G'day @aly
Thanks for the reassurance that little Connor's operation will help, we've always had our boys done as early as we could, mainly to lessen the chance of testicular cancer.
We were offered first pick of the litter, being returning customers, but we wanted to stay with our proven formula of having the last one left, they've all been beautiful.
The complication with Connor, was that the breeder couldn't decide which one of the last 2 to keep as a show dog, so we offered to keep the one that we'd be given entire, if she ever wanted to breed from him.
As I mentioned before, I'm extremely forgiving & patient, but Connor pushed me beyond limits, so Tania rang the breeder to break the news that we were contemplating having him defused. To our surprise, she was all for it, as his brother's the same.
I did some research on your Halti head collar, & it seems to be very successful. Some acclaimed dog trainers are all for them, but recommend putting the dog back on a normal lead/collar as soon as possible. The thing with dogs is that they're a pack animal, & they have an established hierarchy of having a leader, that the others follow/respect. Even with the Halti, make sure you have a short lead, so that he walks next to you, if you let him lead, you're signalling to him that he's above you & that he sets the rules.
I'd suggest that your stronger hubby/partner handle the leash, & that you walk beside them. If he pulls, he's to be restrained with the head collar, & praised immediately if/when he responds. Once you're comfortable with how he's complying, maybe you could walk slightly ahead, & hubby/partner controls him with the head collar. Again, praise him immediately, & continue until his compliance is a given. To take it further, maybe you could take the lead, while hubby/partner walks next to you both, then when comfortable, get hubby/partner to lead as you had before. That way you both establish the lead roles, & he'll be a breeze to walk.
Thanks & good luck
John
