[nagdu] Haltis and Scavenging WAS Retiring a dog early

Thu Feb 27 16:15:27 UTC 2014

Raven,

The strap on the GL is adjustable also. I keep mine fairly loose on 
Mitzi, just shortening it enough that she can't rub it off the end of 
her nose. I started with the Halti, but my hands were still numb back 
then, so the extra straps were a bit of a nightmare. So I went to the GL 
because it was just easier to put on and off. It works with Mitzi, so 
that is what I still use. I like the communication with her nose, since 
I get a lot of feedback about the environment through the leash that 
way. Also, if she goes into super sniff mode, I know what she's doing 
and can take slack out of the leash to inhibit the sniffing that way 
while I use verbal commands and clicking/praise to move her past the 
sniff spot. It's what works with her.

When I first used the Halti, I did the introductory sessions around the 
house with treats and all that business, so she got used to it fairly 
well right off. Then we started going out, and I fell for her complaints 
that this was horrible torture, giving her all sorts of attention for 
rubbing her nose on my leg... I knew better, but I'm a sucker! By the 
time we got to the store to pick up some things, I was starting to get 
myself under control and get her to pay attention to her work, but once 
my hands wer full, she had to do the face rub. Everyone thought it was 
adorable! So now she will still do that as a crowd-pleaser when my hands 
are full. Everyone thinks it's adorable! I end up nudging her with my 
leg and muttering at her, which will stop her until her audience is 
ready for another laugh... Yet another way in which my guide dog gives 
me dignity! /lol/

I do check the strap periodically to be sure it is situated right, and I 
always make sure it has loosened up again if she does pull against it.

When I started using the Halti during training for indoor work where I 
wanted to keep track of The Nose, I did find that when I went to the 
store without it, she would be less disciplined. But she knew the right 
thing to do by then, so reminding brought her back into line. Some 
people don't like head collars because they think the control takes the 
place of training. I think that's only true if you don't do the training 
while you have the head collar on. /lol/

Tami

On 02/26/2014 08:22 PM, Raven Tolliver wrote:
> Hi,
> There is a clip under the nose strap on the Halti, which allows for
> the strap to be adjusted.
> I don't believe the nose strap of the Gentle leader is adjustable.
> That kind of head collar might be the one Aleeha is complaining is too
> loose around the nose.
>
> On 2/26/14, Nicole Torcolini <ntorcolini at wavecable.com> wrote:
>> Okay, then it's possible that GDB had us put it on too tight. I wonder if
>> this is why most dogs hate it.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aleeha Dudley
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 6:33 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Haltis and Scavenging WAS Retiring a dog early
>>
>> I always thought that the Haltie was too loose on the dog's nose, not
>> offering enough control. I've always been taught that the gentle leader is
>> properly fitted if the dog can open its mouth wide enough to pant and if
>> you
>> can get a finger sideways between the neck strap and the neck.
>>
>> On 2/26/14, Nicole Torcolini <ntorcolini at wavecable.com> wrote:
>>> I wish that GDB did this. They issue a gentle leader, or at least they
>>> did in 2007. We were required to use it once. I think that I did
>>> something that made Lexia really not like it; but I honestly  don't
>>> know what I did. I think that she might have liked a halty better. I
>>> don't like the way that the gentle leader pulls tight around the dog's
>> nose and does not loosen.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Raven
>>> Tolliver
>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 12:56 PM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Haltis and Scavenging WAS Retiring a dog early
>>>
>>> Hi Daryl,
>>> I'm glad the Halti is working for you! Many people are very anti head
>>> collar. It's good to see you tried it and are having success.
>>> Just remember that to work on scavenging and sniffing, it's important
>>> to practice at home with things like "leave it" and teaching your dog
>>> how to react to, or ignore, food on the floor or ground without the
>>> Halti on. The leg work is certainly worth it. I have taught extremely
>>> nosy beagles, black labs, and pitbulls to ignore food via self
>>> restraint or on cue. It took more time than it did with other dogs,
>>> but they get the hang of it.
>>> Guiding Eyes  actually issues the Halti among other collars with each
>>> dog.
>>> Or, at least they did when I attended. Everyone doesn't need one all
>>> the time, but I have found myself in situations where the Halti was
>> useful.
>>>
>>> On 2/26/14, Daryl Marie <crazymusician at shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>> Darla,
>>>> I have a Halti for jenny. Without knowing it, I bought the Halti (or
>>>> something very VERY similar as per Raven's description).  It has made
>>>> working with Jenny SO much easier!  her scavenging has exponentially
>>>> decreased (maybe once every trip or two, compared to ALL THE TIME),
>>>> and I have full confidence that with a little more hard work it will
>>>> almost disappear in time.
>>>>
>>>> Daryl and the sleepy Jenny
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: Darla Rogers <djrogers0628 at gmail.com>
>>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Wed, 26 Feb 2014 12:01:27 -0700 (MST)
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Retiring a dog early
>>>>
>>>> I concur with Darrel; I'd be curious to know, though I am going to do
>>>> as Raven suggests and get a haltie.
>>>> Darla & Happy Huck
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daryl
>>>> Marie
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 12:33 PM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Retiring a dog early
>>>>
>>>> Jewel,
>>>> While I am new to guide dogs, I don't have any advice regarding how
>>>> to let go and ways to love a new dog.
>>>>
>>>> May  I ask what Faye was doing re scavenging/sniffing that prompted
>>>> the trainer and you to come to this decision?  I am curious, as I
>>>> have a scavenger...
>>>>
>>>> Daryl and the sleepy Jenny doggie donut
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: Jewel <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
>>>> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Wed, 26 Feb 2014 11:11:24 -0700 (MST)
>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Retiring a dog early
>>>>
>>>> Retiring a dog early
>>>> An instructor from my school came this weekend and assessed Faye's
>>>> behavior issues, specifically scavenging and sniffing. We decided
>>>> together it would be best to return Faye to the school and start the
>>>> intake for a new dog. I put so much love and time into this
>>>> relationship over the past eight months I have had her, I am having
>>>> trouble dealing with this. Is there any advice on how to enjoy the
>>>> last of the time I have with her and how to let go when I must? I am
>>>> also afraid of not being able to put as much love into my next guide
>>>> dog relationship. Did you find it easy to fall in love with a
>>>> successor
>>> dog?
>>>> Jewel
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nagdu:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/crazymusician%40sh
>>>> a
>>>> w.ca
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nagdu:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/djrogers0628%40gma
>>>> i
>>>> l.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nagdu:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/crazymusician%40sh
>>>> a
>>>> w.ca
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nagdu:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ravend729%40gmail.
>>>> c
>>>> om
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Raven
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nagdu:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40waveca
>>> ble.co
>>> m
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nagdu:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blindcowgirl1993%40
>>> gmail.com
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40wavecable.co
>> m
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ravend729%40gmail.com
>>
>
>