Any advice on Halty collars

Moshamoon · 02-11-2013, 06:52 PM

I have a 2 year old female gsd who is very fiesty, and pulls when she get excited. I have so many people recommending the halty collar, but I have reservations. She gets so excited sometimes I am afraid this tool will hurt her, plus she does get an attitude when her muzzle is messed with too much. Any advice is welcome.

wolfy dog · 02-11-2013, 07:28 PM

I hate them and so do most dogs. I'd rather use a prong collar than a halti or "gentle" leader. My favorite training collar is a martingale. I was close to using a prong for WD but was able to work him through his impulse issues as he got older and more trained.

**gsdraven** · 02-11-2013, 07:32 PM

My experience with the Halti is that most dogs fight it, even with proper conditioning, and the few dogs that don't do very well on it. My current foster is one of those dogs, a head halter really helps calm him down.

Better bet is something for control like a front clip harness and martingale or a prong depending on the tools you like to use and focused training sessions to improve loose leash walking, focus and communication with varying distractions.

BellaLuna · 02-11-2013, 07:40 PM

Worked well with my boxer/ dobe mix when he was fighting to get it off. He was constantly pawing at his which made for a rough and un enjoyable walk but when we did get started I could control him a lot better. I have 1 for Bella but never use it b/c she walks well while on lead so I don't see the point. I use a harness and flat collar.

Shade · 02-11-2013, 07:46 PM

It works great for some dogs and not for others. Best way to know is try one for yourself and see how it goes

oldiehawn · 02-11-2013, 07:47 PM

my gsd will be 1 year in couple weeks and we went thru alot of pulling for a long time! i tried the halti and she hated it and people thought it was a muzzle and i didnt want her with that reputation where i live..so we finally used a front loading harness for past couple months and now i mostly use that but ive noticed she now walks very well on her martingale...i think she just never realized when she was pulling at such a large size i was like a kite following behind her.

Chicagocanine · 02-11-2013, 08:26 PM

The Halti worked great for my Shepherd, once I actually conditioned her to it. I did that by feeding her treats through it at first, then putting it on and feeding a treat and removing it, then when she was good with that I started putting it on, feeding her dinner, and removing it once she finished eating. This all was over a few days, and after that she was comfortable wearing it.

Moshamoon · 02-11-2013, 09:28 PM

Thank you, I have had a similar experience with the martingale. It seems to work best and I am starting engagement training with that, treats on the move. When I lightly tug on the margingale, she seems to responde as long as she is calm. When she gets excited, it seems less of a stresser than the prong collar I used for months. Seems as though alot of you like the martingale. I will wait on the halty. Just a note, the easy walker harness did not work when Mika got excited. One time she jumped up when she saw a person (so excitable) and fell down. Becaue of the pressure on the front legs (this is the design of the harness) when she came back down she did not have control of her legs, and fell flat on her front side.

Again, any thoughts about working with the martingale, or other tools is greatly appreciated.

**gsdraven** · 02-11-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moshamoon

Becaue of the pressure on the front legs (this is the design of the harness) when she came back down she did not have control of her legs, and fell flat on her front side.

Just a note about the Easy Walk harness, the pressure should not be on the legs but on the chest. I do agree that the Easy Walk is not the best fit for most GSDs. The Freedom Harness is much better fit but does not have the martingale feature on the chest so doesn't have the same stopping power.

Jag · 02-11-2013, 10:41 PM

I got a martingale and a prong. I have preferred to use the prong because he's a dominant guy and I wasn't really giving strong corrections...so he was still pulling. It really depends on the dog. I'd get the martingale, and if it doesn't work then go with the prong. You can always go back to the martingale after you get things under control with a prong if you have to go that route. I do NOT like Halti's. Not for shepherds. Sorry, but not only is there the chance of them getting hurt... but I think it just looks demeaning on them. (No offence for those that use them!) JMO

02-11-2013, 06:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Moshamoon Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 31	Any advice on Halty collars I have a 2 year old female gsd who is very fiesty, and pulls when she get excited. I have so many people recommending the halty collar, but I have reservations. She gets so excited sometimes I am afraid this tool will hurt her, plus she does get an attitude when her muzzle is messed with too much. Any advice is welcome.

02-11-2013, 07:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
wolfy dog Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,312	I hate them and so do most dogs. I'd rather use a prong collar than a halti or "gentle" leader. My favorite training collar is a martingale. I was close to using a prong for WD but was able to work him through his impulse issues as he got older and more trained. __________________ To know if you are doing things right, you should be willing to trade places with your dog.

02-11-2013, 07:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
gsdraven Moderator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mont Co, PA Posts: 5,417	My experience with the Halti is that most dogs fight it, even with proper conditioning, and the few dogs that don't do very well on it. My current foster is one of those dogs, a head halter really helps calm him down. Better bet is something for control like a front clip harness and martingale or a prong depending on the tools you like to use and focused training sessions to improve loose leash walking, focus and communication with varying distractions. __________________ Jamie Raven (GSD) - December 8, 2007 Kaiser (GSD) - November 2009 Holly (GSD) - March 24, 2011 Best Paw Forward Life's Abundance

02-11-2013, 07:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
BellaLuna Master Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Port Saint Lucie ,FL Posts: 567	Worked well with my boxer/ dobe mix when he was fighting to get it off. He was constantly pawing at his which made for a rough and un enjoyable walk but when we did get started I could control him a lot better. I have 1 for Bella but never use it b/c she walks well while on lead so I don't see the point. I use a harness and flat collar. Last edited by BellaLuna; 02-11-2013 at 07:45 PM.

02-11-2013, 07:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Shade Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 3,443	It works great for some dogs and not for others. Best way to know is try one for yourself and see how it goes __________________ Shanna My Pack: Jasmine - Female Miniature Poodle - born Aug 15, 2010 Loker Delgado Von Stalworth - male GSD - born Jan 26, 2012 Koda & Zazu - 4 year old male cats

02-11-2013, 07:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
oldiehawn New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: british columbia Posts: 19	my gsd will be 1 year in couple weeks and we went thru alot of pulling for a long time! i tried the halti and she hated it and people thought it was a muzzle and i didnt want her with that reputation where i live..so we finally used a front loading harness for past couple months and now i mostly use that but ive noticed she now walks very well on her martingale...i think she just never realized when she was pulling at such a large size i was like a kite following behind her.

02-11-2013, 08:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chicagocanine Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,108	The Halti worked great for my Shepherd, once I actually conditioned her to it. I did that by feeding her treats through it at first, then putting it on and feeding a treat and removing it, then when she was good with that I started putting it on, feeding her dinner, and removing it once she finished eating. This all was over a few days, and after that she was comfortable wearing it. __________________ Chicago Canine Bianca HIC CGC TT (GSD) 4/24/04-10/23/12

02-11-2013, 09:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Moshamoon Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 31	Thank you, I have had a similar experience with the martingale. It seems to work best and I am starting engagement training with that, treats on the move. When I lightly tug on the margingale, she seems to responde as long as she is calm. When she gets excited, it seems less of a stresser than the prong collar I used for months. Seems as though alot of you like the martingale. I will wait on the halty. Just a note, the easy walker harness did not work when Mika got excited. One time she jumped up when she saw a person (so excitable) and fell down. Becaue of the pressure on the front legs (this is the design of the harness) when she came back down she did not have control of her legs, and fell flat on her front side. Again, any thoughts about working with the martingale, or other tools is greatly appreciated.

02-11-2013, 10:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jag Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,683	I got a martingale and a prong. I have preferred to use the prong because he's a dominant guy and I wasn't really giving strong corrections...so he was still pulling. It really depends on the dog. I'd get the martingale, and if it doesn't work then go with the prong. You can always go back to the martingale after you get things under control with a prong if you have to go that route. I do NOT like Halti's. Not for shepherds. Sorry, but not only is there the chance of them getting hurt... but I think it just looks demeaning on them. (No offence for those that use them!) JMO __________________ Wrath of Grim z Dragon "Mr. Grim"- Threaten my handler. I dare you.

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