Halti Dog Collars > Reviews (31)

It's been a tragic love affair between me and my Halti. I've always been extremely opposed to them, for two reasons. The first reason is practical; I don't believe they actually teach dogs to walk to heel. I've never met a Halti-trained dog that would heel without the Halti. The second reason, I'm ashamed to say, is an extremely poxy sort of professional pride. I hate admitting I need a gadget to control my dog. Shouldn't I be able to just train the darned animal to behave?

These reasons held until someone very kindly abandoned a 40kg Rottweiler with me. I'm under 5'. If we sit side by side, he's taller than me. And of course, they never bothered to train him to behave on a walk before dumping him, that'd be too easy.

We were making some progress on a check chain until a cat ran across the footpath. The dog bolted and pulled me over. Two weeks later, when I was able to walk again, a friend gave me a Halti with a determined look in her eyes.

Ok, I have to admit it, the thing is magic. I walk this behemoth of a dog and there is just no pull on him - absolutely no resistance. It's like walking a jack russell. In fact, I was momentarily tempted to get one for my wayward puppy, just because it'd make life easier. It is a pretty easy contraption to put on. It looks a bit naff, I think, but hey, who cares if it works, which it does. I was entirely converted.

This was until this evening, when I decided to give the Halti a wash. I noticed that the the critical bit of webbing that goes over the nose and attaches to the lead, which is the bit that actually controls the dog, is really badly warn. Only about half the webbing is still in place. The thing is effectively useless. I wouldn't mind if I'd used it a lot, but he's had about ten walks on it. I had a good look and the problem is that the rings used are made of a rectangular section of metal, so that as they rub on the webbing they wear it down.

Now, I know he's a big boy, and I know he's a git and pulls, but surely this is what a Halti should be made to withstand? If I had a well-behaved small dog I would not need a Halti at all.

I'm not pleased at my money having evaporated so quickly. £11 for 10 walks - I don't call that value for money. I'm now in the mad position of having to find an imitation product in the hope that it will be more durable.