From: mark@visix.com (Mark Myers)
Subject: Re: New!  Sporn Halter.
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 20:42:35 GMT
Reply-To: mark@visix.com (Mark Myers)
Organization: Visix Software, Reston, Virginia

In article <laird.728015075@pasture.ecn.purdue.edu>, laird@pasture.ecn.purdue.edu (Kyler Laird) writes:
|> Well, I said I'd give a report on this new style of halter, but after
|> our first outing, I left it on Greta.  She realized that the people at
|> the store hadn't tightened it up much and took the opportunity to show
|> me her feelings towards it.
|> 
|> It took her about 2 minutes to go through the collar twice.  So...I
|> got to use the nylon webbing left over from her first leash.  A little
|> sewing was all it took to give her a new (and bigger) collar.

Too bad!

I bought one today after reading one of the posts on it yesterday.
Works like a charm without pain!

|> 
|> Anywayz...back to the design.
|> 
|> It's a collar with two small rings at the bottom, and two large loops
|> at the top.  A cord with a ring in the middle and small clips at each
|> end goes through each loop, around behind each front leg, and back to
|> the small rings on the front.  The lead attaches to the ring in the
|> middle of the cord in between the loops on the back of the collar.
|> 
|> This system pinches the dog's legs/chest if it pulls.  It does work.

Actually, I don't believe that "pinching" is the basis of its effectiveness. 
When the dog pulls, he pushes his front legs forward and looses traction. 
It's almost a lifting action. If it were simply pinching, the dog (<mine> 
anyway) would pull alot harder than he does.
 
|> One problem I've had with it, though, is that if Greta lags and I keep
|> going, I end up pullin on her and instead of inducing her to speed up,
|> she tends to stop.

I didn't have exactly that problem with Nemo, who likes to linger and 
sniff in some locations ad infinitum. Try giving whatever command 
you use to get her going (I use "let's go"). If she doesn't respond, give a 
light, quick pull (from ahead) and release tension ... pretty much what 
you'd do with a choke or pinch collar. A stady haul will, indeed, tend to 
immmobilize her.

|> 
|> If she gets on to it, I may try to use it while cycling.  We're barely
|> up to walking the bike yet, but I want to get her onto it slowly and
|> comfortably.  I doubt I'd use it when moving quickly.
|> 

Hope it works out.

|> I think I paid about $25 for the halter.  Kind of pricey.  (and it was
|> quite upsetting to see it in several pieces on the first day!)  You
|> could make one without many problems, but I doubt it's worth the effort.
                                                                            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

If you mean you don't think it's worth having, I disagree. Othewise, 
I think you've justified the price by that statement (no flame 
intended).

|> 
|> The Sporn Halter is distributed by:
|> 	Yuppie Puppy Pet Care, Inc.
|> 	New York, NY
|> 	212-877-2747
|> 
|> --kyler
|> 

The guy at the feed store said that YPPC has sold out to one of the 
major pet supply companies and he's not able to reorder ... better 
get 'em while you can ... price will probably double and it'll become 
worth the effort to make your own :-)

-- 
Mark Myers - Visix Software Inc. - 703 758 2725 - mark@visix.com


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