Halti or no-pull harness and muzzle?

Molly+Eva · 05-21-2011, 10:27 AM

My 3 year old female GSD has some fear aggression/reactive issues, particularly on walks, in addition to a habit of pulling on the leash. Not too long ago I got a gentle leader for her, which, in addition to some training has done pretty well in helping her learn not to pull but mainly makes it easier for me to gain control of her and redirect her when triggered by another dog.
However, like all other dogs, she hates the **** thing, and I don't blame her: even though I always check to assure it's fitted correctly it always loosens and rides up by her eyes by the end of a walk.

I have heard better things about the Halti when it comes to fit/comfort and the Halti would also offer the same control that I like in the GL. However if I was a dog I still wouldn't want to be led around by my face.
So my other consideration is perhaps getting a no-pull harness in combination with a cage muzzle.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks everybody!

Zisso · 05-21-2011, 11:05 AM

I have had a halti for years. Just last week I tried the GL. I took it right back. I think the Halti is more comfortable looking and it seems to have a longer lead under the dogs muzzle. My boy will let me do anything to him, but he fought the GL like crazy and he has never ever fought the halti like that. I also have a Sense-ation Harness from Leerburg but I do not like the way it fits my dogs. So I stick to the Halti, mainly for my female for extra control when we are doing socialization work, and prong collars for walks.

JazzNScout · 05-22-2011, 04:14 PM

Grrrr. You all have opened my eyes. I used a halti on my Morgan (RIP), which worked like magic. No problems whatsoever. I kept hearing that the Gentle Leader was better. Bought one for Layla and she hates it. She goes up to people, and they think: Oh, how cute, she wants to be petted. In reality, she rubs her face on their legs trying to get the dang thing off. Maybe I'll go back to the Halti. Didn't realize there was such a difference.

Jax's Mom · 05-22-2011, 04:45 PM

I like the halti too. Except Hudini (Jax) has a way to instantly slip out of his... He just flips his head back and pulls at just the right angle, if I don't react quick enough, it's just a necklace

Ucdcrush · 05-23-2011, 12:03 AM

Another vote for the Halti. I've never had any issues with it loosening noticeably during a walk, but I notice after a few weeks of use I might need to readjust it. I never got the feeling my dog thinks he's being led around by the face

With a reactive dog, it's a good thing to have control of the head, so you can help them redirect their gaze.. or if they go nuts, they are easier to handle.

Molly+Eva · 05-24-2011, 07:06 PM

Just got her a Halti the other day, wow, it is leaps and bounds better than the Gentle Leader. Same level of control but a much more pleasant experience for her. Thanks again everyone!

RG518 · 05-26-2011, 12:27 AM

Arwen is my "wild child" She will not let me put a Gentle Leader on her..No way!! I use the Easy Walk harness by Gentle Leader. The leash attaches to the front of the chest. I walk both Arwen and Kodiak together everyday with these harnesses and I have no issues with pulling and I can keep her under control in those instances where she gets reactive about another dog or a squirrel.

Rosa · 05-26-2011, 06:47 AM

Another Halti user here. I think they are great and worked wonders with my boys!

mthurston0001 · 05-26-2011, 07:29 AM

Dogs are clearly a preditor, don't believe me just open your pet's mouth and take a peek at all those big sharp white things. It's all fine and dandy to wear for a horse or even a cow, but I beleive this to be one reason many dogs have a problem wearing the GL or halti. Many dogs take issue with a muzzle for the same reason. None the less, lets all remember that collars, leashes, harness, etc. are all tools that can be used to reach a specific goal. Think of it this way, if you buy a hammer you use it to build the dog house but clearly it will not build the dog house on it's own.

Caledon · 05-26-2011, 01:10 PM

With the halti, you can pull up on the leash and the dog's mouth will close, so in tight situations it can be uses like a muzzle.

Dakota is getting better, but for a time she reacted to some dogs. When we are out in the halti I find that I can pass dogs on a boardwalk and not have her react. I do place her on the other side of me so that we do not pass, dog to dog.

With a halti you can attach one end of the leash to the halti and the other end attached to the dogs collar (double clipped leash) and steer them. One hand is controlling the head via the halti and the other hand is giving extra control on the collar. Takes some cordination but practice before you need it.

05-21-2011, 10:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Molly+Eva New Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: West Virginia Posts: 9	Halti or no-pull harness and muzzle? My 3 year old female GSD has some fear aggression/reactive issues, particularly on walks, in addition to a habit of pulling on the leash. Not too long ago I got a gentle leader for her, which, in addition to some training has done pretty well in helping her learn not to pull but mainly makes it easier for me to gain control of her and redirect her when triggered by another dog. However, like all other dogs, she hates the **** thing, and I don't blame her: even though I always check to assure it's fitted correctly it always loosens and rides up by her eyes by the end of a walk. I have heard better things about the Halti when it comes to fit/comfort and the Halti would also offer the same control that I like in the GL. However if I was a dog I still wouldn't want to be led around by my face. So my other consideration is perhaps getting a no-pull harness in combination with a cage muzzle. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks everybody!

05-21-2011, 11:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zisso Knighted Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,001	I have had a halti for years. Just last week I tried the GL. I took it right back. I think the Halti is more comfortable looking and it seems to have a longer lead under the dogs muzzle. My boy will let me do anything to him, but he fought the GL like crazy and he has never ever fought the halti like that. I also have a Sense-ation Harness from Leerburg but I do not like the way it fits my dogs. So I stick to the Halti, mainly for my female for extra control when we are doing socialization work, and prong collars for walks. __________________ Nadia - GSD -DOB 12-29-07 Zisso - GSD- DOB 9-16-07 Pepe & Kiki`my sweet kitties Zisso is my heart~Nadia is my Love~My kitties bring me everything in between~Together they bring me Joy!

05-22-2011, 04:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
JazzNScout Master Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Land of the Chupacabra Posts: 665	Grrrr. You all have opened my eyes. I used a halti on my Morgan (RIP), which worked like magic. No problems whatsoever. I kept hearing that the Gentle Leader was better. Bought one for Layla and she hates it. She goes up to people, and they think: Oh, how cute, she wants to be petted. In reality, she rubs her face on their legs trying to get the dang thing off. Maybe I'll go back to the Halti. Didn't realize there was such a difference. __________________ Spending more than a few hours a day in a forum is unhealthy and makes people mean

05-23-2011, 12:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ucdcrush Master Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 661	Another vote for the Halti. I've never had any issues with it loosening noticeably during a walk, but I notice after a few weeks of use I might need to readjust it. I never got the feeling my dog thinks he's being led around by the face With a reactive dog, it's a good thing to have control of the head, so you can help them redirect their gaze.. or if they go nuts, they are easier to handle. __________________ Proud papa of Riku and Tuki. RIP Dana.

05-26-2011, 12:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
RG518 Master Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 906	Arwen is my "wild child" She will not let me put a Gentle Leader on her..No way!! I use the Easy Walk harness by Gentle Leader. The leash attaches to the front of the chest. I walk both Arwen and Kodiak together everyday with these harnesses and I have no issues with pulling and I can keep her under control in those instances where she gets reactive about another dog or a squirrel. __________________ Roseann Arwen-GSD born 3-30-09 Kodiak CGC-GSD born 12-5-07 Rosie-draft cross mare RIP My Dear Joshua 9/20/07-my buddy

05-22-2011, 04:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jax's Mom Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,227	I like the halti too. Except Hudini (Jax) has a way to instantly slip out of his... He just flips his head back and pulls at just the right angle, if I don't react quick enough, it's just a necklace

05-24-2011, 07:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Molly+Eva New Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: West Virginia Posts: 9	Just got her a Halti the other day, wow, it is leaps and bounds better than the Gentle Leader. Same level of control but a much more pleasant experience for her. Thanks again everyone!

05-26-2011, 06:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rosa Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 190	Another Halti user here. I think they are great and worked wonders with my boys!

05-26-2011, 07:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
mthurston0001 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 255	Dogs are clearly a preditor, don't believe me just open your pet's mouth and take a peek at all those big sharp white things. It's all fine and dandy to wear for a horse or even a cow, but I beleive this to be one reason many dogs have a problem wearing the GL or halti. Many dogs take issue with a muzzle for the same reason. None the less, lets all remember that collars, leashes, harness, etc. are all tools that can be used to reach a specific goal. Think of it this way, if you buy a hammer you use it to build the dog house but clearly it will not build the dog house on it's own.

05-26-2011, 01:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Caledon Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,786	With the halti, you can pull up on the leash and the dog's mouth will close, so in tight situations it can be uses like a muzzle. Dakota is getting better, but for a time she reacted to some dogs. When we are out in the halti I find that I can pass dogs on a boardwalk and not have her react. I do place her on the other side of me so that we do not pass, dog to dog. With a halti you can attach one end of the leash to the halti and the other end attached to the dogs collar (double clipped leash) and steer them. One hand is controlling the head via the halti and the other hand is giving extra control on the collar. Takes some cordination but practice before you need it.

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