Nothing Butt Huskies

Kodi has presented a challenge that Echo didn’t. Kelly, all those years ago, was challenging, but not to the degree Kodi is. He’s a real ‘puller’ when we’re walking.

Huskies, by nature, are bred to pull. They are muscular, athletic dogs who are happiest when they have a job to do. Putting a harness on some Huskies seems to trigger a kind of primal instinct to dig in and pull as hard as possible.

From the time he was 7 weeks old, until approximately 5 months of age, he broke no less than 3 collars.

I had always used a harness when walking Echo, it offered me something to take a hold of if I needed to help her along and it seemed the most comfortable solution to the possibility of pulling against the collar, so I immediately geared Kodi up with a harness. This proved to be problematic.

I walk Kodi while I ride in a power chair. For the most part, I was able to use the highest speed setting, to keep him at a modest trot while out walking, benefiting from the increased exercise. A light tug against the harness with the leash and he would slow down, fall into place beside my chair and we would have a pleasant walk.

Unfortunately, my husband can’t walk as fast as my chair can move, so Kodi became conditioned, so it seemed, to trot rather than walk, causing him to pull against my husband for the duration of their walks.

Adding to the situation were the numerous squirrels, rabbits, cats, butterflies and whatever else that would cross our path or Kodi’s line of sight and he would inevitably dart or lunge after them, feeling as if he were tearing my arm from its socket.

As if this wasn’t enough to deal with, Kodi would be grabbed, several times, from behind by children when we walked through the park causing him to dart away from them, away from me or in front of my chair, often hurting me or causing his toes to be run over in the process.

I talked to a friend who has experience with Huskies and they recommended the “Gentle Leader” or the “Halti”. Both products are head harnesses, much like the halter used to lead horses. The idea is that if you lead/guide the nose and head the body will follow.

In our area, I couldn’t purchase a “Gentle Leader”, so my Veterinarian recommended and sold me a “Halti”. After consultation with the Veterinarian on use of the “Halti”, I set out to introduce it to Kodi.

It is a strap that fastens high on the back of the head just behind the ears, with a loop that slips over the nose. The leash attaches under the lower jaw and the “Halti” secures to the traditional collar in case the dog slips out of it, they will still be attached to your leash.

It looks like a muzzle, but it isn’t. It fits loosely, allowing for eating, drinking, playing ball, panting, any normal activity. When the dog pulls against the leash, the loop over the nose closes and applies slight pressure at the stop, the same place a mother dog will apply pressure to relax her puppy.

It allows you to guide them without pulling on their neck and without them feeling the need to pull against the leash. They quickly learn as long as they walk on a ‘loose lead’, they have complete freedom without any pressure, but when they resist or pull they apply pressure that quickly corrects the behavior.

I found, with Kodi, this curbed his pulling instantly. I offered him treats through the nose loop when I introduced him to the “Halti” and let it dangle freely from his nose without putting it on and securing it several times, so he was comfortable with it.

At first he tried to take it off by pawing at it and occasionally stopped and resisted, but as we’ve continued to work with him that behavior has stopped.

The very first walk with the “Halti” was incredible, the difference obvious. He walked beside my chair at whatever pace I determined and when my husband walked him, he was shocked that he didn’t pull and stayed next to him when they walked.

Kodi is easy going when it comes to new gear, taking instantly to wearing a collar, walking on the leash and being outside on an airline cable to play. He adapted well to the harness and equally as well to the “Halti”.

I would recommend the “Halti” or any similar product to anyone who owns a Husky or powerful breed. If I had known about this product I’d have started him on it immediately upon bringing him home.