May 13, 2011

What do you think of halti's?

Full Question:
Ed:

First thank you for your great web site and training tapes. I have purchased your basic obedience tape and will be purchasing other tapes in the near future. The advice on the tape has helped greatly with the training of my Kangal. (I own several other breeds - 3 kuvasz, 1 landseer newf (old) (water rescue trained) and one very young sweet golden retriever, who will be using your training method on agility etc. of course on a very light level 1 correction - unlike my Kangal (although he has improved greatly) thanks to your web site and your video.

I was curious on why you don't believe in the halti/gentle leader. Again, I am using your methods, but would like your opinion on why you don't like the halti. Also, I have learned thru my Kangal/Akbash group that Australia and the UK do not permit the use of a prong collar. Have not yet received from the group the reason why, perhaps you know something about this, if indeed it is true.

Perhaps one day, when my "group" becomes smaller I will own one of your fine dogs. Kuvaszok and Kangals don't excel in the obedience area. Obviously I love working with all types of dogs. I've learned a lot thru the different breeds and continue to learn.

I have tried several types of training programs through out the years. I feel yours has an appropriate amount of food reward, verbal reward, and punishment when needed.
Ed
Ed Ed's Answer:
I see no benefit to a halti.

I believe you need to teach a dog to mind on his own. That becomes a process. The LEARNING: CORRECTION: PROOF UNDER DISTRACTION process. A halti has no place in this equation. It does not allow for a correction. I call anything you get from a halti as a nag nag nag from the handler. I don't like people who nag at me and I doubt dogs like to be nagged at.

Prong collars are a very humane way to apply corrections for a short period of time without hurting the dog. They are far safer than a choke collar and do much less damage to the dogs neck.

The animal rights people have blocked their use in the UK. These people have their head up their ass most of the time. I categorize them as "people who know very little, that have very big mouths that have way way too much time on their hands." They should get out and try and train a police service dog with a halti or a dominant Rot with a halti. Maybe if they were on the receiving end of a dog going after his handler because he was not properly trained they would have a different viewpoint.

Maybe with very soft dogs there may be some way to justify one of these thing, but I seriously doubt it.

88% (7 out of 8)
respondents found this answer helpful
Did you find this Q&A helpful?
Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
88% (7 out of 8)
respondents found this answer helpful

Did you find this Q&A helpful?

Recommended Products
Scroll to Top