Halti head collars

[Foxtrot_s]

Our Boxer puppy has been gong to school, but I found her enthusiasm made her pull through the chain collars. I just don’t have the wrist strength to give that quick, strong, instantaneous jerk. I tended to give a pull and she was not learning. On top of that I felt like a **** constantly missing the timing, etc.

So a friend of mine who is not a dog person said she had good luck with her wild German Shepherd X with a Halti. A lady in the dog class loaned me hers for the class and what a difference it made.

As a horse person it made sense to me. I could be light on her and she works in it like an angel. We even gave agility a go and she was amazing.

So, while I had seen the things, had no idea of how they worked, etc…for us, they are the answer. She is so smart and friendly and outward going, it was a shame to be always on her case - I want to keep that joi de vivre.

The recall needs work…

[chestnutmarebeware]

I sometimes use one on my 60-pound mutt, Scout, and love it (actually I think I have the generic version). The first time I used it he jumped around like a trout on a fishing line trying to dislodge it, but resistance was ultimately futile!

It’s especially helpful when we’re going someplace he knows is fun, like doggie daycare. He has a hard time containing his joy at times like those.

[Sugarwells]

Please toss the choke chain, that quick jerk can do some serious damage to your pup.

[Foxtrot_s]

The place to put the choke chain is up high behind the ears. It is supposed to be a quick jerk, not a strong pull…but if a dog is not responding, time to change tactics. Some day, she will be far enough along that she will barely need anything - choke or not.

With my horse, I just use the weight of the hasp, and this is how she is in the Halti.

I think some people who are not educated can use the choke wrong, or allow their frustrations to get the better of them.

[macmtn]

Where the head goes…the body follows

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8842830]
Our Boxer puppy has been gong to school, but I found her enthusiasm made her pull through the chain collars. I just don’t have the wrist strength to give that quick, strong, instantaneous jerk. I tended to give a pull and she was not learning. On top of that I felt like a **** constantly missing the timing, etc.
([/QUOTE]

I’d look for another trainer. You really shouldn’t need a choke collar or a halti. Even with quick reflexes, jerking on the neck just isn’t appropriate. If my agility trainer’s high drive all the time border collie puppy can walk politely on a flat buckle collar, it can be done. I teach mine to heel off leash using a combination of clicker and target stick, then add in a leash.

[Foxtrot_s]

Ouch. Like I said - the chain was not working, so I found a better solution. I don’t need a new trainer - she’s all I need…I’m not a newbie, but the Halti has been a good answer and how it worked or was used was new to me. I like the people I meet and the dogs she meets, it gets us out and we enjoy it.

She is going to be a good dog, smart, fun and willing. Some day she will be in a flat collar and my ambition is to take her to senior homes where a dog has to be exemplary. Right now she’s not ready, being rather enthusiastic, but I do like a light dog, same as my horses. With the Halti she is very light. THAT was the revelation.

Different strokes for different folks.

[Sugarwells]

[QUOTE=Marshfield;8843094]
I’d look for another trainer. You really shouldn’t need a choke collar or a halti. [/QUOTE]

This is very true.

[Bicoastal]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8843047]
I think some people who are not educated can use the choke wrong, or allow their frustrations to get the better of them.[/QUOTE]

Same with head halters. Remember there are lot of important points in the face and neck so always be gentle. Vets are seeing some serious damage from halters, so use common sense (which horse people tend to have more of :). We also tend to use corporal punishment. Never “pop” a halter. ).

Training her to put her face into the halter will save you both nuisance and empower her to welcome it. Remember to release her to “go sniff” as a reward and relaxation occasionally for her efforts in focus and loose leash walking.

A lot of pet owners start out with the goal of weaning off of no-pull harnesses or halters then get stuck relying on the equipment. Visualize how every situation, like class, would go without the halter and train for that.

[AMWookey]

I will look at home, but there are things like the halti, that work on the back of the head, as opposed to the nose, and ergonomically my vet/chiro for the dog told me its better, and dogs seem to like it better.

At first glance, it looks like a halti. Goes over the nose, and around the back. Instead of pulling at the nose though, it comes through and around to the back of the head. So controls the head/neck from behind, rather then running the risk of wrenching the neck around.

I have a 100lb Doberman who is a rescue. He does have protective instincts, but with the head collar on, I have complete control. (Although, before anyone jumps over us, we have switched to having a cage muzzle on him as well in situations we know his protective instincts come out. It’s to protect him more then anyone else. He has never bit, but he is getting older and I am not taking the chance)

[luvmyhackney]

I have used a Gentle Leader with my lab for years when the kids are walking her. She walks great on a regular collar with an adult or off lead with an adult that is paying attention, but it gives my kids a little extra control when something catches her eye. I have used it on my BILs pitt as well. I got tired of being dragged around , he has no leash manners. Works great when I pet sit him.

[bdj]

@Foxtrot's;8842830

As a horse person it made sense to me. I could be light on her and she works in it like an angel. We even gave agility a go and she was amazing.

OP, whether or not you continue to use the Halti for day to day training, please take it off anytime you’re doing agility, even if it’s just “playing” - it’s a major safety issue. There are too many straps and dangly bits on a Halti that could get caught on or in the agility equipment.

[Foxtrot_s]

^^^ good point - but we are not ready for the agility level yet - but I did go in the other night to watch - and then had a go at weave, teeter-totter, and a little jump. She was excellent.

There is a full grown Great Dane in our group who occasionally comes for the walks - they have had him a while but he came to them with dog aggression
issues from his past. He goes in a Halti.

Anyway, point of this was to say that there are alternatives if a dog does not go well in a chain set-up, or the owner does not have the right technique.

The last thing I would do is abuse my dog. My goal is always lightness, with my horse as well.

[Where_sMyWhite]

I tried a Gentle Leader, I think it was, on my 70lb Bouvier. Waste of time. They are not the perfect solution for all dogs IMO.

[Rhyadawn]

I’ve worked as a dog trainer for 5 years now. There’s a time and place for every tool in the toolbox.

As far as the Halti goes? I hate them. I much prefer a Gentle Leader or Newtrix head collar. The Halti doesn’t fit well or adjust properly, and I’ve seen too many dogs wriggle their way out of them and run into traffic. I no longer allow them in my classes.

Like any tool, they aren’t mean for long-term use. The idea is to use the tool while you train the behaviour you want, then wean off the tool.

[Foxtrot_s]

There is no one size fits all solutions … but a consistent approach, like with horses, is necessary.

It depends on the handler to - I expect to have a citizen, but am quiet in my approaches.

Interesting point about horse people tending to use corporal punishment - can’t speak to that, because my horse has never had a stick laid on her in punishment, just as an aid, or indication. But there may be groups who are more forceful.
My horse is an example of willingness, gentleness and seems to love her work.
I want that from my dog.

[AMWookey]

[QUOTE=Rhyadawn;8844083]
I’ve worked as a dog trainer for 5 years now. There’s a time and place for every tool in the toolbox.

As far as the Halti goes? I hate them. I much prefer a Gentle Leader or Newtrix head collar. The Halti doesn’t fit well or adjust properly, and I’ve seen too many dogs wriggle their way out of them and run into traffic. I no longer allow them in my classes.

Like any tool, they aren’t mean for long-term use. The idea is to use the tool while you train the behaviour you want, then wean off the tool.[/QUOTE]

Newtrix is what we use. He gets it when we are out in public in a ground for a little extra control.

[Foxtrot_s]

The Halti is attached to the collar, sort of safety link. It is new to me but works wonders and seems to have worked for many other dogs, too, from what I hear.

I’m not defending it, or any other gizmo, just wanted to say that when one system does not work for your dog, another might.

[french_fry]

I much prefer halters or head collars to choke chains - I see way too many people start to lean on choke chains (not saying the OP is one of them!) and while halters come with their own risks, I think they’re generally gentler because they make it nearly impossible for the dog to lean on them and start a pulling match.

I don’t like the quick choke chain correction, either, but even that is much better than letting a dog strangle himself on a collar or harness.

I will just reiterate that you should always use a back up collar with a halter. I think some of the newer models have a snap or something that clips to the regular collar but if not a carabiner is pretty easy. It is super easy for dogs to slip out of head collars.

[vxf111]

Whether I would use a halti in other circumstances-- I would not use it for agility even if just working informally. Too many things to get caught on. A teeter is something you could get caught on/have a real problem with. I really would not be doing contacts at all with a dog wearing a halti. I really think you’re best doing agility off leash-- I didn’t even really feel comfortable starting out with a regular collar/leash-- but you do have to start somewhere. If agility is causing your dog to pull, your dog isn’t ready for agility yet. So whether you use it for other circumstances, I would really caution you against using the halti for agility. There are certainly different tools for different situations but safety should come first-- and a dog should not be negotiating obstacles with loose/dangling straps that could get caught. Even if not loose, IMHO too much by way of straps to feel safe it won’t get caught.