Halti help needed

[MuffinMclay]

Inspired by a recent thread about the wonders of Haltis I decided to give then another go with my springer (we'd tried a couple of years ago but then he wriggled out of it).

To some extent it is working, in that he no longer yanks my arm off as he walks, and he has only managed to pull the whole thing off once. However, he hates it so much that he spends all the time on the lead with his head down on the floor scratching at his nose in a vain attempt to pull it off. He now has a very sore nose which is bleeding every walk (quite badly). He just doesn't seem to be getting the message.

I've tried distracting him with treats but he is too focussed on the scratching thing to take them. We've been using it for 2 weeks now, btw.

have you tried a harness? that may be more comfortable for him..

Can you try distracting him with a squeaky toy, tennis ball etc.
Our Springer is quite happy to have his on when he's carrying a toy.
He also keeps his on when he's running free. I suspect he's not bright enough to remember he's wearing it
I use a Halti link to attach his Halti to his collar for extra security. I got mine in Pets at Home

Bless him! If its making him bleed then its not working properly - it either needs to be refitted or maybe you could try a pulling harness? I work in a petshop that sells a type called 'Stop n Pull' which seem to have a very positive effect on most dogs, but there are loads of others that do the same job.

Although, be aware that all these halti's/Lupi's and harnesses are just training aids so they need to be used with caution and care (I'm sure you do though )

I've found the best way of training a dog on a harness or halti is to (as Macdog says) distract them, by using their name and specific, one word, one syllable commands. Combine this with walking for 10 paces, stop, 5 paces, stop, 10 paces, turn around etc. This keeps their attention and makes them focus on you and not on the halti.

Easier said than done tho

Oops , just realised you meant he was bleeding from scratching - sorry!

Same advice applies tho, but more so that may be a pulling harness may be more suitable for him?

carrying a ball used to help distract ours from scratching, but it does sound like it is really bothering him. Ours only drew blood a couple of times, not every time, but they did stop scratching altogether until they got too old to!

Have you tried a choker lead? We've had some luck with them. Depends on the dog really.

The other alternative is a body harness that tightens as it pulls, but these don't seen very sturdy for large breeds.

We've tried harnesses of various types, but he still pulls like a train with those, and I can't manage it any more (pushing ds in pushchair at the same time or carrying him on my back).

We do have the Halti link.

I'll try harder with the distracting technique - perhaps yummier treats or a squeaky ball might help.

Harnesses are designed to enable a dog to pull better (tis the whole aim of a harness) so I wouldn't put a dog on one if s/he pulled!!

Have you tried walking on a normal lead, but everytime he pulls just stopping. It'll take time but he should realise that he's pulling and you're going nowhere. Then when he stops pulling, start walking again, stopping dead if he pulls. It'll take a while (and won't be easy) but eventually he'll learn if he pulls, he gets nowhere. You can also add in the command of no pulling as you stand there as added re-enforcement.

You WILL look like a prat, but I promise it does work!!

Have tried the normal lead/no pulling thing, but he doesn't seem to get the message at all. Perhaps I give up to easily?

He's not the brightest dog in the world though...

Keep persevering!! He's bound to get it in the end!

Try and do as PotatoOfDoom says and stop and start with him (kind of what I was trying to explain but she wrote it much more logically than me!).

I tried for months to get my Lab to walk on a halti and he just never got used to it, hence why I suggested the harness (altho, I do mean the kind of harness that works in the same way as a check/choke collar in that it tightens when they pull then slackens off when they stop pulling - obviously if you put a normal harness on him he will just use it to throw all of his body weight into and end up pullng you over!).

With most dogs its a question of regaining their attention. I combined the stop/start training (and yes, you do look like a fool!) with going on different walks all the time so he never knew where we were going - the minute he thought we were off to the park/beach etc he was off!

Good luck, Muffin.
As a fellow Springer owner you have my every sympathy .

I used mine as a last resort with my dog when I had a bout of tendonitis after the birth of dd.
I wish I had done it earlier.

Have you tried putting it on him around the house, eg when he's having his dinner?
I started putting his on then playing a really frantic, fun game. When the game stopped, his Halti came off.
He is now switched on to his Halti meaning a really fun game of fetch/chase the train in the park.
It was all about getting a fun association in his head connected with the Halti.

I really hope you find a solution that suits you all

Great idea about experimenting with it in the house and trying to associate it with 'fun' generally. I'll try that.

I'll persevere on walks too. I don't mind about looking stupid, as we rarely meet anyone I know on walks (and I'm used to commuters smirking at me and my pulling dog as they drive by).

Thanks everyone.

How's it going Muffin?
Any progress?

It takes a long time to get through to a Springer, doesn't it

I wimped out today, I'm afraid. I took him out in the car on a walk where he didn't need to go on the lead at all.

I meant to practice in the house, but it didn't happen. Must try harder tomorrow...

How are things ?

Still no news I'm afraid. SIL has borrowed the dog for a few days but didn't want to take the Halti.

He's back on Tuesday and training can start in earnest.

I don't like being in a dog free house. It seems too still and empty.

Move before he comes back
I'll post you mine!!