Half check collars

[Cazzie]

Yes but do you know why that is  I found that out about sweepie, it is because they do not find us one bit interesting and have no inclination to do or listen to one thing we ask of them, once you have mastered the art of making yourself the most irrisistable exciting thing to them, then you have cracked it 

That is exactly what the trainer said to me (and for those of you think it could have been the same trainer it definately wasn't )

I wish it was quite as easy as that... someone please tell me how to make myself as interesting and irresitible to my lurchers as a running bunny or fox... Any suggestions very welcome... 

Ill give you my trainers number 

[Michele]

I think any dog will walk much better on any type of collar/harness etc. after it has expended energy, so what do Rachel and others who prefer to train their dogs after they've burnt off some energy do before they arrive at their chosen destination.
My lot will pull to go on the walk, but walk to heel very happily on the way back. I don't see what you have enforced to make this happen.

I want them to learn not to pull at any time - if I allow them to pull on the way, but heel on the way back, then they haven't learnt not to pull, and they are rewarded for pulling by being let off lead when I get there     

In order to ensure that their training sessions for heel work are constructive, I want them to be exercised first - so I use a harness to prevent them pulling and being rewarded for it   

Exactly the same reason Neneh wears a half check, as I said horses for courses.

Half checks are fine for everyday collars as long as they are adjusted correctly - meaning that the two rings should meet when fully tight, but not choke the dog.

Vera

Vera, I take it you didn't have time to read the whole thread, thank you for confirming what was already mentioned on page 1. 

I have used a half check on Neneh for all of her life (nearly 9) and she has never hurt her windpipe either.

What I will say though is if you are going to use one it must be fitted correctly, which is that when the chain part is pulled taut the webbing part of the collar should meet. Any tighter than that and the chain will pinch the neck.

Back to the OP's original question, none of mine wear a collar (of any sort) in the house and if travelling in a crate in the car I remove them then too as it has been known for dogs to strangle themselves when the i.d disc has got caught between the bars.

[cdpops]

Well I can assume from this that I was one of the ones who used it wrongly. I feel quite bad about this, nobody showed me how to put it on, it was just sold to me at training class. I am as I think everybody knows a novice dog owner, and it definitly did have a bad effect on Charlie. So I hope, if reading this thread helps other novice dog owners like me ask the right questions it will be a good thing. Sorry for talking piffle 

[Jeanette]

I think any dog will walk much better on any type of collar/harness etc. after it has expended energy, so what do Rachel and others who prefer to train their dogs after they've burnt off some energy do before they arrive at their chosen destination.
My lot will pull to go on the walk, but walk to heel very happily on the way back. I don't see what you have enforced to make this happen.

I know this doesn't relate to half check collars but have found this fascinating.   Went to a new puppy course as didn't get on at my old one, this new course is 4 lessons of one to one with the trainer and 4 lessons of group training, anyway to the point, I did my one to one with my trainer last night and we were doing heel work which was getting Indie into position for loose lead walking as this is my biggest issue.  My trainer advised me whilst I am still training Indie to walk to heel on a loose lead that I don't walk her anywhere where she can undo my training, I told her that I currently use a harness as Indie pulls like mad and she said it will take even longer to train her if I still go for walks with her pulling as I will be undoing all the training at home so advised me to take her out in the car to where we go to our field for off lead exercise so that she doesn't get the chance to pull again whilst I am trying to train her with normal collar and lead.   Oh yes back to the point, no half check collars in our training.

[Top Barks]

Coming in to this late but most pieces of equipment used on dogs has the possibility of causing some discomfort if not fitted and used properly.
There is  scientific evidence which suggests use of full choke collars and slip leads can cause damage to the dog but
Like Vera I have no problem with a half check as long as it is adjusted properly.
I still would not use one to yank a dog back but I wouldn't on a flat collar or head harness either.
Mark

[KellyS]

none of mine wear a collar (of any sort) in the house and if travelling in a crate in the car I remove them then too as it has been known for dogs to strangle themselves when the i.d disc has got caught between the bars.

How awful never thought of that. The reason mine have them on in the car is incase we are in a car accident and have to get the dogs out quickly or they run off at least they would have their collars on to easily grab hold of.

[Michele]

none of mine wear a collar (of any sort) in the house and if travelling in a crate in the car I remove them then too as it has been known for dogs to strangle themselves when the i.d disc has got caught between the bars.

How awful never thought of that. The reason mine have them on in the car is incase we are in a car accident and have to get the dogs out quickly or they run off at least they would have their collars on to easily grab hold of.

It happened to a young Viszla pup at a show I was at. The owners had only left it for a very short time but it got caught and with the pup twisting round it strangled itself. 
I agree about wanting to have something to get hold of, perhaps the flat collars with the id threaded through would be good for this occasion.

[LurcherGirl]

I think any dog will walk much better on any type of collar/harness etc. after it has expended energy, so what do Rachel and others who prefer to train their dogs after they've burnt off some energy do before they arrive at their chosen destination.
My lot will pull to go on the walk, but walk to heel very happily on the way back. I don't see what you have enforced to make this happen.

I know this doesn't relate to half check collars but have found this fascinating.   Went to a new puppy course as didn't get on at my old one, this new course is 4 lessons of one to one with the trainer and 4 lessons of group training, anyway to the point, I did my one to one with my trainer last night and we were doing heel work which was getting Indie into position for loose lead walking as this is my biggest issue.  My trainer advised me whilst I am still training Indie to walk to heel on a loose lead that I don't walk her anywhere where she can undo my training, I told her that I currently use a harness as Indie pulls like mad and she said it will take even longer to train her if I still go for walks with her pulling as I will be undoing all the training at home so advised me to take her out in the car to where we go to our field for off lead exercise so that she doesn't get the chance to pull again whilst I am trying to train her with normal collar and lead.   Oh yes back to the point, no half check collars in our training.

Or you could use two different types of equipment when you have time to practice properly and when you don't. Eg. have one harness and lead when you are 100% consistent and have a different type of harness/lead when you don't have time. Once your dog is fine with the "when you are consistent" harness, you can switch to that permanently.

Vera

[Cob-Web]

Or you could use two different types of equipment when you have time to practice properly and when you don't. Eg. have one harness and lead when you are 100% consistent and have a different type of harness/lead when you don't have time. Once your dog is fine with the "when you are consistent" harness, you can switch to that permanently.

Vera

In effct, that is what I do - I use the Sporn when I don't have time for training, and a flat collar and lead when I do; and they know they are off for a good run when they wear their trail harnesses to pull like sledgedogs 

[Jeanette]

Or you could use two different types of equipment when you have time to practice properly and when you don't. Eg. have one harness and lead when you are 100% consistent and have a different type of harness/lead when you don't have time. Once your dog is fine with the "when you are consistent" harness, you can switch to that permanently.

Vera

In effct, that is what I do - I use the Sporn when I don't have time for training, and a flat collar and lead when I do; and they know they are off for a good run when they wear their trail harnesses to pull like sledgedogs 

Thats a good idea, I'm training for loose lead walking with the collar and lead so don't want her to pull on that so I will use the harness and bungee lead when we need to go out walking as I know she is still in pulling frame of mind as she doesn't know any better yet.   I was thinking, it might be a problem trying to drive everywhere just for a walk and sometimes it isn't suitable for me to have her off-lead all the time if there are dogs/people I don't want her to approach.

[Cob-Web]

I was thinking, it might be a problem trying to drive everywhere just for a walk and sometimes it isn't suitable for me to have her off-lead all the time if there are dogs/people I don't want her to approach.

I agree, I wouldn't ever let my dogs jump out of the car off-lead, no matter where we were - if I can park my car there, then there is always the risk of traffic 

My two have learnt to wait for their leads to be clipped on before they get out of the car, but we just don't have the option of an exercise session without using a lead at all 

[Cazzie]

Yes but do you know why that is  I found that out about sweepie, it is because they do not find us one bit interesting and have no inclination to do or listen to one thing we ask of them, once you have mastered the art of making yourself the most irrisistable exciting thing to them, then you have cracked it 

That is exactly what the trainer said to me (and for those of you think it could have been the same trainer it definately wasn't )

I wish it was quite as easy as that... someone please tell me how to make myself as interesting and irresitible to my lurchers as a running bunny or fox... Any suggestions very welcome... 

Ill give you my trainers number 

Or infact, ask Top Barks, look at the way his dogs pay attention to him, IMO looking at his videos etc he is the main attraction in their lives (well thats how they appear) 

[Top Barks]

Even I can't compete sometimes with natural urges and instincts but i do my best.
I like to think I am the center of their world when out and with Douglas that might be the case but the other two not so.
I really have to work Oliver and Bayley when out which is why you shouldn't be surprised if Bayley turns up to any COL meets on a harness and longline or flexi as I have at the new forest meets I've been on.
If I want to chat it's what i have to do.
My OH has stopped coming on walks as I am forever having to work him to keep his focus when off lead so never get to stroll and have a chat.
Bayley's hunting instincts are very strong, Oliver's recall's cr*p and Douglas is bang on and doesn't range to far but it can be difficult keeping an eye on three at once and chatting.
Still I guess my control aint too bad

[Helen]

Even I can't compete sometimes with natural urges and instincts but i do my best.
I like to think I am the center of their world when out and with Douglas that might be the case but the other two not so.
I really have to work Oliver and Bayley when out which is why you shouldn't be surprised if Bayley turns up to any COL meets on a harness and longline or flexi as I have at the new forest meets I've been on.
If I want to chat it's what i have to do.
My OH has stopped coming on walks as I am forever having to work him to keep his focus when off lead so never get to stroll and have a chat.
Bayley's hunting instincts are very strong, Oliver's recall's cr*p and Douglas is bang on and doesn't range to far but it can be difficult keeping an eye on three at once and chatting.
Still I guess my control aint too bad

but Ollie is also lovely to snuggle as my OH can testify....he and OH became great chums on that walk (was nothing to do with the venison sausage OH had in his pocket, oh no!)

[Michele]

Even I can't compete sometimes with natural urges and instincts but i do my best.

I shall remember that when you've got a string of women chasing after you at Crufts