Anxious
dog? Persistant barker?
Reviewed by Martin &
Hazel Tait
Description:
The Calming Face Wrap™
works on the same principle as the Anxiety Wrap, providing an alternative, holistic approach to
behaviour modification through the application of light, maintained pressure around the head
and mouth of the dog.
Description:
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Lightweight elasticated fabric
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Fastens behind head with an easy clip release
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Wide
range of adjustment
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Available in four different sizes according to weight of dog
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Step-by-step
instructions
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Can
help to reduce excessive barking, digging or scratching
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Makes
animals feel more calm and secure
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Safe
and effective
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From
the makers of the Anxiety Wrap
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Best
Features:
We used the wrap on two of
our dogs. One barks through stress or anxiety, while the other barks through frustration and
excitement. The irony being that although the wrap is designed to help soothe, it worked better
on the excitable dog rather than the stressed out one.
We
think this was because we could anticipate and prepare for the excitable dog to start barking.
Generally we could reach her quickly to follow though on the instructions for the using the
Wrap. The other dog generally stresses and barks when we are not present. Thus by the time you
had get to him to apply the Wrap, he was calm and quiet because you were there. It's a catch 22
situation.
Face Wrap™ |
Traditional muzzle |
You do need to be very organised if you use this wrap or, like a clicker, have several
around you should your dog start to bark unexpectedly. You need to be able to quieten
your dog and/or apply the wrap.
I can see this Face
Wrap™ being
used for helping calm or quieten a dog that stresses on lead, or on the agility circuit
as those of us with dogs that tend to be noisy in the queue will be able to focus on the
dog and maintain the consistent approach.
Does
not look intimidating or invasive whilst being worn unlike the more traditional anti-bark
muzzle shown below.
Could be improved:
Dog
can remove this quite easily and because of the way in which it is meant to be used is
only suitable in certain environments and/or situations. The introduction period is or
can be very long and depending on the stress level of your dog this is can take too long
before being able to start the actual training of encouraging the dog not to bark.
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This product trains the owner as
much as the dog as it gives the owner a consistent approach to follow every time the dog starts
to bark.
Format: How
much wear and tear the Face Wrap™ can take is a concern. Ours is starting to show signs of
decay and fraying after a short period.
Instructions on use:
The instructions were good.
They were easy to
understand and follow
although we thought the theory tends to over simplify what is actually required.
Price:
£7.99. The price is comparable to
other products on the market. Be aware that you may require more than one!
Overall Rating:
7/10 This is a good product
for the right circumstances, but it is not an instant or guaranteed cure for anti-social
barking!
Value for Money:
Fair.
With this
product you need to be aware that the
Face Wrap™
does not stop the barking.
It is the association with wearing the
Face Wrap™
that prevents the barking this is easy to do if you have a dog that barks with you but, if your
dog barks through stress due to separation, the association between wrap and barking is harder
to maintain.
Available from
About
the Reviewer
Martin
and Hazel Tait been
involved in agility since 1995. They've
run Dervish Agility since 1999 and have been teaching since 1996. They have three
competing dogs each, two currently in Grade 5 and three in Grade 7. Hazel's youngster will be
the first of their dogs to be a Grade 3. Out of the household of nine dogs, eight came from
either rescue or were re-homed to us.
They
firmly believe that agility is for all breeds, not just collies, and their three children are
all training there own ‘small’ dogs.
First publisher 16 May 07
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