Battle of the Headcollars - Halti vs. Gentle Leader

[lauble]

Hi all,
Have to say I'm a fan of the Halti (have a dog that is headstrong when walking). I would like to add that my dog IS trained - but he is unpredictable when he sees something that looks like it needs to be chased. It bothers me a little to read someone berating someone else regarding their collar/halter choice - as far as I am concerned, if it helps you spend time with your dog in a way that is safe FOR BOTH OF YOU, what is the problem? As for the dog "not being trained" because a halter is used - if your dog IS trained, why are you using a pronged collar (isn't that the same solution in a differnt package)???

[king2005]

Some dogs will never be leash trained because of their personality. Digi is a great walker (heels), but if given the chance she will chase or run around like a crazy dog on speed. Digi always walks with a loose leash & she wears a halti. I use the Halti for those OMG WHATS THAT I WANNA SEE IT OMG OMG OMG, I see & hear nothing else.

It's just the type of dog she is. She will not obey when shes in that mindset & she can not be trusted either. She also doesn't pull on a collar, but due to her being a bag of bones, I can't keep her collar on tight as it'll choak the life out of her (no meat/fat to protect her throat).. it has to be a large dog collar & on loose. So when I walk her with it, the collar falls off & then she runs around like a dog on speed. Shes never managed to get the halti off, not even when she's scared & tries to back up hard. Its on her tight & it's fitted properly.

When it's time to go outside, she jumps trying to get her nose through the halti & is nothing but pure excitement.

I see the halti as a training device where the dog is less likely to get away & run over while being trained. Same with the Prong Collar. However the Prong Collar is too dangerous to use on Digi & she doesn't need it as shes not a puller.

Oh & sure some people think the halti is a muzzle, but I correct them. However most people don't even notice it (its red, hard not too) until they are already petting & getting kisses from her & then they ask, does she even need a muzzle? is she dog aggressive? .. nope & nope.. Just an alternative device to walk her with.. she likes it, doesn't hurt her & I'm always in control, so its great. She attracts crowds of people when we're downtown Toronto. I don't mean 1-2 people, I mean 10+ people.. it's nuts, I never gt anywhere I need to go So you can't tell me it's making her scary.. I'm fairly anti social so all those people are mostly unwanted within my bubble. But Digi does LOVE it & they love her, so why not..

[IRescue452]

I prefer to use a regular dog harness and loop a flat leash around the stomach. I've yet to meet a dog who has had to have the leash tighten around the stomach more than once before they walk nicely. It may seem mean because they normally overreact when they first get the sensation of tightening around the midsection, but I believe it is less harmful than the neck or head. It also allows them the freedom to sniff around a bit since their head isn't involved.

I do not consider controlled walks at heel to be enriching exercise, be it a walk around the block or 5 miles at heel. That kind of walk does nothing for the dog's brain and can hardly be expected as a release for their pent-up boredom. If you have a dog you simply can't walk on a loose lead then you need to find a way to get that dog some off-leash exercise in a safe area.