Gentle Leader Vs Halti

• Gentle Leader Vs Halti jennie_c_d Posted : 3/12/2006 10:45:01 PM I know they're built a little differently, but is one better than the other? Haltis seem to be less expensive everywhere. I'm not considering one for either of the current dogs, but I am considering raising my future (imaginary, breed not yet decided, far in the future) large breed puppy on one, so he never learns to pull. LIKE 15 REPLIES 1104 VIEWS LAST POST SILLYSALLY Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• grab01 Posted : 3/13/2006 1:07:32 AM I haven't noted too much of a difference as far as usage. My Basset, who has since passed, could wear a Halti, but we generally stuck with the Gentle Leader, as  I could use it for both she and my Chow.  She always had to wear a head halter, as she never pulled, but she had the 'big neck little head' syndrome and I didn't want her collar slipping off at an inopportune time.   Neither of my boys, a yorkie and a Chow Chow, fit any of the haltis.  they slip right off.  I think Gentle Leader has a greater ability to fit dogs with different muzzle types.  However, if your dog fits in a halti (I'd suggest trying it on) I haven't noticed a significant difference in usage 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Mic Posted : 3/13/2006 8:37:30 AM I MUCH prefer the GL.  I find that it fits better, and I think it allows for more control . 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Chris Posted : 3/13/2006 11:04:34 AM As you know, the method that both of these leads use to minimize pulling is identical, so in that respect, there is no difference. The Gentle Leader would be my choice because of the sliding adjustment under the chin. You can start it off a little tighter for that crucial breaking-in period (where your dog is constantly trying to push it off), and loosen it when he gets the hang of it. Ideally though, you should never have to use either one.  Patient, consistent practice with a regular collar and lead should yield better results.  If you're starting out with a puppy, IMHO, there is really no reason to introduce these training crutches.  Bad habits haven't been learned yet... 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Mic Posted : 3/13/2006 11:16:50 AM Jennie is planning on using the tool as a shaping device.  Not a crutch.  Using a GL from the get go prevents the puppy from ever learning bad habits, and the pup can normally be taken off at about 5 months.  It is a nice easy way to teach a pup the proper way to walk with out needing practice. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jennie_c_d Posted : 3/13/2006 12:22:28 PM Exactly. What Mic said made good sense to me, so I may try it. I've not had success introducing a head collar to a partially grown dog, but I don't see where it would be any different than introducing a harness or regular collar to a young puppy. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Chris Posted : 3/13/2006 2:14:01 PM "It is a nice easy way to teach a pup the proper way to walk with out needing practice." I guess my use of the word 'crutch' is the controversy here. I view it is a crutch because there's no trainer interaction involved, it's all about the device. Take away the device, and you take away the training...much the same way a limping person would fall if you kicked his crutch out from under him. The point of the post was the preference though, so I maintain that GL is my choice for fit and convenience. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jennie_c_d Posted : 3/13/2006 2:20:31 PM The idea is that I'm rewarding his loose leash walking and by the time he's 5-6 months old, he's doing it on a regular, flat collar. I'm a smallish person, looking at dogs that range from 60-85 pounds as adults. I am fully capable of walking an untrained dog much larger than that, but I'd prefer to be comfortable while walking my pup. I do have a basic understanding of shaping behaviors, and will be using the device simply to shape the behavior in the puppy. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Chris Posted : 3/13/2006 2:43:08 PM Shaping a behaviour refers to rewarding intermediate actions that approach the final or desired behaviour, like clicker training.  A GL is not a shaping device, it is a correction device.  When the pup pulls, it gets corrected, when the leash is loose, no consequence. Again, I'm not saying that it's not effective.  It is very effective.  But I would personally prefer to build on a training based on my direction, not a device. There's really no debate here, you have your preferences, and I have mine.  Good luck with your new pup! [] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Mic Posted : 3/13/2006 2:51:37 PM Not to debate, but a GL can be used as a shaping device using a reward system, just as a leash an collar can.  There is a process using a GL from puppyhood that allows you to capture and shape the heeling behavior from a very young age, while never having to deal with pulling. No differrent than luring and shaping on a standard flat collar.      0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Chris Posted : 3/13/2006 2:54:45 PM True enough Mic, but that requires practice and handler interaction.  The GL is secondary, and not even required.  As you said, no different than luring and shaping on a standard flat collar. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Mic Posted : 3/13/2006 3:08:23 PM The reason I started using this method is becuase the average owner just isn't consistent enough to prevent the dog from pulling every time they leash it up.  With the GL the dog's training  doesn't suffer because of there inconsistency. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jennie_c_d Posted : 3/13/2006 10:41:18 PM And being a not quite average, but rather novice owner, I *AM* inconsistent. I will be lax at times and forget to watch the pup for pulling. The GL will help with where I am not the best trainer. I have very little PR training experience. I've yet to raise a pup without corrections. The next pup will be all positive, with very little correction (what I'm doing with my dogs now is "uh uh" when they do something they shouldn't and throw a party when they do something they should). I'm going to need all the help I can get, and I think using a GL to get a firm grasp on the concept will be helpful. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• huskymom Posted : 3/13/2006 11:14:09 PM Its too late for my girls not to learn to pull in the first place.  However in the future if I were to use a GL for a new pup so that it doesnt learn to pull, will it interfere with learning to pull in harness?  My dogs are sled dogs after all.  But it would be nice to have one that walks well on leash from the start. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Mic Posted : 3/14/2006 10:08:19 AM You should not have an issue training them to pull.  I have yet to come across a well bred husky that doesn't thrive at pulling when given the opp. no matter how it was originally trained.  I think the GL from puppy hood technique would be a huge asset to artic breed owners. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login