Head collars for Dogs *Long thread*

[Lessie]

Hello

I need some help regarding head collars for my Labrador. This morning we took Ramsey our Lab to the vets for his vaccination and had him weighed. Unfortunately he's put on weight and is now overweight

Well what can I say he is a Lab but I am guilty as charged - I do give him treats perhaps too much but I can't help it with his big brown eyes And I’m terrible – am a big push over I always feel guilty if I don’t give them anything as that makes me think they don’t love me. But I’ve got to stop treating them like humans when it comes to food. They are dogs end of. Also I am wrecking their health so I should not be doing this if I love them.

But on the serious side me and my mum was discussing about what went wrong and why he's put on weight unfortunately the main issue is my dad - he is convinced that he is a healthy 28kg and just uses his sex and thickness of coat as an excuse. He does give him lots of treats, bad treats – even a bloody prawn crackers. I know they are incredibly bad for them but he doesn’t listen to me or mum.

Ramsey is incredibly strong - don't get me wrong he has got lots of muscles on him. However health-wise his weight is worrying if he continues like this. So we've got to be incredibly strict about not giving him any leftovers or treats. Also reduce his biscuits. The main problem is we all feed them different amount of biscuits - for instance my dad gives him a cup full of biscuits whereas I give him how much he needs i.e how much exercise he has done. I never give him a cup full. Half full ideally.

Also exercise-wise I'm convinced my dad doesn't give them a full hour at minimum off-lead exercise daily, when I am away. Since now, there are several of public footpath/fields in our village that have got livestock’s which meant it is very limited to let them off here. So my dad takes them to same particular place - every day off lead in the morning but it’s a 20 min walk around the field. He's convinced they have enough exercise there simply because they've been running a lot. I personally think that’s not enough regardless how much they have ran. I think time-wise is more important. Although they go out 3 times a day but I still think it’s not enough especially with that amount of food my dad feeds him. Our other dog is incredibly fit and healthy – he’s got a very high metabolism. Whereas Ramsey haven’t partly because of his breed.

Anyway but when I am home, I make sure they have the absolute minimum of 1 and a half hours of exercise everyday no matter what. However since Ramsey is now on a diet and requires more exercise which is not a problem because I am more than happy to take them out more often. Nevertheless the downsize is - there isn't many fields to let them off which I find really annoying because I hate it when they can't be let off. Also I have a problem thinking that going on long walks with leads on isn’t enough exercise and isn’t fair for the dogs not to be able to roam freely. Especially when I’m used to letting them off every single day, so just to make sure there is nothing wrong with long walks on leads? (I hope)

The only downsize with Ramsey is that he is incredibly friendly and strong; he bounces and pulls when he sees someone he knows or dogs. I cannot hold him - let alone both of them – with our other dog. They have dragged me once on the gravel, when they saw a cat. So that is why I don't enjoy our walks on leads, and I let them off as much as I can and as soon as possible. My mum does not/can't take them out at all - because of her health. They are too strong and dangerous for my mum. Yep also my mum admitted that my dad can't control them too. Well all dogs are strong. Anyway we've spoke to the vets today about a head-collar for Ramsey. She recommended a halti-head collar. I have done some research but I'm still unsure about it, like for instance can you leave it on when you let him off lead?

Charlie our other dog has got a canny collar and that is brilliant. Works really well. But my dad refuses to use it because he thinks it's 'wrong' and Charlie doesn't like it. So he'd rather have them on lead uncontrollably and making him angry Which makes him shout at them.

Basically my problem is whatever me and mum decides for the dogs - dad never agrees and refuses to do anything we do which makes the whole issue worse for the dogs as they won't learn and so they'll get away with it with my dad. But this time we’re going to ignore dad as this is for our own safety and the dogs safety. So we’re getting Ramsey a head collar for definite but could you please recommend me one or give me any reviews?

Once we find a suitable one for Ramsey – he will be wearing it all times and Charlie will be wearing his canny collar all times no matter what. I think it’s about time we’re in charge and in control of them. Hopefully I can take them out as much as I can without any problems and enjoy my walks with them on leads.

Anyway he is now 36.85 kg - ideally he should be around 30 -33kg. So we’ve got a lot of work to do but we are determined.

Ops I’ve just realized how much I’ve typed - Sorry this is long, I just needed to get this off my chest and wanted to seek advice but didn’t know where?! So I found this forum

Sorry and thank-you for your time, look forwards hearing from you
Lessie

[dogbuddy]

Hello Lessie,

Your thread is pretty long but I enjoyed reading

Well, I would suggest that you go online and try to look for collars that would really fit Ramsey...Boy, he is huge!

I have a Lab, too but I never had any problem training him coz I am the one in charged,

I buy him the usual collar, the one that would fit his personality...I usually go online and check on blogs for any good reviews....

best of luck to you!

[Blackdogs]

Dogmatic head collars are the best i have found so far,and have recomended them to many of my past clients
look up Dogmatic head collars
weight wise you dog is way over weight, think i would put his feed in bags and only get out his daily rasion so dad can't feed him more, over feeding is cruel, if you want to give him treats give him carrots ,apple , broccolli pieces, Training plays a large part of a dogs life , teach him to walk on the lead
good luck
Blackdogs