Strong greyhound pulling on walks - halti or harness?

Chocmonster7

Another vote for a Halti Headcollar here, my Terrier is a terrible puller if I just use her car harness or a lead on her collar but walks a lot better with her headcollar on. As others have said it's no different to how a horses one works.

Sequeena

Harnesses are designed for the dogs to pull even if they say 'stop pulling' It allows the dog to spread it's weight into the chest and pull like a freight train!

I would use a head collar and teach heel. Once you've taught heel you've no need for the head collar :money:

Remember to introduce it properly though or you will be battling with your dog on walks and don't leave it on them when they're offlead. It is way too easy for your dog to get its claw stuck in it.

I don't think a halti headcollar is best. I used one but it rode up into my GSDs eyes regularly. Perhaps a gentle leader would be better.

moomin5

Sequeena wrote: »

Harnesses are designed for the dogs to pull even if they say 'stop pulling' It allows the dog to spread it's weight into the chest and pull like a freight train!
.

It depends what the harnesses are designed for, i agree a general harness will allow a dog to lean against it . I used a non-pull one on my greyhound which had a control loop on the back where the lead clipped on so when the dog pulled it would gently squeeze around its chest to discourage it, there was also some training to combine with its use. I found it worked great for my dog and he seemed comfortable wearing it, now he walks lovely with just a normal hound collar.

My friend uses a head collar on one of her greyhounds and uses separate leads for it and the collar, probably because her dog isn't safe around other dog breeds and is a bit paranoid about him getting free. Her dog does get frustrated wearing the head collar and occasionally tries to paw it off but it does give her better control than without.

Sequeena

moomin5 wrote: »

It depends what the harnesses are designed for, i agree a general harness will allow a dog to lean against it . I used a non-pull one on my greyhound which had a control loop on the back where the lead clipped on so when the dog pulled it would gently squeeze around its chest to discourage it, there was also some training to combine with its use. I found it worked great for my dog and he seemed comfortable wearing it, now he walks lovely with just a normal hound collar.

My friend uses a head collar on one of her greyhounds and uses separate leads for it and the collar, probably because her dog isn't safe around other dog breeds and is a bit paranoid about him getting free. Her dog does get frustrated wearing the head collar and occasionally tries to paw it off but it does give her better control than without.

I think it depends more on the dog than the harness involved. My GSD is ok in a harness but my mastiff isn't and does much better on a normal half check/lead.

I definitely agree training is paramount. Companies are selling these training aids as a longterm solution for your dogs problems. You don't put a halti on your dog for the rest of its natural life, you train it :T

I like the separate lead thing. It's what I did when I used the halti. It allowed me control over the head and neck and it made sure I did not unknowlingly pull or tug on the halti (did this once by accident and my girl yelped loudly ).

Kittendreich

Have you got a local training group? The instructors their should help advise you what aids might suit your dog and how to use them (and then how to then train your dog to behave without them!). I found classes great for me to find out how I had to behave to influence his behaviour (he'll still pull me along the road to meet a nice female or if he is desperate to 'go', but mostly he is a wee gem!)

_Andy_

Hi Kitten - sadly none near enough to us (we don't drive). Devildog is very kindly sending me a halti so I'm going to try that.
Thanks all for the input, really appreciate it. I'll post and let you know how we get on!

hethmar

I hope you get on ok. The halti head collar just chaffed my dogs face and he spent most of the time pawing at it. I saw a poor spaniel with one on the other day and the owner hadnt even noticed that one strap was right over one of the dogs eyes.

cinderellacomplex

All harnesses are not equal - the best harnesses to use with strong dogs which tend to pull is one which has a front clip for the lead because having the lead attach to their back just enhances their pulling power. Incidentally, front clipping leads are also much safer than clipping the lead to the collar, even if your dog does not pull you might trip or tug accidentally and are far less likely to cause harm to your dog than if the lead was attached to their neck or face.

WeirdoMagnet

Sequeena wrote: »

Harnesses are designed for the dogs to pull even if they say 'stop pulling' It allows the dog to spread it's weight into the chest and pull like a freight train!

That's the beauty of a Mekuti harness (or any other harness with a front lead attachment) as the dog can't pull into the harness. I also found it was extremely easy to then teach heel and loose lead walking too, with a bit of clicker training. The dog soon learns that there's nothing to actually pull into.

I personally don't like head collars on dogs. They rarely seem to fit properly, and often seem to be used as an alternative to training. They're also not suitable for using with a long/extending lead.

There's lots of images on the Mekuti website so you can see what I mean, and Rachel is very helpful and offers excellent advice and customer service.

Good luck!

Georgina

richardvc

Halti, our choc lab discovered that he had more power over us with a harness !! Whereas with the halti, we had the power !!

Within a few weeks he was back on the lead and walking like a dog should. He is still strong but it now a much more pleasant experience for all of us !