Halti training

    • Silver

    Halti training

    Need some help getting my dog used to a Halti-she really pulls on the lease and a read on this site that the Halti might be a good idea.  I am having bad luck getting her to leave it on for even a minute without going crazy trying to get it off.  Any  hints?
    • Gold Top Dog
    First make sure its correctly fitted so it doesn't rub and she can't get out of it.
    Second, to give you more control and as an extra safety measure get a double end for your regular lead so you can attach one end to the halti and another to the flat collar.
    Thirdly, if you have a foody dog try putting the headcollar on before a meal or when giving a yummy bone.... the dog should be too busy to notice it and it will help build a positive association.
    Lastly, lots of dogs hate the headcollar no matter what you do but most get accustomed to it in time.  Put it on 15 minutes before you go for a walk.  This is usually enough time for the dog to give up trying to take it off and if the dog hasn't managed to get it off by then he isn't likely to so you'll know it's fitted right.
     
    I know of quite a few people who didn't get on with the halti at all and preferred the gentle leader or easy walk harness.  I've also heard good things of the dogmatic (another headcollar device but made of leather).  Must stress that no training aid is a substitute for good groundwork in heeling off lead in the house and garden coupled with loose lead training (stopping when they pull or turning and walking the other way).
     
    Having said that, please don't turn and walk the other way sharply when the dog is wearing a headcollar, don't let her pull and lunge on it and don't yank on it.  This is very very very bad for the neck muscles.  You need to be very gentle when you're using a headcollar.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Here's a great website with multiple videos explaining how many of the top trainers/behaviorists desensitize dogs to, and train them to accept, head halters. It's a fabulous site with very educational videos, even though I have yet to watch ALL of them. :-) Has videos of Dr. Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Terry Ryan, Becky Schultz, Dr. Karen Overall, and more.

    [linkhttp://dufferschultz.com/]http://dufferschultz.com/[/link]

    Kim MacMillan

    • Gold Top Dog
    That's a great link, Kim - thanks for posting it.  Now, I have somewhere to send my clients for an additional looksee at the GL in action. [:)]
    • Silver
    Thanks for the help!  Videos were great and the hint about giving a treat and letting the dogs put their own nose thru the harness was great.  Not walking on a lease with it yet but they are leaving it on for a few minutes without going crazy.  Will keep working on.  Love this forum I have already gotten a lot of great advice in a short time and see the dogs moving forward in their training and behavior.  
    • Gold Top Dog
    That's good to hear - and if by chance the Halti doesn't turn out to be right for your dog, you can always try the Easy Walk Harness.
    www.premierpet.com 

    • Gold Top Dog
    Before you jump on the headcollar bandwagon, take a gander at this article from esteemed positive trainer Suzanne Clothier.
    [linkhttp://flyingdogpress.com/headhalters.html/]http://flyingdogpress.com/headhalters.html/[/link]
    • Gold Top Dog
    And on the flip side of the coin......

    [linkhttp://www.pets.f9.co.uk/casehistories/dogstoday/dt-1003.htm]http://www.pets.f9.co.uk/casehistories/dogstoday/dt-1003.htm[/link]

    There's also a second article, same site, dealing with a wolf hybrid but I can't get it to work unfortunately.

    My personal feeling is I don't particularly like headcollars for a number of reasons, and the flyingdogpress article is a very good one, but it's always nice to see both sides of an issue so you can make an informed decision.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I personally prefer front-clip harnesses to head halters, for different reasons (safety concerns are one reason), however for some dogs these can be effective tools if needed and used for the right dog (there are some dogs I would not ever recommend them for if I were to make recommendations). But because the author asked specifically about head halters, I see it fitting that we answer the question they had in mind.[:)]

    And yes, there is always two sides to every story of course. It's up to each individual dogparent what tool best meets their needs, and what is the safest tool for their dog.
     
    Kim MacMillan