Comments on: Halti vs. Gentle Leader

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:34:48 +0000

Keep the dog leashed at all times around your sons. Reinforce a down-stay on a dog bed or mat in the same room as your son. If she gets up, put her right back. She will probably get up five, ten, maybe even 20 times. Put her right back and repeat -STAY! Tether her to a table or banister if you have to. Absolutely no roughhousing at all should be allowed. I wouldn’t even allow her to act excited around your boys. No running, jumping or any of that. Her behavior is absolutely unacceptable and needs to be stopped immediately or you are going to have a very serious issue. I highly suggest you find a trainer in your area who is willing to come to your home and offer some tips. And make sure your lab is getting enough exercise. I highly doubt she’s getting half the exercise she needs. Take her for at least an hour walk every day, preferably an hour of running or more. I’m sure she has a lot of pent-up, puppy energy and just wants to play. So make sure her needs are met and work on teaching her some self control.

Also teach your son not to squeal and run away from the dog – this will encourage the dog to chase, jump and act excited. Once your dog has some better obedience skills, you should help teach your sons how to tell her to lie down and stay on her bed. Reinforce the good behavior by giving her treats while she is staying.

By: Tracey Quinnell

Tracey Quinnell — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:40:28 +0000

hi all. I have read all your posts and think you all have a world of knowledge about dogs. I have a 5 month old labrador, who is proving to be a little difficult with odd behaviours. I have undertaken training her and even paid for 3 sessions of obedience training but so far this has not helped. I have two Autistic boys, aged 4 & 5. Our lab continues to maul our 5 year old. I can see that she must be thinking he is somehow under her in the pecking order. She will jump on his back, she leaps at him at any given chance. He’s terrified of her. She does not do this to anybody else and is responding well to training. But she contines to attack my son, she also mouths him, he is so scared. A friend has suggested I use a halti leader and have my son lead her around and that this will teach her that he is dominant over her. Does anyone have any ideas on this? one obedience trainer suggested I tether her when my son is in the backyard with her. I do not think this is ideal. does anybody have advice for us?

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 02:42:44 +0000

You should try the Halti. It won’t pull over her eyes because it’s designed better. It also has the extra clip that hooks onto her collar just in case it slips off her nose.

By: Scott Roth

Scott Roth — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:02:05 +0000

Hi, I have a new pup Roxy – 6 month old rescue dog (German Shepherd. short haired pointer, beagle and schnauzer mix…) who is very difficult to walk because of pulling & scenting. We tried a basic collar, a nylon harness (gave her rash), a padded harness and she still pulls and pulls. Someone suggested a gentle leader and we tried it just yesterday. Wow, what a difference! It appears to be working although I am starting to feel her pull more and more on each walk. Also, I have read and re-read the fitting instructions (tight collar high behind ears, looser nose piece…) and the issue Roxy paws and paws while in mid-stride walking and then the nose piece covers her eyes. I hear about dogs pulling them off the nose, but not the other way around. Am I doing something wrong?? Thanks!

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:25:08 +0000

The Gentle Leader should be the answer to your problem! Good luck with it. I hope it works!

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 06:30:19 +0000

I have a saint bernard that was 150lbs. I am only 5’5 and 120 lbs and she knows that she has an advantage over me. I had surgery only a month after I got her as a puppy so training never really happened. When I try to walk her, she pulls at everything. She does not understand the concept that she can walk to the item instead of running. She cannot go far because of hip dysplasia, but still needs exercise. She will see anything and take off running. I try to correct her with a choke chain at first because I’ve always used a choke chain on my great danes and they walk fantastic, however, I never know what she is going to go after. It could be a blowing leaf, a plastic bag, a garden gnome, another dog, or a person. She isn’t aggressive, she just wants to smell the other dog or have people pet her, but when someone sees her running towards them they get scared and the dog she is running towards can get aggressive towards her. I have learned where dogs are in my neighborhood and walk her the same route so I know where to avoid. However, if someone else is walking their dog or is out in their front yard, I am in trouble. I have tried a harness, a choke chain, walking her with both, having my dad help me since when she pulls, I go with her if I cannot get my feet planted. Usually I have to find something to grab onto to make her stop like a stop sign or a car. I just started using the gentle leader and I was able to walk by a dog across the street. I have tried all that I can, so I do not think that it is a band-aid for walking. I just cannot afford to scare people and other dogs when she is coming at them, even though she is very sweet, you cannot tell that from a 150lbs saint bernard running at you, dragging their owner behind.

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:02:29 +0000

I was thinking, man, that is one big lab!!

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:02:05 +0000

My favorite thing about using a Gentle Leader or Halti is that the walk is more relaxed. I totally understand what you mean. I do see it as a Band Aid, especially if the dog can only walk nicely with the head collar. It’s not a bad thing to use a head collar all the time if you don’t mind. Lots of dog owners do this. My goal is always to get my dog to improve his leash manners and to be able to walk nicely in all situations without a training collar or even without a leash at all. Of course, this will always be a goal. No dog is totally perfect all the time.

By: LabLover

LabLover — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:53:55 +0000

Sorry I meant he weighs 25 pounds less tan me:)

By: LabLover

LabLover — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:53:16 +0000

I own a 6 yr old male lab who weighs only 25 pounds more than me. He is a fully trained in every area amazing dog.
The Halti is not a band-aid. For me to walk him it is vital. It took him 3 weeks to get used to it. He was used to being in control on the walk. There are some of you who think using the Halti or Gentle Leader is cruel. I’m happy for you that you have dogs that can walk without them. But, for those of us who need to use them they are heaven sent.
We take much longer, more relaxed walks when we use it. My children can also walk him. I love my Halti, so try one:)