We got Abby a halti today as we cant seen to get her to stop pulling WOW I had to keep checking she was still there it was so nice to go for a walk and not have our arms pulled out of their sockets every time we see anyone or anything.
She didnt try and get it off she just sat and refused to move at first once she decided to move it was fine it only tightened slightly and she stopped pulling.
Does anyone know if there is any down side to using a halti I dont want to stop her pulling by hurting her.
Thanks Mary

I read on here that its very hard to get them used to a collar afterwards, and you'll probably end up using a halit forevermore, that's the only thing that's put me off so far.

Not neccessarily, you can use the halti for your recreational walks so that he isn't practising pulling.  Meanwhile you continue to train the dog on a collar by whatever method(s) you have chosen.

I agree with Sally, I choose to use a halti or collar to suit the environment I am in. 

The Halti should be seen as a temporary measure only to enable you to take your dog out for a walk without it being a real 'pain' for you and your dog.  You should continue with training the heel position at times other than on a walk eg the garden so that eventually your dog will walk nicely without the Halti.  I have not heard of any adverse side-effect of using them.

Thank you everyone we will continue to train her to heel with a collar.
Mary

Hi Mary we took on a second whippet recently who at the age of 6 months had been walked twice in his life :(
We tried with a normal collar but as everything was new to him he spent most of the time looking like a flapping fish on a lead, which made it impossible to walk him with our other whippet.
  We do take him out for individual training with a standard collar and he has improved hugely, but for the times when we all want to go for a walk together we bought a Lupi harness,  which is a figure of eight design which crosses over the chest and under the front legs.
  I can honestly say its the best £6.00 i've ever spent :) we don't know he's there most of the time and for the first time since we've had him my wife isn't too nervous to walk them together on her own :)
He will continue to be trained to walk to heel but for the occasions when we need to guarantee he's going to behave I think Haltis,Lupis and all the other harnesses do a great job.

Steve

Have to say taht i wasnt impressed with the halti. My older dog Indy who is a terrible puller just pulled on it! he shook his head a bit, but then got used to t and didnt mind it that much. we then came upon a dog behind a gate barking on our walk, and he went for it and the halti just came right off his nose (and it was correctly fitted) - luckily it was still round his neck so i didnt lose him.