Elvis hates postmen (Halti Head Collar)

Member Name: Havinalaff

Product:	Halti Head Collar
Date:	02/10/01 (921 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: humane, cheap, effective

Disadvantages: only if get wrong size

I have a dog-called Elvis, named after the “Big Man” himself. He is a small black and white dog with a lovely fluffy coat, but his eyes have that mad look about them. His odd behaviour started with a hatred of postmen and their letters, he regarded them as intruders and would punish them by ripping the mail to shreds. Now, how do we get to the letters first I hear you ask. Well apart from camping underneath the letterbox all night the only other option is to try and run faster than the dog (and that’s got to be seen to be believed). Needless to say we go through a lot of cello tape.

Another odd quirk is his hatred of aerosol cans (preferably air fresheners) and he has worked it out that we use them mainly in the toilet (as you do). So he waits patiently outside the loo waiting for the door to open. The next bit is quite funny because our floor is tiled and very slippery, so as he runs forward to attack the aerosol can, his little legs go ten to the dozen but he doesn’t get anywhere. Being a dog he can’t work this out, yet, but give him time.

I don’t mind these funny little ways. It is what makes Elvis my dog and a special dog at that. It is his terrible behaviour on the lead, which led me to seek professional advice.
Taking Elvis out on a lead is like the exorcist meets the Tasmanian devil. He pulls so hard he can hardly breathe and he snaps at anyone who goes near me. As you can imagine I do not enjoy taking him out, the neighbours can’t stand him and my partner and I bribe each other to take him out.

The next step was our vet. Surely a man of his knowledge and experience would have the perfect solution. I told him about our problem, he listened intently and said these words of wisdom “off with his balls!” Well, I could have sworn Elvis understood every word. His eyes were bulging and his little tail went between his legs as if to protect his precious tackle. I told the vet I woul
d think it over and went home to talk it over with my partner. Being a man, my partner sympathised with the dog and said (with his legs crossed) that no matter what happens you don’t touch a man’s/dogs lunchbox.

My last hope was the local pet shop. I thought that if I bought a muzzle then at least he wouldn’t be able to bite anyone. I went into the shop and enquired as to what size I would need .The assistant asked me why I wanted a muzzle and I explained the whole” Elvis on the lead” saga. The assistant assured me that I did not need a muzzle and that Elvis needed to be re-trained .He gave me a special head lead which is called
a “Halti”, and explained that rather like a horse’s reign, it takes the power away from the dog and lets you take control. So no pulling, jumping or unwanted behaviour ever again.

This was a dream come true, the answer to my prayers, like winning the lottery (okay, that was a bit much). But would it, could it work? ………. And the answer is……………..YES, BLOODY WELL, YES! He didn’t like it at first but he eventually got used to it .I am now the proud owner of a well-behaved dog, he is a pleasure to take out. And what about his other bad habits I hear you ask well…………….Oh I have got to go, I can hear the postman “. ELVIS LEAVE THE LETTERS ALONE!”

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