Today we went and got Sheena her first halti.  We got it because she has been starting to pull a lot lately so my trainers have told to get a halti for her to teach her where to place her head when walking and also to teach her to not sniff or lick floors and so on.  She is already bigger than our 10yr old dog and is twice as strong so I know I need to get control now while she is so young.  My trainers have told me that five months old is the perfect age to start teaching this to her.  We got her the size she will need as an adult and adjusted it to fit her now.  So it has a nice sized nosed band that is comfortable and lose but still gives us the control.  She quickly learned that it is not a muzzle.  We put it on as soon as we found the right one for her at the pet store.    I was expecting a bit of a fight but all she did was shake her head a little.  We walked her around the store for about 20 minutes to get her comfortable with it on before we took her to the grocery store.  Neither place did she once pull me or try to sniff anything.  I was amazed at her quick response.  But then agian she seems to be very accepting of anything we introduce her to.

At the grocery store we did get confronted by one of the managers.  He asked me if she was a seeing eye dog and when i said she was a service dog in training he told me she wasn't allowed in the store.  Now he is correct in that.  We live in Canada and the only service dogs that have to be admited in a business and is protect under the law  is the seeing eye dogs.  I proceeded to tell him that I had phone the head office ahead of time and got their permission to bring her in.  He started to look very uncomfortable then.  I was very polite and explained to him that I knew what the laws in Canada stated and that is why I always ask the businesses permission ahead of time.  He then apologized to me and said he had to ask.  I just smiled and told him it was alright.  He told me to go about my business and we did.  So that is our second access problem.  But if they all turn out like this I can handle it.  I always get a little frightened when confronted.  I am terrified of confrontations but I try to stay calm and I pet Sheena the whole time who just sits there calmly.  So that helps. 

Anyway that was our day. 

Hi

My friend has a 1 year old GSD bitch and she pulls a lot, but since getting a Halti its so much better. And as I walk her a lot I know.

I recognize the things you say about not pulling and accepting the Halti. Bella is still rubbing her face, but I just distract her and keep on walking, soo I agree with you: Blessed Halti.

Jeanette

Hello Isabeau

Have you thought about getting a vest for Sheena that indicates that she is an assistance dog.  I've found a website in the USA that makes them with Service Dog written on them Here  If she wore one of those when out, people like the store manager would see she was working for you and would be less likely to confront you :)

Good luck with training Sheena :)

Lesley

PS Have just looked at the site properly and they do more than vests!  They have little chest shields and leads and all sorts for assistance dogs :D

Actually when we first got Sheena and started taking her out we had a bandana she wore that was bright red with bright yellow lettering saying she was a service dog in Training.  For the past month and a half she has been earing her vest.  Both we ordered from a company called ACES in the states.  The vest covers from her sides where her shoulders are and up and over her back. It is also bright red and has yellow lettering.  In big bold letters across the top it says DO NOT PET.  The on each side it says Service Dog In Training along with the medical alert sign.  We wear this everytime we go out.  We have taken her out over 50 times and only been confronted twice so I think we are doing well. But I appreciate your thoughts and posting the site for me.  I am going to go and look at it and add it to my sevice dog gear sites.

Hi Isabeau

Hopefully the two confrontations will be all you get :)  Over here in the UK you still see many shops with signs in the window saying no dogs allowed except Guide Dogs (our seeing eye dogs) but really the signs should encompass all service dogs!  Good luck with training Sheena, and I hope that the two of you have a very long and happy partnership :)

Lesley