Two people have now said to me that they've stopped using their halti collars because they think they're cruel. Stinky has a halti collar occasionally, she will walk to heel at all times unless we're in a crowd or somewhere she doesn't know and then she gets all anxious and starts to pull like a train. The halti keeps her by our side and seems to settle her. I don't use it on TH as it doesn't suit the shape of her face and sits too close to her eyes.

Does anyone else think they're cruel?

I can not make any informed info.
But they don"t look very kind.

Correctly fitted and correctly used I think they are fine. When not correctly fitted or on the wrong shaped face I don't like them.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Thanks. It is the wrong shape for a clumber spaniel, hence I never use it on her and I've used it once in the past year on Stinky and that was at the Game Fair. I think it is kinder than a choke chain as you can't hurt a dog with them.

Thanks. I was over-reacting that everyone thought I was a bad dog owner for using it periodically!

Like others have said, I think they are great if the correct size for the dog. The only thing I don't like about them is that Joe Public (especially if with children) make a point of avoiding them thinking the dog's wearing a muzzle which really p****s me off! I have actually had someone tell me that I shouldn't walk him if he needs to be muzzled

We used a Halti on our black lab when we had him and it was amazing. He had never been trained to walk on a lead and would pull so much that he half chocked himself. As soon as we put him in a Halti he walked by our side and seemed so much happier.

I think like all things, as long as they're used properly then they're a really useful aid for the dog/owner.

Fiona

If properly fitted I can't see how they could be cruel What is cruel is when I see people with dogs pulling like mad on the lead and the owner pulling back, it just ends up a tug of war and is not too nice for the dogs neck/throat either :-(

I use a Komfi Headcollar on my male weim most of the time, depending on where we are. The minute I put it on he behaves as he knows who has the most control, there's no tugging going on only gentle twitching of the fingers when required. I wouldn't be without it :-)

Oh and I agree with Freeway, Joe Public (with or without children) have occassionally given me a wide berth and a frown because of the headcollar. Quite frankly if they don't have the decency to either ask me what it's for or if they can stroke my dog then they can do one ! I get so mad when small minded people make assumptions :-(

I use the gentle leader. Although people sometimes keep their children away clear of us. One even asked me if he was wearing it because he had rabies! I had to laugh!!

What size gentle leader do you use? My parents have also got a cocker spaniel and are heving difficulties trying to find the right size. She's 7mths old now.

Thanks,

Fiona

He was in the small from 3 months until a few weeks ago. Now he is in the medium - he is nearly 8 months old now. Hope this helps.

Thanks Helen. My dad's really dodgy on his feet and can't bend down to keep trying different sizes on ebony and she won't sit still for my mum.

I'm going to visit them tomorrow so I'll let them know.

Fiona

I agree with Freeway and Fiona. My Black Lab wears his Halti on every walk. He is large strong dog, and if we did not use a Halti, he could pull us over nearly. Our dog was also never trained to walk on a lead as we re-homed him when he was just under a year. I also do think that non-dog people that see the dog with a Halti jump to conclusions. I have recommend the Halti to quite a few people that had problems with pulling, and they thought it was brilliant. Also, my mum has two dogs but they are too small to wear Halti's being Cavalier King Charles, so we tried the body harness type, and that worked brilliantly too. Also, I have two halti's (I have a spare one while one is in the wash), they both do the same job, but are slightly different in style (by different manufacturers). One of them appears a better fit than the original made Halti, but as my Lab has a big head, they both fit his head shape well. I truly understand how some people think they do not fit well, but they are NOT cruel, unless not fitted properly (too tight!).

Jenna

Have you tried the body type of Harness? My mum has two small dogs, and the Halti just falls off their noses, so I recommended the body type of Halti (same make) and they work brilliantly.

Jenna

I prefer the gentle leader by Canac. the bit that the lead attaches too that goes under the chin has a sliding clip on it so that the muzzle strap can be tightened to the correct width (round the top of muzzle just behind lips), so when you pull on the dangly bit it brings the head round without it riding up into the eyes. At our training class we have found this the only one that really suited breeds with broader or shorter muzzles, and also when left slack it didn't give the option of chewing it up!

They are not cruel, and can mean the difference between the dog being walked or not, or even life and death. As a way to control aggression they have their place as they can be used to break eye contact between two eye balling dogs!

I've tried both Halti and Gentle Leader.
I have Boxers, and to be honest neither have suited my Boxer
bitch. They make her sore on her nose, where they rub. They often come to close to the eyes.
(I have thought of putting some sheepskin type of material on
the nose band area).
So if anyone can make a headcollar for the short-nosed breeds
there's obviously a market waiting.....
Anyone tried re-training an older dog to not pull on the lead?
Any ideas and do they work? (She's quite a dominant character,
but this is her only real fault I'd like to change)

I saw an article once a few years back, and a Boxer owner tried out several different makes of headcollar , and eventually went for the Dogalter, made by Kumfi.I believe it also has a safety chain so it is extra safe.

They do have a website but not sure what it is.

Lindsay

Thanks Lindsay.
I shall look out for the dogalter
Best Wishes
Kirstine

http://www.thingsfor-pets.co.uk sell the Kumfi Dogalter.

Thanks Freeway :)

Lindsay

If it would help anyone I make bridles etc for horses, if u give me the dimensions and a diagram of what u need I d be happy to make them at cost for board members. They could be leather or webbing, whichever is preferred. After all the help I ve received it would be a pleasure !!!!!

cheers Lorraine

Hi Lorraine, I dont need one thank you, but that is a really nice offer :):):)

Actually Brainless I've just realised it's the Gentle Leader one that I now have, I used to have the Komfi one but he grew out of it.

Yes I have that one too, I find that it is better fitting for my dog, like you said, when the dog does pull, or you pull the dog back it does not cut across under the eyes, whereas the other Halti does. Does anyone notice that even though the headcollars stop the dog having so much pull, the dog can still pull a little? Or is it just by strong Lab?

I tried the Gentle Leader before the Halti on Tyler as it looked more comfy but it restricted his mouth too much (he couldn't open his mouth as much as the Halti and really irritated him) but too have the slider down so that it didn't restrict his mouth, the nose band would slide off.

I got fed up with coming home after every walk with vertually no feeling left in my hands with my gsd pulling. So I bought a Halti, It worked for me, and I only had to use it for about 3 months. She hasn't pulled since.

I use one for my collie he pulls really badly, I think they are kinder than letting him damage his neck with a collar (he pulls that bad, )
and def kinder than a check chain or them slip collars that a lot of people like.

Jane
PS he is a resuce!!

We used a gentle leader head collar on our collie cross rescue dog. It was excellent and I would thoroughly recommend it - in fact head collars were advised at the training classes we attended. On one occasion I forgot to use it, he started to pull when we saw another dog, there was hidden ice on the path and you can guess the result - I slipped and injured my back. I never ventured out without the head collar after that.
The other major advantage with a dog who doesn't like other dogs is that you have control of the head and can help the dog avoid eye contact.
Cathy.

Hi

I have used a halti with both my dogs (lab and GSD) and have had great success. I would however say that the
pet shops etc don't give enough guidance on how to use them. I am also appalled that pet shops are advising
customers to use haltis with extenda leads. I have a friend who's dog serverely damaged her neck when she bolted off on hr exentda lead came to the end of it and jolted her neck because of the halti. In general I'm not a big fan of extenda leads particluarly not with big dogs - but be aware never use with a halti.

Halti's are not cruel providing they are fitted and used correctly and they can make your walks much more relaxed -
I would rather use a halti than spend the whole time I'm out arguing with my very strong gsd and I refuse to use a choke as they really can do damage.

K

I agree. I never ever use a flexi lead - although I do use a horse's lead rein for gundog training :rolleyes:

It must be something to do with being brought up with collies, don't let them get in front, then they're taking you not the other way around. Hence, no flexi leads in our house. Stinky had one when we got her and it took months to get her to walk to heel.

I would have to disagree with KirstyS and 9thM slightly. I think it totally depends on your own personal preferences/experiences and your dog. My dog wears a halti and also has an extendable lead, we have no problems with it at all!

Everyone to their own!

Jenna

Jenna

You're right. It does depend on your own personal circs. I just happen not to like them, but thousands of people do.

No offence intended.

9th & Stinky

hi
i use a halti on my gwp i only used it at first just to train her but if i want to take her for a run then she barks and pulls and she can be hard to control also if i use a choker chain she is'nt to bad on that but it makes her hair go all makey on the neck at it is really hard to get back to normal and when my gwp is wearing a collar it isn't that easy to pull her back.
So the choker chain isn't possible to use if i want my gwp to do well in the show ring and as the collar is difficult to use then the halti is my only option.
Heather

I use haltis on my two small dogs and wish they came in a size smaller than zero. I have two females that are about 17 pounds, but both wear size 0. I would eventually like to get another Yorkshire terrier someday (mine died of old age a while ago) and I know she would need something even smaller.

Halti style harnesses are great when used in the right area. I decided to try them out a year ago. I have found that I prefer using them in the city because I can gently control their heads and keep them close to me. My 6 year old Cocker/Chihuahua mix is so used to hers that she follows alongside of me like a little lamb. Many times, I just put the lead end into my pocket and my hands stay free. With her, having the halti is a relief for me because she has been jumped on by every large dog that has gone by that she now wants to snap at any who come too near her. I am so tired of owners using extend-leads on city sidewalks. Absolutely no control or discipline and everyone gets wrapped in cutting cord during encounters.
Since I've used the halti, it's been easier to keep her focused on me, while I deal with the owner with the overly nosy dog. Her stress level has decreased considerably and I don't have to worry about where her head is..

My other is a 8 year old doxi/westie mix who has had many "arguments" over the years with my husband about who is in charge and leads. It didn't matter that they had both been successfully through obedience school or if a harness or training collar was properly being used. She wanted to walk in front and not listen to him. There is something pathetically hilarious about a 6'4 man "arguing" with a 15 pound dog. (She never gave me any problems) Anyway, for the last year, peace has reigned at last. She still is stubborn, but now walks nicely next to him without pushing to get in front. It was easy and no pain involved, just limits where she could go.
Again, we use these when we are walking through cities and crowds. Out in the woods & in cars, their harnesses are more appropriate. I would never ever put an extend-lead on a halti. One bad snap of the hand and the physics of the situation could break a dog's neck. That is a horrible horrible thing to happen.
Tchuss!
Sara

I have used a gentle leader on one of my labs to great effect, it seems to half the strength of the dog and I would reccommend one to anybody but what really ticks me off is that the general public seem to think they are muzzles. A lot of people give me a wide berth and you can hear some muttering about muzzled dogs. Some have even asked me why my dog is so bad that it needs a muzzle. It really gets my back up because my dog is very placid but can pull for England. I think this is why other posters are getting the wide berth treatment, not because haltis and the like are generally frowned upon but Joe Public thinks a mad muzzled dog is approaching.

Ah, us blunt and tactless Americans tell Joe Q Public to get a brain & see the dog has nothing wrapped around her muzzle. :-) Actually, that's happened several times to me, but usually from kids. Of course, having small dogs and one black one to boot, not too many people can see what they are wearing too well. Need to get up some type of publicity campaign.....well, at least the manufacturers should. It would be in their interest to compete against "training" collars. :-) chuckles.