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Halti headcollar

Last post 04-30-2008 9:39 AM by AgileGSD. 22 replies.
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  • 04-24-2008 6:06 PM

    Halti headcollar

    http://trainingandcontrol.petedge.com/Halti-Headcollars-WH522.pro?parentCategoryId=196&categoryId=305&subCategoryId=323

     

    I'm looking into buying some. These are cheaper than the brand name Gentle Leader. Should I just go with the more expensive route, or will/do these collars work just as well? (I personally really like that it attaches to the collar as well.. I wouldn't want to make owners use two leashes, and I don't think I'd trust just a plan face collar, but would like the leash also attacked to the collar. Just looks more sturdier.) 

     The gentle leader doesn't look to be very strong .. has anyone ever had any problems with very large out ofcontrol dogs and the gentle leader?
     



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  • 04-24-2008 6:42 PM In reply to tessa_s212

    Re: Halti headcollar

    Grrr! I just lost my response! Angry

    Anyway, they're virtually the same except for the extra strap. I've used them both. I actually added the extra strap to my GLs because my dogs have managed to squirm out of it and I was thankful for it!  

    Another option is the Easy Walk Harness with the attachment in front. But if it's a head halter you want, I prefer the Halti because of the extra strap.

    LSTM (Laughing Silently to Myself)

    Click Daily to Give Free Food and Care to Animals:
    http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3
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  • 04-24-2008 6:49 PM In reply to tessa_s212

    Re: Halti headcollar

    I have two 70lbs pit bulls whom I can now walk without the use of any walking tool and I only weigh 100lbs!

    First go to your local Petsmart and speak to a trainer about trying the different methods. They have them all there on hand for you to try in store before buying. This is a wonderful idea because different methods work for different dogs.

    Rory worked best with the Gentle Lead. The prong and choke she would allow to dig into her neck and cause abrasions so both were out of the question. She is a willful dog who is strong so any physical force made her want to fight back per say. The GL on the other hand is more like a mind trick, LOL. Sure she was pissed about it and would try to wipe it off but I would just pick up the pace and call her in a animted way to gain her attention. Anyhoo after about 2 months she got it down and we switched back to the flat collar. I found that a quick game of fetch or playing with a flirt pole prior to the walk helped ease extra tension and made it a bit easier for her to pay attention to me. Give plenty of praise when they are behaving and sometimes when they are being extra stubborn it is very helpful to just stop. Yup, just STOP walking. Once they sit or relax start up again and when they start to pull stop again. Your dog will think your crazy and it might take 15 minutes to get down the block but whatever works.

    Thats actually how I taught my male Primo to walk nicely on a leash. He did require a choke chain but that was only for when he wanted to bolt, thankfully he was a easy walker in general. For a month and a half my neighbors would all post up on the porch around 6:30 pm when it was time for Primo and I to walk. It took us 27 minutes to walk a 1/4 mile one time. I know you might be thinking "how stupid, why not just pull on that choke chain or whatever" but I was trying to prove a point to my husband that force is not neccessary. Sure it was time consuming but now it is ingrained in Primo's head. I just felt whats the point of having a big powerful dog if you have to rely upon a tool to control it. He is a big imposing looking guy, I'm a tiny female and I felt i really needed to have a handle on this guy plus my stuborness helped me stick to my goal. I cant say I'd preffer to train all my dogs this way, I wanted to give up, LOL but at the end I found that turning in the opposite direction at the last minute kept him eager to stay close and not pull.

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  • 04-24-2008 7:17 PM In reply to FourIsCompany

    Re: Halti headcollar

    FourIsCompany:

    Grrr! I just lost my response! Angry

    Anyway, they're virtually the same except for the extra strap. I've used them both. I actually added the extra strap to my GLs because my dogs have managed to squirm out of it and I was thankful for it!  

    Another option is the Easy Walk Harness with the attachment in front. But if it's a head halter you want, I prefer the Halti because of the extra strap.

     

     

    THANKYOU!!!! I've been looking all over the PetEdge website trying to find a harness that snaps in teh front, and simply cannot find one on the website. Arg.

    Hm.. well, I think what I will do is order one of each. I'm not ordering them in bulk right now. I've instead decided that I'd wait until the clients came to me, and then on first night would get all the collar business out of the way. Have examples of types of collars. Address and ask which collar type they'd like to use, and if they'd like(because I could buy in bulk perhaps) just make their checks payable to me and I can order them through PetEdge or some other mag/website.
     



    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-24-2008 7:24 PM In reply to AuroraLove

    Re: Halti headcollar

    AuroraLove:

    I have two 70lbs pit bulls whom I can now walk without the use of any walking tool and I only weigh 100lbs!

    First go to your local Petsmart and speak to a trainer about trying the different methods. They have them all there on hand for you to try in store before buying. This is a wonderful idea because different methods work for different dogs.

    Rory worked best with the Gentle Lead. The prong and choke she would allow to dig into her neck and cause abrasions so both were out of the question. She is a willful dog who is strong so any physical force made her want to fight back per say. The GL on the other hand is more like a mind trick, LOL. Sure she was pissed about it and would try to wipe it off but I would just pick up the pace and call her in a animted way to gain her attention. Anyhoo after about 2 months she got it down and we switched back to the flat collar. I found that a quick game of fetch or playing with a flirt pole prior to the walk helped ease extra tension and made it a bit easier for her to pay attention to me. Give plenty of praise when they are behaving and sometimes when they are being extra stubborn it is very helpful to just stop. Yup, just STOP walking. Once they sit or relax start up again and when they start to pull stop again. Your dog will think your crazy and it might take 15 minutes to get down the block but whatever works.

    Thats actually how I taught my male Primo to walk nicely on a leash. He did require a choke chain but that was only for when he wanted to bolt, thankfully he was a easy walker in general. For a month and a half my neighbors would all post up on the porch around 6:30 pm when it was time for Primo and I to walk. It took us 27 minutes to walk a 1/4 mile one time. I know you might be thinking "how stupid, why not just pull on that choke chain or whatever" but I was trying to prove a point to my husband that force is not neccessary. Sure it was time consuming but now it is ingrained in Primo's head. I just felt whats the point of having a big powerful dog if you have to rely upon a tool to control it. He is a big imposing looking guy, I'm a tiny female and I felt i really needed to have a handle on this guy plus my stuborness helped me stick to my goal. I cant say I'd preffer to train all my dogs this way, I wanted to give up, LOL but at the end I found that turning in the opposite direction at the last minute kept him eager to stay close and not pull.

     

     

    Unfortunatley, there are just no  good local petstores. I will not support a petstore that sells puppies, and I do not believe the local petstores even sell quality training tools.

    My own dogs do not need them. I am purchasing them for students in my upcoming training classes. I would prefer to encourage my students to train in the most humane and positive way possible, and would like to always first attempt head collars and plain buckles before ever resorting to chokes or prongs. (And woudl rather resort to a prong first before a choke.) 

     Has anyone else ever had problems with the dogs slipping out of the gentle leader? The head halti is cheaper, and just seems safer. I think I may be going that route.

     

    BTW, GOOD for you for proving that point! Dog training needn't always involve force. :)
     



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  • 04-24-2008 8:31 PM In reply to tessa_s212

    • erica1989
    • Top 50 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-21-2007
    • Clearwater, Florida
    • Posts 2,709
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    Re: Halti headcollar

    Petsmart, and even Target, sell the easy-walk brand things. I got Casey an easy-walk harness there.

    I've only used the gentle leader a few times, but I've never had a problem with it. I would watch the DVD that comes with it, and make sure you know how to use it properly. Like any training tool - there are right and wrong ways to use it. Using it the wrong way can lead to as much damage as using a choke.

    Please make sure you know how to use it before having others use it. I would much prefer using the easy-walk harness.



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  • 04-25-2008 4:26 PM In reply to erica1989

    • aerial1313
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-12-2008
    • Atlanta, GA
    • Posts 445
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    Re: Halti headcollar

    erica1989:

    I would much prefer using the easy-walk harness.

    I don't have any experience with the head halters, but I LOVE the Easy Walk.  Harry is an awful puller, so I bought the Easy Walk (online) and it is awesome.  I bought it as a training tool, so I hope to be able to discontinue using it after a while.  But I like that his neck and head are free from harm, and the front attachment works really well for when he does reach the end of the leash, especially if I stop moving at that point.  I also found it pretty easy to fit to him, once I was able to get him to stop trying to chew on the thing while I tried to fit it, LOL!



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  • 04-25-2008 4:49 PM In reply to aerial1313

    Re: Halti headcollar

    I use the Halti Head Halter for Maze, who is part Ox Lol.. If it's put on properly then the dog shouldn't be able to pull his/her nose out of it. If it can be removed by scratching then it is too lose and should be tightened. My neighbor using one for her Rotti/Lab mix after she saw how well it worked on Maze and she loves it. The dog doesn't mind it too much but they get used to it. Maze dances when she sees hers but then turns her head and pouts when I put it on..  

    ~Kitty

    Rest In Peace Crombie. You will be greatly missed - 07/25/2007 - 05/??/2008
    -I may have ears and a tail but I'm still the person you used to know-
    He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

    babies
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  • 04-25-2008 5:03 PM In reply to oranges81

    Re: Halti headcollar

    Have you used head collars for training? If not, you may want to research them a bit more, as they are not the "gentle" tool they are made out to be. This is a good article:

    http://www.flyingdogpress.com/headhalters.html

     I don't care at all for any of the no pull harnesses either and have yet to see them work well on a dedicated puller.

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  • 04-25-2008 5:07 PM In reply to AgileGSD

    Re: Halti headcollar

    LOL Funny! I just came across this article with a similar view and thought to post it here.

    Not so Gentle Leader

    LSTM (Laughing Silently to Myself)

    Click Daily to Give Free Food and Care to Animals:
    http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3
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  • 04-25-2008 5:22 PM In reply to FourIsCompany

    Re: Halti headcollar

    I read that too before I bought the Halti.. Lol. I still use it only because Maze is some how pulling out the fur with her flat collars.. She can walk just fine with out *unless there's a raccoon* but I found it also keeps her focused on me. 

    ~Kitty

    Rest In Peace Crombie. You will be greatly missed - 07/25/2007 - 05/??/2008
    -I may have ears and a tail but I'm still the person you used to know-
    He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

    babies
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  • 04-25-2008 8:40 PM In reply to oranges81

    • erica1989
    • Top 50 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-21-2007
    • Clearwater, Florida
    • Posts 2,709
    • Points 260

    Re: Halti headcollar

    Have you tried a martingale collar? They are great for collar slippers - I used one on Casey, and I'm able to walk him on any collar now because he doesn't know he can slip out.

    I've use the easy-walk harness on many dogs, with great success. With shelters dogs, you get any bad pullers - and this harness is the only thing that works on them. Regular harnesses just make them pull more.... IME



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  • 04-26-2008 9:41 AM In reply to erica1989

    Re: Halti headcollar

     I'm aware of the precautions that should be taken with the gentle leader. I have been both on forums that believe almost entirely in nothing but positive reinforcement and forums that are fully for coercive training.  As with all forums, the topics come up several times and have read both sides. I've read articles against it, read praises for it, and read a Gentle Leader manual.  So far I have seen the positives largely outweigh the negatives. Of course if a dog simply did not adjust to it, there's no point in continuing to fight with the dog. That is not what we are trying to cooperate. We want a team that will cooperate and work together, not two individuals constantly fighting with one another. And the plan to use this tool was to wean off as soon as possible, not a life long or long term training tool. And in comparing the head halti and gentle leader(I've decided to go with head halti), it doesn't look nearly as menacing. More straps, but fits differently than the GL.

    I'm ordering from PetEdge. Unfortunately, they do not carry Easy Walk Harnesses, or I would order a few as well.  I've liked these much longer than I have the head collars. (And of course, have always advised against regular harnesses that snap to the leash on the back for pullers because that only helps to encourage pulling.)

     I at one time bought Martingale collars in bulk for dogs at the HS where I work for they were slipping out of their collars. Though we told everyone to keep them, still employees sent dogs home with them, so unfortunately we no longer have them. I am already purchasing the martingale collar(though PetEdge only carries those that have chain with nylon, rather that just all nylon.) On my website it states that training collars will be discussed the first night. This collar will be shown along with the choke, prong, head collar, harnesses(for small dogs prone to trachea problems), and the easy walk harness(can't buy myself to have as an example there, but can have picture and describe how it works). All collars will be an option, depending on the dog and what the owner feels comfortable using, so long as they behave true to our name "Positive Possibilities"(ie: I will not allow harsh/abusive training and training should be fun and good experience for both dog and handler).
     

     



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  • 04-26-2008 9:54 AM In reply to tessa_s212

    Re: Halti headcollar

    Boy, I can tell stories of my searches of head halters *G*.

    I have a Gentle Leader for Gaci, which fits very well. She used to be terrified of it, and I had put it away for a year and a half, but eventually I brought it back out and, after reconditioning her to it, she takes to it much better than she used to.

    When we first moved to the city, Shimmer found the environment very stimulating and until I could work to teach walking nicely on a leash, I needed something for management. So knowing how well it worked for Gaci, I went out and bought another GL. Bad luck. It didn't fit her head right at all. If she pulled into the GL, the nose strap would actually pull back and cause her to squint, and rub up under her eye. It was fitted properly, but it didn't fit her nose right, and it wanted to move around on her neck, even though it was tight as it needed to be. I tried both the small and the medium, and both were not working. I bought a small halti (Size 1), and the neck strap was HUGE! I couldn't make it small enough to fit her neck. They have ordered a Size 0 (yorkie size?), but in the meantime I found another brand name called Avenue, which is basically identical to a Halti, except the neck strap seems to be more secure. But it has the construction like the halti with the extra strap, and it doesn't ride up if she happens to pull, and she took to it much better than the GL.

    I have found they work well, but they don't tend to be a permanent fix. Ify ou aren't teaching with it, dogs CAN learn to pull against the GL by positioning their head and shoulders just right. It works best when working with teaching programs.

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  • 04-26-2008 10:01 AM In reply to Kim_MacMillan

    Re: Halti headcollar

    Oh, and I do love the front-clip harnesses as well. I have had success for pulling with them, however if it's head control you need, head halters are a better bet if the dog will tolerate them. But the harnesses work really well for pulling in general.

    I'm not a fan of head halters in general either, and there are specific dogs I would never use one on, and it really needs to be used as recommended to be low-risk, but that's the line that I draw personally when it comes to tools. If it caused pain in my girls, I wouldn't use it. Period. But I know with them, and how we use it, it doesn't not cause pain or discomfort, so that's how I see it. Of course there are risks with it, I hope nobody thinks that there aren't. But there are risks with ALL collars, and for many dogs the risks of a GL can be lower than the risks of using a plain flat collar or martingale if a dog is a dedicated puller.

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