Happy New Year everyone
On Sunday we tried our 7 month lab with a halter as she really does pull.  I tried the turning around and walking back but it didn't work and I also tried putting a second lead around her middle as a stop go this worked quite well.  The halter seems to be working quite nicely but do they actually learn to walk nicely with one of these so that eventually I can walk her without it or would it be better to continue without?  Has anybody tried a gentle leader as well?
Van

I have a gentle leader and i found it far better than a halti. Once i got Ollie walking nice on the gentle leader i used to leave it on him but put the lead on his collar then eventually took away the gentle leader, which is now going to be used on pull manic Moss. I found the gentle leader better as its softer and didnt go up the eyes as it has a clip to stop it rubbing

I have tried both a Halti and a Gentle Leader and have found the GL to be by far the best.  Although both work on the same principle, the Halti never seemed  to fit very well and my Lab always tried to chew the loop beneath the noseband.  The GL controls the head and I can manage to stop Molly lunging at the local cats quite easily.  The only problem I have found is that she will persist in trying to "rub" it off on my legs,  although this is usually solved by carrying a treat in my hand.

My lab ran straight through his halti and I was left with three pieces of string!!!!!We did the turning around and walking back when he pulled, some days we didn't even get out of the gate, but the hard work paid off. He soon realised that he would not get any further unless he walked to heel.

I would like to try the GL again but she really hates it she rubs on the floor and paws at it over her nose.  Perhaps over the weekend I will try her with it again although she does seem to be doing ok on the Halti at present.  I think one of these combined with the turning around and walking back approach and lots of treats should win her over eventually (I hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Van

I wish I'd bought my Halti ages ago.  Copper pulls like a demon when he's not wearing it but when its on he won't pull as he doesn't like it getting tight around his muzzle.  It does tend to come off though if he has a barking fit but all in all I think it works for me.

CG

having tryed haltis & G.L,ive now moved on to the gentle controller,which is fab,its like a figure of 8 loop that attaches to the lead just behind the ears. ive never tryed a dogmatic,but people swear by these (who have tryed!)

I have a gentle leader as well and find them really great - very effective :-)

I've tried a gentle leader and dogmatic, the gentle leader works brilliant on my younger dog and over christmas we put it back on her after a couple of months of not wearing it and she accepted it straight away. I tried the gentle leader on my other dog but it kept riding up into his eyes cutting into him so he now wears a dogmatic leather headcollar which doesn't ride up atall but he seems to be getting too used to it and is pulling more and more. I wouldn't be able to control him without it though as he can lunge at other dogs.

I have used a halti on my BC since she was really young as she pulls like a train and used to lunge at cars. I couldn't be wothout it now and it is brilliant when she lunges at other dogs because of her fear aggression, but no it hasn't stiopped her pulling. SHe still tries, and although it is manageble she can still put a lot of weight behind it. I also do the stop and start method, but she will be 3 in february and still walks terribly. (But does lovely heelwork at training classes of course!!) She never tried to get it off though, and we use a hati link so that even if it comes off she isn't free. I also have used a gentle leader on my retriever who pulls through youthful exhuberance, but once again it doesn't stop her pulling only makes her more manageable.

Exactly the same problem.  I wont use Haltis as they can cause eye infections as they ride up alot and they also close the mouth when the dogs pulls which during the summer is not the best idea with a thick coated BC.  I have used the GL and it was great but my older one has worked out he can throw his weight into it but it did make him more managable.  I do use a standard harness for going up the field and this seems to work well but if we are going anywhere different or walking through town where I need him to walk nicely the GL goes on.  I dont personally like the gentle controller as the more the dog pulls the more it tightens around their head.

Claire

I have tried the Halti's but gave up on them as it kept riding up into the eyes so switched to the gentle controller which is excellent but i have to agree with dvnbiker it does get tighter the more they pull and doesnt seem to loosen quickly so i tend not to use it unless absolutly nessecary. Now i use the half check which for normal walking is great but when (mainly buster) gets excited doesnt work that well. Hes 4 in july but heelwork is rubbish despite getting his gold award 1 year ago. His heelwork in class is excellent he'll do everything i ask him and more but as soon as i get outside the classroom hes back to pulling :( It is worse when hes excited and many times i have turned round and gone back home when all i want to do is have a long pleasent walk. We are getting there slowly he only pulls now when he gets excited which is a lot My neighbours know i'm mad so dont ask any questions lol.

Hi there Sonny

Glad I am not the only one with a dog that does it perfectly in class and dreadfully everywhere else.  He used to be good outside as well until we got our other dog and they are now both in competition and it is very hard to stop walking and try to communicate to one dog that they were pulling when the other wasnt, if you know what I mean.

Somebody did tell me to try a half check but I am unsure of them as I will not use a full check chain as I think they are cruel but this person said that the sound of the chain as they start pull can be a sign to them that they are to pull and they should stop without actually choking the dog provided you get a properly fitting one.  Any comments would be well received.

Claire

Hi Dvnbiker, You have described my two excactly. Bengi is our second dog and he walks lovely on the lead but buster is a pain. I thought we were getting somewhere with him and he was 2 at the time when we had bengi  but his heelwork is terrible he has to be in the lead and tonight he when he pulled he choked so much we had to cut the walk short :( Separately they walk lovely but together is a nightmare. If i take them together i have one in each hand buster has to be on my left though as thats his position, i do his training and OH does bengi's and occasionally we swap to keep them on their paws lol.
A crufts judge/champian/trainer/obiedence called george (sorry i cant remember his last name) reccommened that we get a 3 1/4 inch half check for bengi as he had problems with other dogs and would lunge/bark etc... so was advised to get one and do 3 short sharp tugs when he started. and it worked. So we got buster one (matching of course lol) and used the same techneique and he is better to control when walking. His main problem with heelwork is that he gets far too excited. We have a feild very close to us which he gets let off for ball play and no matter which direction we approach from and we can approach from 4 different ways he knows. Also any field he can be let off he knows that as well, he will pull like a train till he gets there then demands to have his game of ball OH gives in and lets him have his way :rollyeyes: I know what busters problems are but sorting them is harder to do. Like how do you stop him getting too excited? OH doesnt help by letting the dogs get away with murder. Buster doesnt leave him alone and demands to play ball in the house constantly and he lets him but he knows not to do it to me. Yes i play with both of them but on my terms not theirs. Bengi on the other hand is the perfect dog untill you see another dog then all hell brakes loose and controlling him (sometimes shouting LEAVE ) is hard when the other is dying to say hello but i cant because of bengi. Its better now than a year ago so hopefully by next year i should have 2 perfect dogs..... i can dream cant i.....

Hi Van

Happy New Year !

I have tried haltis with my two youngster hooligans and didn't really get on with them ! :)

We now use harnesses and find them very effective :) I have found it very useful for me as have a bad back and this is far less stress on me if I am taking them out together. They have now after six months progressed to normal slip leads as they are now used to walking to the heel through using the harness!

At 7 months there is still a way to go but you will get there ! ;)

Lucy
xx