Are they any good? I was thinking of trying one with Bella as I seem to have hit a brick was when it comes to training her to walk to heel.

I think they are very good, I use one with Chester , hes not the best on his lead

IMO yes they are very good.
Like many pieces of training equipment they don't suit very dog but it's certainly worth a try. I would use a halti accompanied by positive reinforcement based heelwork training.

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I use one on William but only as a safety thing. He is so big and strong if he decided to chase something he could possibly pull me over. He never tries to pull when he has it on but if he doesn't have it on he tries to pull me all over the place. Which is not good when I walk 2 big dogs together

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Sammy you may be gone but your sprit will always live on in the sunbeams R I P Sammy

William- 6/11/03 - 24/3/10
Midge - 8/2/11 - 10-2-11

they are definitive good if ur struggling with a strong pulling dog ....

But on most occasions if the halti comes back off the dog is back on pulling so training is a must at the same time imo

William can walk properly without his halti on its just that he's a bit brain dead and forgets what he is doing at times.

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Sammy you may be gone but your sprit will always live on in the sunbeams R I P Sammy

William- 6/11/03 - 24/3/10
Midge - 8/2/11 - 10-2-11

i use haltis more for a safe thing too as my dogs could pull me anywhere they wanted if they wished too lol..... they walk to heel but we have alot of cats running about outside and i rather be safe than sorry

We use a Halti and I cant fault it.

I've found I have much more control over Bailey with the Halti. I'd highly recommend.

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Hi

What method are you using to teach her to walk to heel? How old is your dog and what breed?

Below is my reply to a similar post a few pages back, hope it helps............

I don't know what dog you have, but Gentle Leaders are very good for the larger breeds - would you try and lead a horse by something around its neck? No.

However, I have used them a lot on smaller dogs to, where someone has balance problems, or their dog is a bit unpredictable with other dogs, as you can move their heads easily to prevent them getting eyecontact with other dogs! You can basically control a dog with one finger.

However, if you get one, please, please, don't just put it on and expect your dog to accept it!!

Take a few days getting your dog used to it.

Training the Gentle Leader or Halti......

Firstly rub it in your hands, or wash it to soften it up a bit and change the scent on it, some are really stiff and creased when you get them out the packet. Make sure you know how to put it on and the clip is adjusted correctly.

Hold a treat in your fingers and put this through the nosepiece and encourage your dog to put his nose through to get the treat, but don't put it on. Do this until your dog is happy to take treats with you holding the headcollar and doesn't mind the touch on his nose.

Do this a few times in a day, until your dog is relaxed then moving a bit further until you can clip it on for a few seconds - feeding treats - and then take it off - don't reward as you remove it, just praise verbally.

When you can clip it on and feed your dog treats and he is relaxed - if he tries to paw it off distract him with food - then put it on for mealtimes whilst he is eating, then take it off, you are basically building up a positive association. When he is happy with this. Put it on, but don't attach anything to it and play a game, go for a walk - using the old lead and collar. Keep moving on the walk, if you stand still too long, he will rub your leg with his head!

When he isn't bothered by it atall being on you can start to introduce having a lead attached and him getting used to feeling you tugging. This is done by putting the headcollar on and clipping a very light lead - a puppy lead is ideal - to the headcollar, but still have your usual lead and collar on the dog. You are going to do most of your walk using the normal collar - even with the pulling, but now and again you need to start putting more 'feel' on the headcollar. Progress this until your collar and lead is loose and you are using the headcollar most of the time.

If at any time your dog tries to rub it off either on your leg or paws, distract him with a treat, or just keep walking smartly forward. Eventually you can drop the old collar and lead and continue with the headcollar.

It sounds complicated, but most dogs take a couple of days at the most to get used to it, but it does depend on the dog.

DO NOT EVER EVER EVER, use a Headcollar and a flexi. If the dog runs full length of the lead, it is at risk of seriously damaging, or even breaking his neck. If you use a flexi take the headcollar off and attach it to the collar.

Best of luck, it will be interesting to see how you get on.

Kate

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