We offer a multi-disciplinary referral service to veterinary surgeons across the UK. We accept emergency referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In order to book an appointment with us, you need to request a referral to us from your pet’s usual veterinary practice.
Telephone: 0117 394 0513
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DUOutstanding veterinary care for horses and ponies in the heart of Somerset
Stables Equine Practice are experienced in dealing with horses and ponies involved in all competitive disciplines - from breeding, to pleasure horses and companions.
Telephone: 01749 830 666 / emergency pager 07623 984 669
Location: Conkerfield, Pennybatch Lane, Wookey, Nr. Wells, BA5 1NHYour local vets for all your pets.
We aim to provide the best possible care for your animals to ensure they are kept fit and healthy throughout their lives. Our practice offers a caring, family feel to ensure that you and your pet receive a personal and friendly service.
Telephone: 01934 852 422
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DULangford Vets Farm Animal Practice have extensive experience in all aspects of the farming sector and smallholder work including dairy, beef, sheep, goats, camelids, pigs and poultry.
Telephone: 01934 852 650
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DUWe are a dynamic, customer focused business providing an extensive, high-quality range of laboratory tests across many species.
We also offer an internationally recognised cat genetic testing service to owners and breeders.
Telephone: 0117 394 0510
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DUAdvancing veterinary education and career excellence
Langford Vets are passionate about promoting career-long learning for veterinary professionals with advanced training and career development opportunities provided through our Langford Academy.
Telephone: Email: brm@langfordvets.co.uk
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DU
A head halter is a very useful safety tool which will help you control your dog by guiding their head; where the head goes, the body will follow. This is the same principle when using a halter and lead rope to control the direction a horse moves in.
In addition to controlling the direction your dog moves in, a head halter can be used to redirect their gaze to you and so assist you when you need them to disengage with a potential trigger.
There are numerous types of head halter available, with the Halti Head Collar and the Gentle Leader being two of the most commonly used ones. Regardless of which brand you use, ensure you get the correct size; the neck strap should be up behind the ears and snug enough you can get 2 fingers under it and the noseband should sit should be down the nose and away from the eyes. Most companies which produce head halter offer a sizing guide.
Each session should be 5 - 10 minutes long; the session should stop after 10 minutes, regardless of the amount of progress made. It is possible to do two sessions, however, there should be a 10 - 15 minute break between sessions where your dog is removed from the training environment and given the opportunity to rest. The sessions can be carried out every day.
Before each session ensure your dog has had some physical exercise and the opportunity to relieve themselves. Also ensure they have not been fed prior to the session to increase their motivation to work for food.
Prepare enough small, tasty treats to last for the whole 5 – 10 minute session and have them to hand in a treat pouch or pocket. Soft food such as peanut butter, cream cheese, pâté or wet dog food on a wooden spoon or lick mat are useful to have to hand (NB - if using peanut butter ensure it does not contain any artificial sweeteners, especially Xylitol as these are toxic for dogs).
Each session should be 5 - 10 minutes long; the session should stop after 10 minutes, regardless of the amount of progress made. It is possible to do two sessions, however, there should be a 10 - 15 minute break between sessions where your dog is removed from the training environment and given the opportunity to rest. The sessions can be carried out every day.
Before each session ensure your dog has had some physical exercise and the opportunity to relieve themselves. Also ensure they have not been fed prior to the session to increase their motivation to work for food.
Prepare enough small, tasty treats to last for the whole 5 – 10 minute session and have them to hand in a treat pouch or pocket. Soft food such as peanut butter, cream cheese, pâté or wet dog food on a wooden spoon or lick mat are useful to have to hand (NB - if using peanut butter ensure it does not contain any artificial sweeteners, especially Xylitol as these are toxic for dogs).
Once your dog is able to put their nose in the nose loop on cue, you can move onto the next stage.
Holding the nose loop open
Holding a treat through the nose loop
This stage is going to get your dog used to the noise of the clip on the head halter and getting used to the strap being placed around his head.
It may be helpful to have a second person to give your dog treats for this stage or to have soft food on a wooden spoon they can lick while you are working on getting them used to the neck loop.
Always release the neck straps before your dog finishes the food so that they don’t try to pull away from the head halter.
Once you can hold the straps behind their ears for a few seconds you can move on to Stage 3.
This stage is going to get your dog used to the noise of the clip on the head halter and getting used to the strap being placed around his head.
It may be helpful to have a second person to give your dog treats for this stage or to have soft food on a wooden spoon they can lick while you are working on getting them used to the neck loop.
Always release the neck straps before your dog finishes the food so that they don’t try to pull away from the head halter.
Once you can hold the straps behind their ears for a few seconds you can move on to Stage 3.
The most important aspect of Stage 3 is to take your time - do not rush this stage as it could undo all of the head halter training done so far.
Once your dog can wear the head halter and move around comfortably, the leash can be attached to the head halter;
Once your dog is comfortable wearing the head halter with the leash attached you can move onto training them to loose leash walk while wearing it.
Taken from Small Animal Veterinary Psychiatry. S. Denenberg, CABI Publication, 2021.
There are many changes you can make at home to keep your dog entertained with a more enriching environment. Here are a few examples to get you started:
Find out how to support your cat dog or rabbit especially as they move into their senior years.
