'm too indecisive lol

Thanks

I've seen lots of different opinions on here and I think maybe the type of head collar depends on the type of dog you have.

I have a border terrier and I use a halti on him.  He is a very strong stubborn dog despite his size and off the halti he has pulled me over a couple of times.  On the halti he is a different dog.  He doesn't like wearing it but he doesn't pull as he obviously hates the sensation on his head.  I now use it as a training aid but it transforms his behaviour and it wasn't expensive.  I haven't tried any of the others as I felt this one was working for me.  I'm sure others will recommend others :)

CG

I have used a halti on my Dobe but this rode up into his eyes.  I bought a dogmatic and have not looked back.  He now only has to wear it for the start of his walks and then I take it off.  I bought the size suggested for him which was too big
and they happily exchanged it for the next size.

Sue

Sue, does the Dogmatic tighten up under the chin like the Halti does when the dogs tries to pull or lung or is it a different technique.  I can't tell by looking at the pictures on their website.  Thanks

Yes it does tighten under the chin but because of the design doesn't ride up under the eyes

Sue

Hi,

Ive just got the dogmatic leather halti for my siberian husky - who as you can imagine pulls alot! So far it is working really well. Ive only had it a few days but it has been brilliant. It doesnt ride up under the eyes at all. Its hard to describe but it doesnt pull or twist the dogs head but just turns it without pulling it up or down. Its got a strap that goes under the muzzle - then another loop under this where the ring is which the lead attaches to. The ring isnt fixed to one place so it can slide along the loop. It doesnt come down to a point like most haltis but stays in a stiff loop shape. It looks more like a horses bridle than a dogs halti! It really has stopped him pulling and lunging and it is very good quality. If it keeps working as well as it has been - i will be very impressed! Hope that has helped.

Thanks so much for all your help everyone.  Looks like it's the Dogmatic then :)  I'll order two tomorrow.

I have tried a halti, gentle leader and now use the dogmatic.
I use it on a dalmatian and found the other two rode up into his eyes.

I got a Dogalter for my Yankee but it rode up into his eyes, and the non-adjustable nose band was too tight. I've now got a Halti which works perfectly, though he doesn't like it! :-)

Hi
I,ve got two german shepherds I walk together the nine year old is fine but the two year old is very strong and if another dog approaches I have a tussle with her as she tends to pull towards them.
I always walk the young one on a dogmatic as I feel absoluteley in control while she is wearing it.
I use a training lead with one trigger hook on her collar and one trigger hook on the dogmatic and just use the collar until I meet any other dogs or  when we are passing where all the neighbourhood cats live.
I broke a wrist four months ago and now find the dogmatic invaluable even to the point where I keep a spare one in case I lose the other in the fields whilst my two are having a run of lead.
Using a halti on my dog was as effective as a peice of knitting wool and all it did was ride into her eyes also the dogmatic has a good old fashioned buckle fastening which I find much more trustworthy than a snap fastener.
Do give it a try Im sure you,ll be delighted with it ,they have just launched a new range in different coluours and webbing designes as well.
hope this helps
Shaz

Has anyone used a figure of eight collar & if so do they work?

Hi
Do you mean like a rope halter  I,ve seen one on  a german shepherd but I,ve also seen the dog back out of it . I wouldn,t like to trust my girl with one  especially with all the cats around where we live.

No, it's a leather collar that goes around the muzzle , fastens behind the ears & you link it to the ordinary collar by the lead, if you get what I mean.

Hi
I,ve not seen that one but I know you can get an extension part that links a dogs collar to a halti which sounds quite similar Im sticking with the dogmatic.
Off out in the rain now for a walk
see you all later
Shaz

Yes, i have two, one nylon one, and a leather one i made myself...

Like all halters/headcollars dogs can generally if allowed to, remove the nose loop, however ilike the figure 8 a lot as most dogs i have put it on have objected a lot less to it than other headcollars, and also IF they pull the noseloop off, they are still attatched to a lead as the loop arond the neck acts like a slip lead.

Em

Thanks Em. Trainer has suggested it but I have never seen one. I was worried in case it was cruel at all.

Hi,

I got a dogmatic in the post this morning and am so pleased with it.  I just need that extra bit of control in situations where she gets a bit over excited whilst training, I have tried her on the halti and gentle leader before, both which worked but ended up riding into her eyes.  The dogmatic doesn't do this at all.  I'm thrilled with it, such a good design.

Karen

Hi Karen,

Which material did you buy?  I looked on their site and they now have synthetic leather and a webbing one and I don't know which to get. I'm not sure about the real leather one as it said that they require special care with saddle soap to keep them supple etc. and I'm just a bit concerned that the leather might split if I don't make a good job of caring for it.

If you have dog with a thin short coat your really need to make the leather one supple before using it, as it rubbed the fur off my freinds dobes nose.

Hi Ilovemuts,

I got the new webbing one, my girl is a dobe and I was worried about the leather or synthetic leather ones rubbing her face.  Also I didn't think she'd like the weight of the leather one on her face. I ordered the size two as that's the size halti she was wearing and it fits her brilliantly with a load of room for her to grow as she's only 7 and a half months.  They have a guide for sizes and are happy to change if you need a different size.  Hope that helps.

Karen

Thanks so much.  I will order two webbing ones today.  I think they will be best although I would have prefered it if they came in black like the others but it appears they don't, oh well I guess I'll get red lol

Hi you can get something that is like this called a Cannycollar. they have a collar with a loop that you pull up from the collar to go over the dogs nose. my dog doesn't like them or any head collar but I have seen people use them with good results
Em

Thanks Em.

I've ordered the Dogmatics but they take 7-14 days to deliver.  While I wait I'm trying out the Halti just so that I can compare.  I'll look into the Cannycollar if all else fails lol