Some dog owners report that their dog stops pulling when wearing the Halti head harness. However, these dogs won’t stop pulling when wearing a normal leash. This is because the Halti doesn’t train your dog to heel. It just gives your dog an unpleasant consequence when he tries to pull. Some dogs may still pull against the Halti head harness. And, they will pull as soon as a different type of harness is used.

Yes. Although we extol the virtues of walking your dog with a harness, a collar is still essential attire for any dog (even when wearing a harness). Aside from being a legal requirement in the UK, a collar also tells others that the dog has an owner and isn’t a stray. A collar also allows you to attach a name tag – extra peace of mind that compliments the mandatory microchip underneath the animal’s skin between the shoulders. This is an aversive tool that can cause distrust, and will not be as effective as positive training methods. Some dog harnesses are also fitted with a soft handle at the top, so you can easily grab the dog if it wants to get involved in a fight or is simply too keen to meet another pooch. Given that dogs will usually exit water at the same place they went in, these handles are also a godsend for helping dogs out of rivers or lakes with steep banks. Do I still need a collar? Hiby, E. (et al), ‘ Dog Training Methods: Their Use, Effectiveness and Interaction with Behavior and Welfare’, Psychology: Animal Welfare (2004)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.

With reflective threads for night walking, a range of 12 colours and a smart design, you can enjoy safe and secure walks with your pooch at any time.

What is a Halti – Summary

The Julius-K9 provides a reassuringly snug fit that doesn’t get in the way of the dog’s movements; the lower chest strap sits just behind the forelegs and doesn’t rub against the elbows. However, it does seem a bit over-engineered. The chest webbing on the Size 1 model we tested is about 5cm in width and strong enough to pull a train. It’s also difficult to adjust. But, they aren’t inherently as cruel as other punishment-based methods people may use to try and stop their dogs from pulling on the leash. The Gentle Leader is another brand of head collar that is very similar to the Halti. It aims to redirect your dog’s head towards you whenever it tries to pull on the leash. If you have a large powerful dog or one that pulls on the lead, you will know how exhausting walks can be. Dogs of all sizes can pull on the lead to the point of choking themselves.