Do You Want The Perfect Well Trained Dog? Try This Halti Head Collar. (Halti Head Collar)

Member Name: bubbles12

Product:	Halti Head Collar
Date:	20/05/08 (401 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great in every sense on the word.

Disadvantages: If you buy the wrong size, it can cause dis-comfort for the dog.

I have decided to write this review as I feel that most people have not given the dog training device, the halti head collar a fair chance. I feel that this is the best training devise that is designed for dogs that tend to pull excessively, and tend to be very uncontrollable during routine walks.

MY PROBLEM

When we first introduced Amber, our old English sheep dog to the family she was just a cute bundle of fluff, but this little bundle of fluff some because a huge yeti beast LOL. At first it was fine as we would walk her as a family and she would be off the lead and controlled by my husband, the perfect dog anyone could ask for.

Then our circumstances changed and my husband took another job, which enabled him leaving early in the morning and returning late at night, therefore the dogs walks were left for me.

In the morning Amber would happily plod along side me, as she I a very lazy dog and I don't think she took to kindly being taken out so early. The problems started on the afternoon walks, she would pull so hard you could hear her choking and finding it hard to breath, and I was getting pulled all over the place. At one point she pulled me so hard I dislocated my shoulder, that fact that she was killing me and hurting herself didn't seem to faze her at all.

I put up with this for a week or so and her walks had shortened rapidly in that time, I need to take drastic measures. Even my husband noticed a difference in her when he took her at the weekends, she pulled him it to oncoming traffic, and nearly killed herself.

By this point I was at the end of my tether, I hated the dog and hated walking her. But at the same time I couldn't help but love her, at home she was perfect soft, good natured and she loves big cuddles.

I telephoned a dog obedience specialist and he advised me to get one of these dog training halti collars.

THE DOGS THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM THE HALTI

This halti head collar can benefit many dogs that have problems, such as dogs that pull to the excess it is impossible to control them. The collar fastens around the dogs head and over their nose, still allowing them the freedom to bark pant and put things in their mouth.

You can also use this to train dogs not to go after other dogs, walk at heal and it can even help with aggressive dogs, as you have complete control without restricting the dog in anyway.

You just need to learn how to position the lead so you can get the full benefit for this great training devise, for example if the dog pulls you tug lightly on the lead, so the dogs head turns slightly this way they know who is the boss and they soon learn to stop as they don't really like it.

If you have a dog that is aggressive and snarls and snaps, this is good as well, just tug the lead into the air, and the halti will tighten and the dogs jaw will close. I have never had to do this on Amber but my mother in law has a very over protective Labrador, which snarls at men so she has found this great for that.

THE HALTI HEAD COLLAR

The Halti head collar is designed to sit around the dogs head and it has a section that sits over their nose. Beneath the chin there is a small metal hoop that controls the tightness of the collar. So if the dog pulls this will tighten and if the dog is walking fine it will stay loose.

From the back section of the halti are two thin straps that go through the silver hoop under the chin to control the tightness, and at the end of the two straps is another silver hoop. This is when you place your dogs lead.

There is an additional section that can clip to the lead hoop and the dogs collar, this is used it you dog is prone to slipping the collar. The dog will try to remove the collar at first as they will not like you being in control, so it is a good idea to use this at first. At least until they get used to the halti.

PRICES

These collars cost anywhere for 7.99 to 8.99, you can expect to pay 7.99 for smaller dogs and 8.99 for larger dogs.

You can buy these halti head collars from any leading pet shop or pets at home store.

Some people feel that they are a little bit over priced, but in my experience I would have paid 10 x the amount, as I just couldn't cope anymore.

CHOOSING THE CORRECT SIZE FOR YOU DOG.

Each halti packet gives you a guide on what size to buy, but I think these can be misleading, so I would recommend you take it out of the packet and check the size, as getting the right size is critical when training you dog to be a better dog.

There are 5 different sizes to cater for all breeds of dog.

Size 0 is for miniature Dashunds, Toy poodles, and Yorkshire terriers.

Size 1 is for Boarder terriers, Jack Russell's, Corgi's, Sheltie's, Westie's and Whippet's

Size 2 is for Beagle's, Boarder Collie's, Cocker's, Staffie's and Standard Poodles.

Size 3 is for Afghan's, Airedale's, Boxer's, Chows Chows, Dalmatian's, Doberman's, Husky's, Labrador's, Old English Sheep Dog's, Pointer's and Retrievers.

Size 4 is for Bernese, Bull Mastiff's, Great Dane's, New foundland's, Ridgeback's, Rottweiler's, and Wolf hound's

Size 5 is for Blood hounds, Large Dane's, Mastiff and St Bernard's.

Remember this is just a guide and do check before you buy, as bitches and younger dogs may need smaller sizes.

Choosing the correct size is essential because if the halti is too small, it can cause your dog harm by cutting into their nose and if the collar is to big it will slip into their eyes and cause discomfort, also if it is to big the dog will be able to slip the collar.

MY OPINION

There are so many advantages, we can now enjoy the dog again within a week her problems were solved. We came to the understanding very early that if she wanted long walks then she needed to behave herself.

I now find it a real pleasure to walk her, and we don't even need the halti now. But it is so handy so we do continue to use it when I am walking her just in case, as she is so strong I don't stand a chance.

We use the size 3 on Amber and with her hair is fits perfectly, but upon a recent hair cut she had we had to go and buy a size 1, because the size 3 drowned her. Sounds crazy her dropping two sizes but trust me all she consists of is her hair.

So please check you have got the right size, if you have not as long as you have the receipt the shops will exchange for a smaller one.

There is just one thing I hate about these collars, people assume they are muzzles and therefore assume your dog is aggressive. I hate this because if they were in the know they would know that it is a training device and not there to restrict or shut the dog up in anyway.

I love these as they are so effective and really do work, I would bet my life on these working for any dog that pulled, providing the owner can handle a little tug on the lead. With these there is no excuse for a badly behaved dog, at the end of the day it is the owners that are bad trainers and it is not down to the dog.

So as I have said these are the best thing since sliced bread, well in the doggie world at least. I can't stress enough how good these are as they have not only saved my sanity but also secured Ambers fate.

Summary: Great training add, to correct bad doggies behavior.