I have decided in the short term the best way to be sure I have control over my boys when out is to have a headcollar on them both.  They dont generally pull on the lead but if they both decide to go for another dog I do struggle holding them.  I have the dog alter head collars for them, Alf is fine on his but ive never managed to get Fagan used to it, if I put it on him he refuses to walk, whether on the lead or not.  Can someone give me some advice on the best way to introduce it? he is a bit of a wimp and very stubborn :rolleyes: but I think life would be so much easier if I could have them both on a head collar.

Have you tried putting it on him in the house for short periods to let him get used to it with no lead attached? We use a Halti for one of ours and she really doesn't like it but doesn't need to wear it often. We got a gentle leader for the other one and although she hated the halti, the gentle leader one doesn't bother her at all as it doesn't seem to move up the face as much. Might be worth a try? HTH
Marion

Does it fit properly? If it rides up their face and covers the eyes it will obviously upset them. They won't be able to see ;) :) Mine use them, but it did take a while to get used to them. Little and often, feeding them special treats helped :D

I had no success with a halti headcollar as it kept pinching my dog's lips (soft mouthed GR) but found a canny collar to be excellent. I only use it around fireworks time as any loud bang and he is off and he is too strong for me to hang on to. I actually stopped walking him after 3pm because of this but now the nights are quieter I have taken him out with the canny collar and have control at all times.and am not worried about being able to keep hold of him if someone does let a firework off.  I particularly like the canny as the lead still fixes at the back of the head so there is no accidental jerk if he is spooked and he can't put his feet over the lead. I was also able to use it straight away unlike the halti to which he had to be introduced gradually and he never did get used to it.

The dog alter doesnt go up into his eyes.  I think the trick is going to be put it on in the house with loads of fuss and treats and build it up gradually.

Thanks for your replies :)

Our first attempt - i.e. put it on, try and take her for a walk - was a unmitigated disaster. :rolleyes: and was following advice from someone I'd not listen to again.

I then read on here to introduce it really slowly, so a left it a month or so, and got a different one altogether and started by showing it to her and giving her a treat. I did that for a couple of days. Then I started having a treat the other side of the nose loop so she'd put her nose through it. Did that for a few days. Then slipped it onto her nose and took my hand away....for a few days. Worked up to to her wearing it for meals...anyway you get my point, tiny steps forward.

We don't use the head collar so much now, but if we do she'll sit really well in front of us and poke her nose through the loop to put it on.