Despite the many benefits of using a Halti head collar, there are also some potential downsides that you should be aware of, which include; Some dogs may still pull against the Halti head harness. And, they will pull as soon as a different type of harness is used. I personally feel that the Halti Headcollar is an invaluable resource for inexperienced owners who are unfamiliar with how to teach loose leash walking on a flat collar and need a way to tire out their dogs while they learn the ropes. Dogs need exercise whether you’re new to dog training or not, and walking a dog on a Halti is far better than not walking at all due to frustration from being incessantly pulled and struggling to maintain control. This does mean many dogs are less likely to pull as a result. But, it can be a very uncomfortable process for them.

I recommend buying your first dog head halter in person so that a knowledgeable salesperson can help you fit the halter to your dog’s muzzle. It’s important to ensure that your dog’s head halter does not rub on your dog’s head, ride up into your dog’s eyes, or slip down off of his muzzle. The main reason most people want to learn ‘what is a Halti’ is because they’re suffering with a dog that pulls on the leash.

Are Haltis Cruel?

For those of you who would rather read instructions, here’s how to train your dog to wear a dog head halter. Aversive tools like this associate an action with an unpleasant consequence to stop the action from happening. Arguably, the most compelling flaw with the Halti Headcollar is one that is not intrinsically the Halti’s fault. It stems from the fact that when used to induce loose leash walking, Haltis, like prongs, harnesses and choke chains, don’t actually teach the dog to walk well on leash. It simply compels him to – it’s a band-aid solution. Now, an owner could absolutely use the Halti in conjunction with training to properly teach the dog how it is expected to walk on-leash, regardless of what gear he’s wearing. Many owners don’t do this, however, and that’s a personal choice. For some people, having a dog that walks nicely, whether thanks to a magical device, or not, is enough. The noseband is self-adjusting, so it expands for a custom fit on a wide muzzle like that of a Boxer, and dogs can easily open their mouth while wearing it to breathe, pant, etc. So, to avoid this, choose to train your dog using positive reinforcement methods. This will take time and won’t solve your pulling problem immediately.

It’s especially good for those bigger and stronger dog breeds because those are the ones that cause the most pain for us when they tug on walks. This means the action of pulling is paired with an unpleasant consequence, making dogs less likely to do it.The figure 8 dog halter lead combines both lead and collar with an anti-pull system built-in, and is highly effective and proven to transform your walks from difficult to enjoyable. With this nose lead you can train your dog to stop pulling on walks so that you can both enjoy the time spent outside. When your dog pulls on the lead, the halter will turn their head to the side and discourage tugging, and that is what makes this collar such a great training tool. Say goodbye to painful arms and shoulders from all the pulling, and transform your walks into relaxing ones.

The best way to stop pulling and maintain a strong bond with your dog is to use positive reinforcement training. Pros and Cons of Haltis

The Halti is designed to fit ‘snugly’ on your dog. However, it is only ever designed to be used during walks.

For general lead training or just everyday use to train your dog when walking. It prevents pulling on the lead by gently steering and guiding your dog’s direction. If you are really struggling to manage with a puppy pulling on the lead we would recommend speaking with a vet recommended dog trainer or behaviourist to get some advice on how best to train your young dog not to pull. Suffice to say, YES, the Halti Headcollar did do as advertised. It’s strange seeing a dog that’s always ‘go go go’ slow down to an easy pace in an instant. I went from having a wild child, headstrong, bulldozer of a dog to a calm, quiet companion who behaved beautifully on walks. Many people report that their dogs don’t seem as happy when wearing a Halti. Their tails and ears may droop, they hold their heads lower, and don’t seem as excited on walks.

It can be worn on dogs of most breeds, at any age. I just can’t imagine it being very useful on very small breeds of dog, but other breeds shouldn’t have any issues. Head halters are, more or less, a harness for your dog’s head. The idea is that a head halter can reduce pulling because while a dog can put their entire weight against their chest, they can’t put much force behind their noggin.