What is a Halti? Halti is a brand that sells a number of head and body harnesses designed to prevent pulling in dogs. Their most popular and common product is a head harness that has almost become synonymous with the brand name. Those of you who have read Muzzle Training will find this process to be familiar. As always, you can’t escape classical conditioning, so we want to ensure that the dog associates the Halti with good things. Follow our muzzle training guide if you’d like an in-depth, step-by-step method on how to desensitise your dog to having a new gadget on their face.

If your dog needs to be muzzled on walks, for whatever reason, a Halti is not a suitable alternative. Will a Halti Stop my Dog from Pulling? Ultimately, the least cruel way to stop your dog from pulling is to use positive reinforcement training to teach them to heel. Blake, S. (et al), ‘ A Systematic Review of the Biomechanical Effects of Harness and Head-Collar Use in Dogs’, BioRxiv (2019) This adjustable dog headcollar is designed to be comfortable while in use – with a cushioned noseband and reflective cheek straps that allow for visibility in low light.Haltis are not a long term solution if your dog is pulling on the leash. They pair the action of pulling with an unpleasant consequence. Some dogs may still pull against the Halti head harness. And, they will pull as soon as a different type of harness is used. Todd, Z. ‘ Barriers to the Adoption of Humane Dog Training Methods’, Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2018) A Halti is one of many aversive training tools. Evidence suggests that aversive methods like this can actually be detrimental to the physical and mental health of our dogs, as well as less effective.

The most effective solution to a dog pulling on the leash is to train the heel command with positive reinforcement methods.The Halti Headcollar is an excellent tool for so many situations, I would recommend it in a heartbeat if I was sure the owner in question would use it sensibly. Not everyone has the time or know-how when it comes to teaching your dog to walk nicely on-leash, and I believe the Halti is a godsend for those who are struggling. Owners with disabilities or some form of strength disadvantage can especially benefit from the extra leverage. 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.

Mugford has worked with more than 50,000 pets, written three books, including his most recent, “ The Perfect Dog ”, and has developed a variety of products to aid pet owners in their training and rehabilitation, including the popular Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle.

So, the feeling when your dog pulls has to be uncomfortable enough to prevent the action of pulling in the future. Not Designed for Constant Use As we mentioned in the section ‘what is a Halti’, we will be looking at the Halti head collar for the rest of the guide. So, the best long term solution to prevent pulling is to use positive reinforcement training to teach the heel command. Not only is this more likely to work in the long term, but it will also help you build a much stronger bond with your dog. Are Haltis Cruel? If the Halti does not stop your dog from pulling, they may experience high levels of discomfort – even if the product is only used on walks. How are Haltis Different to Muzzles? In addition, owners with disabilities, arthritis, injuries and generally reduced strength can significantly benefit from the increased leverage over all that canine power. Women who are pregnant or owners who are petite with large dogs too can feel safer while out walking their best friend.

But, until then, you can choose to manage the problem with a body harness and leash. How do Haltis Compare to Gentle Leaders? Haug, L. (et al), ‘ Comparison of Dogs’ Reactions to Four Different Head Collars’, Applied Animal Behavior Science (2002) Whilst the fit of the collar itself might not be uncomfortable for your dog when standing still, this pressure when walking is most likely very uncomfortable. Practice this a few times inside, then take it to the yard and repeat the game. Remember to mark the moment that she’s doing what you want her to (standing near your hip with a nice loose leash) and reward her. She should be walking beautifully with you in the yard before you take it to the street, so that she’s had plenty of practice walking nicely on the Halti. Using head harnesses like this for longer periods has led to distress and severe consequences reported by owners.Teaching your dog to heel is a much better long term solution to pulling, and doesn’t have any nasty consequences for your dog. Frequently Asked Questions About the Halti The Halti brand claims that their head collar is designed to allow your dog to pant and yawn if it needs to. Below, we offer size suggestions for common breeds which can be a useful starting point. Do keep in mind, however, that not all dogs within a given breed have the same measurements. (press ctrl+f if you’re using windows, or cmd+f for mac, and start typing your dog’s main breed to find their potential size faster): This is an aversive tool that can cause distrust, and will not be as effective as positive training methods. This does mean many dogs are less likely to pull as a result. But, it can be a very uncomfortable process for them.