Halti vs. Gentle leader

[Rachel]

I would like to know people's opinions of the Halti head collar versus the Gentle Leader. I recently bought my dog a Halti. It does not seem to fit her correctly it looks tight around her lips but it is not tight across her nose...the muzzle area is a fixed size so i'm wondering if I should try a Gentle Leader which looks like it is more adjustable. She can eat treats while wearing it so maybe it is not too small?

I was just wondering who has used what and which they liked better.

Thanks,
Rachel

[Summer Magic]

I don't think the Halti is intended to be tight around the muzzle. Magic has one and the only time it "tightens" down on her muzzle is when she lunges or pulls on the lead.

[aussiesmum]

Didn't realize there was a difference, but I found this along the way... about fitting and training with both...

http://www.doglogic.com/halter.htm

and another alternative...

http://www.snootloop.com/

[Rachel]

Nice site thank you!

I think maybe I need to adjust the neck collar to be a little smaller. That might then bring the muzzle part up to where it should be on her face. I will try that tonight.


Rachel

[Laura Redhawk]

Hi Rachel!
I've only used the GL on Hannah, so I don't have much to compare to the Halti. I can say that Hannah really dislikes wearing it, although she has accepted that IT means going for a walk. It works by creating pressure on the back of the dog's head, just where it meets the neck. This is a pressure point (located on pretty much all creatures, including humans.) When pressure is applied there endorphines are also released. This causes both a release of internal pressures and pleasure.

Also it works on the same concept as a halter does on a horse, Control the Head and the Body MUST follow.

One important point to keep in mind with the GL and I would assume the Halti, is that when using one...YOU do not jerk, yank, or pull on the dog. Doing so CAN CAUSE neck, shoulder and back PAIN and possible muscle injury that you might not be aware of, because most animals aren't overly demonstrative of discomfort until it becomes fairly unbearable for them. However, even before it becomes more acute, it can have profound effects on their behaviors, and training ability, because it hurts!

Unfortunately I've caught students in "live" training classes who thought that since it was not a pinch or choke there was little or no chance to cause harm, and simply tug away! But, even a flat collar can cause muscle injury if the dog is being jerked about with it, of course with a choke it's fairly a sure thing to cause pain and a pinch...you'd THINK folks would ASSUME that you don't need to do anything but hold on and allow the dog to correct its self...but there too, I've seen more than one oops that needed, assistance and education. (lets try something TOTALLY DIFFERENT, SHALL WE! YIPS!)

Hannah is by nature, being a crossbred Husky-GSD, very gung-ho about pulling. So far, nothing I've tried has over-ridden her desire, need, or belief that doing so is not acceptable. I've NOT managed to find anything that will successfully combat this "distraction" with the exception of her GL. That...causes a profound change in her behavior...like instant CALM. She listens to my verbal requests and just fully cuts back her over-drive. But, if we are not walking, and occasionally even when we are walking, she'll drop her front end (thankfully only on grass) and move forward while trying to "rub it off of her." Clearly, she isn't pleased with it, but will allow me to put it on with little "fuss" because normally I ONLY use it when she is going to get a good walk.

You wouldn't think a piddly little 35/40 pound dog could practically dislocate one's shoulder, but she almost did twice. She'll be 3 in June, so who knows...another year or two and maybe she'll be "grown up!"
Wags
Laura



I would like to know people's opinions of the Halti head collar versus the Gentle Leader. I recently bought my dog a Halti. It does not seem to fit her correctly it looks tight around her lips but it is not tight across her nose...the muzzle area is a fixed size so i'm wondering if I should try a Gentle Leader which looks like it is more adjustable. She can eat treats while wearing it so maybe it is not too small?

I was just wondering who has used what and which they liked better.

Thanks,
Rachel