| I often wonder why people think that the Halti is merely a tool for people who don't REALLY want to train their dog. I am grateful that Mick Trainer contributed to this thread because being in Australia and quite local to where Mick is I am the lucky one who has him training My Sophie girl and myself. Mick is well known and well respected on this forum for his knowledge and expertise when it comes to training and I had what would be described as a super hyperactive young dog who I was beginning to think I would never be able to train. Prior to meeting Mick I had been to a training club for months, one that used the choke or slip chain. Our progression was absolutely zero and I used to leave those lessons in tears and Sophie hated it. Once Mick came on the scene, we used a Halti first up and at the end of the first lesson Sophie was walking WITHOUT PULLING, sitting on command, stopping automatically at corners before crossing the street and actually enjoying working with Mick. A very few lessons after that she became the obedient dog I was proud to walk and training became fun instead of something to be dreaded. Unfortunately the training had to come to a halt as Sophie had to have TPLO surgery but this is getting off topic. The Halti has been the correct training collar for us. Off lead Sophie will still carry out the commands Mick taught us. We are now ready to recommence training with Mick and I will certainly be taking his advice and staying with the Halti. One thing, as Mick said, you have to be taught how to use the device and it becomes second nature to use it effectively. One who doesn't know will pull the dogs head sideways. Mick has taught us this is not the correct way to do it and it just never happens a quick pop upwards is all it needs for correction.  |