Holly pulls on her lead a lot and hasn't got any better since I've been taking her out - 6wks now. I've been trying really hard to get her to stop with lots of practice in the back garden and outside the front with the stopping and turning around without any sign of improvement.

It's been suggested by about a dozen different people now that she needs a Halti type head collar but I'm not sure.

Would it make any difference or should I just keep trying with the stopping and starting? She doesn't pull backwards, only forwards and only when we're walking on the pavement. In the park she's too busy sniffing to bother pulling on the lead.

Any suggestions?

Fiona
x x x

What is the point of fighting with her, give the halti a try it will take 2 or 3 days for her to get used to it, but they work a treat. Jackie H

IMHO both! You are working so hard with Holly the Halti will give you some light relief so you can concentrate on the other stuff and enjoy your time out together, but still practice the non pulling at other times. Mind you she will fidget when you first put it on, but once she gets used to it your kids (under supervision) will also be able to have a hold of the lead:D

Anita

I use a head collar on my GSP when we go out to Coutry Fairs etc., he gets very Hyper and I find that for some reason it calms him down so instead of having a Meercat jumping around on his hind legs I have a well behaved dog walking beside me. It's the only time he is on a lead as I only live a couple of minutes from fields etc so it's not normally a problem. Just got a leather one because the halti's and gentle leaders kept breaking on us and can I say I think my boy is a snob, he hated having the others put on but this one he almost puts his nose in on his own. Ingrid

Hi Fiona, are you using a slip lead, or regular collar and lead?

Hi Dave,

I use a Canac Web collar with a push 'buckle' type fastening and a web lead. When we're in the park I use a flexi-lead on her (on the odd ocasions she is on the lead) and whilst most of the time she doesn't pull there are occasions when she sounds like a steam train :D :D

Thanks,

Fiona
x x x

Fiona, I'm going to go against the grain here, and recommend a slip lead (a nice thick leather one, as opposed to the rope type), and carry on doing what you are doing. Don't leave her hanging on the end of it, just keep doing the stopping and walking backwards, and throw in the odd jerk. Not a neck snapping one, just a 'you've reached the end of the lead, now it's time to stop pulling' one. After a while they get to learn that a little tightening means you're about to stop and reverse. It may take a while, my latest springer's 7 months and still pulls if there's something exciting, like a leaf on the path or a tasty dog poo! Problem with these breeds, is that everything is so exciting they forget they're supposed to be walking nicely alongside. But don't forget, she's still a baby and it takes quite a lot of effort for them to think about not pulling.

If you do try a halti, let us know how you get on.

Best wishes.....Dave

I see no harm in them- Joanne- who also posts on here uses the Halti's for her Rotties and they really do work a treat;)

Stacey

Hi Fiona,
I discovered that after working on the Halti, Samma even stopped pulling when she was just on her regular collar. I guess something has clicked in her doggy brain.

Still it's not her favorite accessory, but when we're walking around town & cities, we both like using Haltis on each dog. I like it on Chienne for when other dogs come running up out of control, I can keep ahold of her mouth and prevent her from "panic-snapping." I've also had children mob her...same thing. She also seems calmer. I sometimes end up stuffing her lead in my jean's pocket & she trots right next to me like a tiny pony. I really like them... but for certain situations.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you do end up using one, remember to use just your fingertips, instead of your whole arm or body. It's really easy to over-correct, especially with Holly being a small breed.
toodles

I would consider using a lupi harness on her, they are also designed to stop pulling and I find they work extremely well with small or medium dogs. One of my dogs, Django, will pull if he is excited. If I have him on his own he is no problem and I can stop him from pulling but if I'm going to a show or something like that and I'm battling with 4 dogs and my trolley etc and surrounded by other dogs going to the show then I need all the help I can get! It doesn't subdue him, he is still the happy exhuberant dog he is always is but it does stop him pulling.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Aren't Lupi the harnesses made with a fine cord? I've heard of nasty rubbing injuries being caused by them

Certainly doesn't with my boy but he doesn't pull against them too much or wear them for too long. I wouldn't have thought they would cause injuries because of the way they are fitted. There is another make which I tried briefly and felt that the cords on them were likely to rub so stopped using it. I noticed the last time I looked at that make they have started to pad the cord so possibly its that one you are thinking about.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

You can try Suzanne Clothiers article on head cages, i agree with her entirely.
http://www.flyingdogpress.com/articles.html

Have used halti on my lab and my gsd with great success - stopped me losing my arm! Suggest use only with an ordinary lead tho. Both lab and gsd now walked in normal collars with no need for halti - both clicked really quickly. If you do decide to go for one be prepared for a lot of snow ploughing to try and get it off!!

KirstyS