The head halter can put you back in   control!

 

 

The head halter dog collar is another form of training collar designed to stop your dog pulling and/or being aggressive, but in a safer manner and with less effort from you. It works on the principle that if you control your dog’s head then you can control your dog.

 

The head halter should not be confused with a muzzle. Halters are training aids to assist you in altering your dog's behaviour, whereas a muzzle is designed to just stop a dog opening its mouth (as in the case of when it is trying to bite). Unlike the muzzle, a dog wearing a head halter is free to eat, drink, and bark until the moment it tries to pull forward or the leash is pulled backwards. The lesson to be learnt by the dog wearing a head halter is clear and immediate - if you don't pull, no constraints will be applied!

The collar, which is usually made of nylon, looks similar to a horse's halter, with one band going around the back of the head and just behind the ears (always leave sufficient slack to be able to slide a finger between the head band and the dog), and the other around the nose. However, unlike a horse halter, which sits down on the bridge of the nose, the halter dog collar sits quite close to the dog’s eyes. The nose strap should be loose enough to move down to the nose when the dog’s mouth is closed, but tight enough to prevent it coming off the end of the nose. The leash is attached to the nose strap directly under the dog’s chin, and as the leash is pulled the dog's head will either be pulled down or to the side. As the body tends to follow the head, it is makes it very difficult for the dog to move ahead and/ or pull you forward.

Additionally, the halter type collars also work by applying pressure on the back or your dog’s neck (scruff) as it attempts to pull away. The effect imitates the dog ritual of ‘scruff shaking’ which is used by other dogs to teach obedience and/or to gain dominance. Head halter enthusiasts claim the likely familiarity of a dog with this manner of correction will make it more accepting and responsive to this type of training collar.

It is probably worth repeating that the halter is intended to guide a dog, and correct it, in the form of gentle pressure around the muzzle and back of the neck. Halters are not meant to be tugged or jerked, and since less strength is required to control a dog, it makes them more suitable for the young, elderly, small, fragile, or disabled dog owner/handler. The head halter could make it possible for people in these categories who were previously denied the pleasure of canine companionship, because of the effort involved in controlling a dog, to now do so!

It is claimed halter dog collars are humane, in that when used properly they shouldn’t cause pain. They are also said to be safer in that pressure is not applied to front of the dog’s throat, as is possible with other collars (compare the head halter with the slip dog collar ), when a dog tries to pull away. One objection raised by critics of the head halter, is that there is a danger of the dog’s head being jerked if it suddenly leaps forward and the previously slack leash snaps taut. As with almost all collars, there are possible dangers if you don’t observe the safeguards. With this type of collar, you should try to keep the dog at your side, but if you do have to use an extended leash, ensure that there is no slack in it.

There are several brands of these halter-type collars including the Halti, Promise, and Gentle Leaders, and new ones are produced from time to time. Each has its own individual merits, but all basically work in a similar manner. As for all types of collars, be sure to get full instructions when you purchase a head halter. Read them carefully, and if in doubt about anything seek further advice. Gradually introduce your dog to the head halter to see how it reacts, and also to allow time for it to get used to wearing the collar. As you should only use the collar when you are with your dog, make sure that your dog can still be identified when the collar is not is use.

 

The advantages of the head halter, when correctly used, appear to be that it offers a way to correct your dog’s behaviour in an effective and humane way. Additionally, even large dogs can be easily controlled because of the relatively small amount of physical effort needed!