Strong greyhound pulling on walks - halti or harness?

_Andy_ · 7 June 2010 at 12:41PM

Afternoon all

We took on another greyhound this year - he's 2 years old. Very nice boy but very strong and energetic.
On walks he pulls a lot when he sees any other dog, cat, etc.
Have been trying to correct this but not going very well!

I had been thinking about getting a harness for him as when he pulls it's ripping my arm out of the socket!
My OH is thinking a halti might be better.

Anyone have any ideas which would be best?

Cheers

sarabe · 7 June 2010 at 2:13PM

I used the Metuki balance harness for my Borzoi when he was confined to lead because of injury. I can thoroughly recommend it. http://www.mekuti.co.uk/harness_shop.htm

Wouldn't have managed him on lead without it.

hethmar · 7 June 2010 at 2:32PM

I used the halti harness on one of mine and it settled him into a walking pace in less than a week. I wouldnt go just for the face halti, I cant see how that can work as well as a chest harness which basically lifts their front feet off the ground if they pull too hard. I worried that the face halti could hurt their neck.

_Andy_ · 7 June 2010 at 2:44PM

Thanks for the input guys.. Think I will get the halti harness ..not quite sure how it works though (sorry I may be being dense!)

devildog · 7 June 2010 at 4:11PM

I am going to add to the confusion here:) and say go for a halti (headcollar) as opposed to a harness. You will not necessarily stop the pulling by using a harness(have seen no end of people being dragged by a dog in a harness) Because the headcollar type controls the head the dog will simply not have the momentum to pull(it may take a couple of days for him to get used to it though)
I have used a halti on my own gsd (with excellent results) and in the past I have worked with greyhounds and I honestly believe the headcollar is far superior.

Heathmar-there is no suffering to their neck as their is absolutely no pressure put on the neck in any shape or form-the main band fits around the nose/mouth(not tightly-the dog can still pant/bark/drink)and the other bit fastens around the back of head/ears. The neck is not involved at all. The lead is attached to the section below the nose/mouth (and as an added safety feature can also be clipped onto the collar) You have total control at the front of the dog. When you think that horses are led this way and generally works (admittedly not always) and they are far stronger than a dog!! Can you imagine trying to control a horse with a harness strapped around
it's body for control (without reins/headcollar) I don't think so

_Andy_ · 7 June 2010 at 4:13PM

Thanks DD..so (again I may be being thick) - how does the halti/headcollar work?

devildog · 7 June 2010 at 4:27PM

It is a 'one piece' item made from a nylon type material. The round bit(front) slides over the dogs nose and the other strap reaches over the dogs head and behind it's ears and clips in the other side. There is a circular clip under the nose band(that you attach to lead) which for extra security you can then clip onto the collar too.
They do come in various sizes (GSD has a size 3) but I would hazzard a guess you would need a smaller size. If at all possible take the dog into a pet shop and try different ones for size (and they will give you a demo on how to put it on too ) not that you will need one it is so easy!!

devildog · 7 June 2010 at 4:34PM

Sorry I didn't really answer your question there-it basically works on the theory that you guide the head and the body will follow(just like with a horse) They cannot pull in an opposite direction to which their head is going.
If the dog does attempt to pull /lunge the headcollar tightens around the mouth and then releases immediately the dog stops.
(I would aim to try a size 2 first)

_Andy_ · 7 June 2010 at 4:38PM

That's great - really appreciate it

Thanks!

devildog · 7 June 2010 at 5:05PM

Just had a thought-haven't needed to use my halti for years and it may be a size too big for your greyhound but you are more than welcome to have it (at no cost)!

Sagaris · 7 June 2010 at 5:37PM

I'd second the Halti head collar too - I found it very difficult to walk our rescue beagle on a normal collar, the pulling is much reduced with the Halti (she's a bit 'keen' now when she first goes out but settles down quickly). I can walk her now and have my shoulder sockets intact!