Head Collars
“Are head collars such as Gentle Leaders, Haltis and Snootloops safe for dogs to wear? Can’t a dog hurt its neck?” It’s a pretty simple question, but what some trainers really mean is, “Head collars are bad because I’ve heard they cause injury. How could you possibly use them? Dogs will run to the end and break their necks.” Or “I used one but my dog just pawed at it and didn’t like it.” Or, “I have no control with a head collar when my dog wants to be reactive. She just thrashes around and I’m afraid she’ll damage her neck.” So, what is fact and what is fiction?
How Head Collars Work
First of all, head halters attached to leads are tools designed to help you control your dog by guiding its head, just as halters and lead ropes are used to help control horses. An animal tends to go where its head goes. So, if the dog (or horse) wants to pull on the lead and its head can’t move, it can’t pull you so well. If the dog (or horse) wants to head in one direction and you want to go in another, gently (but not daintily) guide its head in the direction you want to lead the animal.
The nice thing about head collars is that with some dogs, owners can just slap a head collar on and the dog suddenly walks nicely on leash, including around distractions that the dog would have barked and lunged at in the past. In some cases, dogs randomly paw at the funny gear hanging off their faces the way you’d paw at pesky flies buzzing around your head. In other cases, the dog walks nicely and on a loose lead but, when he sees a distraction, he starts to sprint several feet to the end of the leash or barks and lunges and flails to get at the dog, cat, or person in the distance while fighting to get its head loose. Now if this were a person, flailing on the end of a leash attached to an apparatus on his head, he’d surely have a neck injury. However, anyone who has seen a dog that goes to town playing tug-o-war knows that a dog’s neck is built differently. Because of this neck strength, few cases of injury due to head collars have been proven or medically documented (I actually haven’t seen any). Not to say, however that injury couldn’t happen. However, veterinary documented injuries caused or exacerbated by choke chain corrections and electronic collars are easy to find. Most likely if dogs are pulling on their head collar a lot or running to the end, they may need massage or chiropractic care just the way people who work or study at a desk all day need back adjustments periodically.
The Basics of Teaching Dogs to Understand Head Collar Guidance
The fact of the matter is, if you’re concerned about injury due to head collars or difficulty accepting the collar, it’s best to learn the skills needed to actually train the dog to love wearing the head collar and walk politely on a head collar, as well as to teach the owner how to correctly guide the dog in an anatomically natural way. The first step of training dogs to love the head collar is easy. Just pair the head collar with food and systematically train the dog to stick its head further and further through. In most cases where the food and the collar are handled correctly, the dog can learn to shove his nose through in just a minute or two. Practice over several sessions if you’re worried that your dog will especially dislike wearing something odd on his head. On a side note, this method for training dogs to love their head collar is virtually identical to training dogs to love wearing a muzzle.
Once the dog is good at shoving his nose into the head collar, then put the head collar on. Keep the dog focused on you instead of the funny thing on his face. You can lure him with a treat to hurry and follow you a few steps at a time; if he’s doing well after you repeat this five to ten times, increase the number of steps he must take to get the treat. You can also use targeting instead of luring if he already knows how to touch a target with his nose and loves it.
Once your dog’s walking nicely and no longer has the desire to paw the head collar, it’s time to teach him that the leash has a limit. Every time his front feet pass yours, meaning he’s just a second or two from getting far enough ahead to pull, stop dead in your tracks. That will make it clear you’ve stopped and even the slightest pull will mean a halt to his forward movement. Once he clearly steps back towards you and then stands with a loose leash (or better yet, sits), walk forward briskly on a loose lead.
In other words, he learns the lead hanging in a lazy “U” means he gets to walk forward. If the leash starts to tighten, it means you’re stopping. By doing this consistently for as little as one 5-10 minute session, Fido can learn that the leash has a limit that’s predictable. Note: in order for Fido to learn this and continue walking nicely you have to be consistent about how you walk and hold the leash. If you sometimes let him walk ahead and pull a little such that the leash is hanging but like a wide smiley face, or if you stop when his feet get ahead of yours but instead of keeping your leash–holding hand down low at your side– you let Fido pull your hand forward when he continues to walk, you’re sending mixed signals about what you want. Fido may never clearly get what you’re imagining in your head. Have someone watch you so that you can see if you’re always being clear.
Now that Fido can walk with a head collar on in a non-distracting environment, you may be ready to guide him better when distractions appear. When you see something that normally catches his eye, react ahead of time so that he can’t run to the end of a his 6-foot lead. Hold his lead so it’s just one to two feet long but still handling loosely so that you can easily and quickly guide Fido in the direction you want to go. If you hold the leash that way, it will only tighten when you head in the new direction if Fido does not immediately follow. Then, so that Fido knows you have a direction in mind, you must clearly and quickly move in the different direction the same way you’d move if you and a friend were jogging and you had to grab her arm to guide her away from the hole she was about to fall in.
Head Collars Are Most Effective and Safe if You Have the Necessary Skills
Of course the choice to use a head collar is up to the individual; however, if you’re a dog trainer, it’s helpful to know why a head collar might be useful and how to use it more skillfully, beyond the basics described above. The number one reason I recommend head collars to some owners is that a head collar can level the playing field for owners who have mediocre timing and speed. Because the owners are able to guide the head, they can more easily get their dogs’ attention. The use of a head collar can greatly speed up the process of training dogs to focus on their owners and perform fun, polite behaviors instead of reacting to other dogs, people and stimuli. When used correctly, a head collar can even help control anxious dogs so that they can calm down enough to focus and take treats.
What’s my final opinion? I find head halters an invaluable tool, especially when used with skill. I only recommend them when I think the dogs will benefit. I do recommend that owners start dogs off correctly by following the protocol for training them to enjoy wearing their head halters and then to learn how to guide them clearly but safely. If you don’t know how to do this, though, and your dog is less controllable with a head halter, I recommend that you try something else, such as a front-attaching harness or that you get help learning the skills.
Head Halti
A dog halti is simply a head collar that somewhat resembles a halter worn by horses. Also known as a gentle leader, head halter or head collar, a dog halti basically goes over the dog's head with the bigger loop going around the dog's neck and the smaller loop going over the dog's muzzle. A correctly worn halti should allow enough space to allow one finger to slide under the cheek strap.
At times, people confuse the halti with a dog muzzle; however, the two are very different and were built for different purposes. However, it is important to recognize that some models of dog haltis were purposely crafted to allow the mouth to be closed; a feature which may turn handy when dealing with dogs prone to aggression.
The main purpose of a dog halti is to provide better control. Horses are large animals that can be easily controlled by a halter wrapped around their heads; therefore, the halti was crafted with the same idea in mind. Basically, the head collar works by controlling the dog's head, which makes it an ideal training tool for dog owners concerned about being dragged down the street.
The head halter was first crafted by Dr. Roger Mugford about 25 years ago. Dr. Mugford is a UK based leading trainer and animal behaviorist. Owning large dogs such as Irish Wolfhounds and having back problems as well, Dr. Mugford understood the need for better control. Today, dog haltis can be found in any major pet store. Because head halters require some time to get accustomed to, it is best to consult with a reputable dog trainer for advice.
As with most training tools, there are pros and cons to keep in mind before investing in their use. As a dog owner, it is ultimately up to you to choose the most appropriate training tool for your dog. If you are uncertain, ask a dog trainer for advice.
Canny Collar
The Canny Collar is a simple dog training collar designed to stop pulling on the lead and make walking your dog a pleasure. Comfortable, kind, safe and effective, its revolutionary 'behind-the-head' design makes it easy to fit and simple to use, transforming even the worst pullers into happy, well-behaved pets.
As the Canny Collar clips to your dog's lead behind the head rather than under the chin, this means it will not ride up into your dog's eyes nor yank his head to one side. It is generously padded for comfort and the single piece of material over your dog's nose allows him to breathe freely, open his mouth and enjoy his walk as much as you both want him to. Used and recommended by organisations such as the RSPCA and The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, the Canny Collar is everything you are looking for when wishing to humanely train your dog to walk on a loose lead.
If you're looking for an easy solution to your dog pulling problems, look no further than the Canny Collar. You'll be in good company. Since it was launched, more than half a million dog owners worldwide have discovered the simple pleasure of walking their dogs on a loose lead
Gencon Collar
The Gencon All-in-1 and Head collars are made from soft yet durable fabric and are specifically designed not to pull up into your dog’s eyes or uncomfortably turn their head, making them the perfect lead training accessories for grown dogs and puppy walking. The gencon is an all-in-one piece of equipment from the head collar to end of lead. When your dog pulls, both loops tighten restricting the whole head, the dog backs off from the restriction. Only gentle pressure is needed, and there is no need to jerk. Make sure the Gencon is fitted correctly and it is slackening when the pressure is taken off the lead.
Dogmatic Head Collar
The dogmatic is very comfortable to wear and offers complete but gentle control. The unique strapping under and at the sides of the chin ensures the Dogmatic stays in place and the nose band does not ride up under or into the eyes which causes distress and discomfort to your dog.
The loop under the chin to which the lead is attached works independently of the other straps and can be moved forward, downwards, back, upwards or sideways as required without causing any other straps to lose their position. This means the handler can move and alter their dog’s head position leading to total control.
An extra bonus is that, in an emergency, the Dogmatic can be used to close your dog’s mouth and turn it’s head to enable you to keep it safe but the loop immediately releases again, allowing your dog to once again pant, drink, carry a toy, eat a treat... We have combined safety with comfort and use top quality materials, fittings workmanship. Because your dog deserves the best! If your dog is comfortable, it will pay attention and be more open to training/instruction... without any undue distress.
The Dogmatic should not be confused with a muzzle as it allows your dog to pant, eat, drink and carry a toy whilst wearing it and also has the added benefit of a calming influence!
Breed Specific
The Dogmatic is available in sizes to fit the majority of Breeds and crossbreeds.
Whatever size or shape of dog, we feel sure we have a choice of Dogmatic Headcollar to suit your needs!
“Are head collars such as Gentle Leaders, Haltis and Snootloops safe for dogs to wear? Can’t a dog hurt its neck?” It’s a pretty simple question, but what some trainers really mean is, “Head collars are bad because I’ve heard they cause injury. How could you possibly use them? Dogs will run to the end and break their necks.” Or “I used one but my dog just pawed at it and didn’t like it.” Or, “I have no control with a head collar when my dog wants to be reactive. She just thrashes around and I’m afraid she’ll damage her neck.” So, what is fact and what is fiction?
How Head Collars Work
First of all, head halters attached to leads are tools designed to help you control your dog by guiding its head, just as halters and lead ropes are used to help control horses. An animal tends to go where its head goes. So, if the dog (or horse) wants to pull on the lead and its head can’t move, it can’t pull you so well. If the dog (or horse) wants to head in one direction and you want to go in another, gently (but not daintily) guide its head in the direction you want to lead the animal.
The nice thing about head collars is that with some dogs, owners can just slap a head collar on and the dog suddenly walks nicely on leash, including around distractions that the dog would have barked and lunged at in the past. In some cases, dogs randomly paw at the funny gear hanging off their faces the way you’d paw at pesky flies buzzing around your head. In other cases, the dog walks nicely and on a loose lead but, when he sees a distraction, he starts to sprint several feet to the end of the leash or barks and lunges and flails to get at the dog, cat, or person in the distance while fighting to get its head loose. Now if this were a person, flailing on the end of a leash attached to an apparatus on his head, he’d surely have a neck injury. However, anyone who has seen a dog that goes to town playing tug-o-war knows that a dog’s neck is built differently. Because of this neck strength, few cases of injury due to head collars have been proven or medically documented (I actually haven’t seen any). Not to say, however that injury couldn’t happen. However, veterinary documented injuries caused or exacerbated by choke chain corrections and electronic collars are easy to find. Most likely if dogs are pulling on their head collar a lot or running to the end, they may need massage or chiropractic care just the way people who work or study at a desk all day need back adjustments periodically.
The Basics of Teaching Dogs to Understand Head Collar Guidance
The fact of the matter is, if you’re concerned about injury due to head collars or difficulty accepting the collar, it’s best to learn the skills needed to actually train the dog to love wearing the head collar and walk politely on a head collar, as well as to teach the owner how to correctly guide the dog in an anatomically natural way. The first step of training dogs to love the head collar is easy. Just pair the head collar with food and systematically train the dog to stick its head further and further through. In most cases where the food and the collar are handled correctly, the dog can learn to shove his nose through in just a minute or two. Practice over several sessions if you’re worried that your dog will especially dislike wearing something odd on his head. On a side note, this method for training dogs to love their head collar is virtually identical to training dogs to love wearing a muzzle.
Once the dog is good at shoving his nose into the head collar, then put the head collar on. Keep the dog focused on you instead of the funny thing on his face. You can lure him with a treat to hurry and follow you a few steps at a time; if he’s doing well after you repeat this five to ten times, increase the number of steps he must take to get the treat. You can also use targeting instead of luring if he already knows how to touch a target with his nose and loves it.
Once your dog’s walking nicely and no longer has the desire to paw the head collar, it’s time to teach him that the leash has a limit. Every time his front feet pass yours, meaning he’s just a second or two from getting far enough ahead to pull, stop dead in your tracks. That will make it clear you’ve stopped and even the slightest pull will mean a halt to his forward movement. Once he clearly steps back towards you and then stands with a loose leash (or better yet, sits), walk forward briskly on a loose lead.
In other words, he learns the lead hanging in a lazy “U” means he gets to walk forward. If the leash starts to tighten, it means you’re stopping. By doing this consistently for as little as one 5-10 minute session, Fido can learn that the leash has a limit that’s predictable. Note: in order for Fido to learn this and continue walking nicely you have to be consistent about how you walk and hold the leash. If you sometimes let him walk ahead and pull a little such that the leash is hanging but like a wide smiley face, or if you stop when his feet get ahead of yours but instead of keeping your leash–holding hand down low at your side– you let Fido pull your hand forward when he continues to walk, you’re sending mixed signals about what you want. Fido may never clearly get what you’re imagining in your head. Have someone watch you so that you can see if you’re always being clear.
Now that Fido can walk with a head collar on in a non-distracting environment, you may be ready to guide him better when distractions appear. When you see something that normally catches his eye, react ahead of time so that he can’t run to the end of a his 6-foot lead. Hold his lead so it’s just one to two feet long but still handling loosely so that you can easily and quickly guide Fido in the direction you want to go. If you hold the leash that way, it will only tighten when you head in the new direction if Fido does not immediately follow. Then, so that Fido knows you have a direction in mind, you must clearly and quickly move in the different direction the same way you’d move if you and a friend were jogging and you had to grab her arm to guide her away from the hole she was about to fall in.
Head Collars Are Most Effective and Safe if You Have the Necessary Skills
Of course the choice to use a head collar is up to the individual; however, if you’re a dog trainer, it’s helpful to know why a head collar might be useful and how to use it more skillfully, beyond the basics described above. The number one reason I recommend head collars to some owners is that a head collar can level the playing field for owners who have mediocre timing and speed. Because the owners are able to guide the head, they can more easily get their dogs’ attention. The use of a head collar can greatly speed up the process of training dogs to focus on their owners and perform fun, polite behaviors instead of reacting to other dogs, people and stimuli. When used correctly, a head collar can even help control anxious dogs so that they can calm down enough to focus and take treats.
What’s my final opinion? I find head halters an invaluable tool, especially when used with skill. I only recommend them when I think the dogs will benefit. I do recommend that owners start dogs off correctly by following the protocol for training them to enjoy wearing their head halters and then to learn how to guide them clearly but safely. If you don’t know how to do this, though, and your dog is less controllable with a head halter, I recommend that you try something else, such as a front-attaching harness or that you get help learning the skills.
Head Halti
A dog halti is simply a head collar that somewhat resembles a halter worn by horses. Also known as a gentle leader, head halter or head collar, a dog halti basically goes over the dog's head with the bigger loop going around the dog's neck and the smaller loop going over the dog's muzzle. A correctly worn halti should allow enough space to allow one finger to slide under the cheek strap.
At times, people confuse the halti with a dog muzzle; however, the two are very different and were built for different purposes. However, it is important to recognize that some models of dog haltis were purposely crafted to allow the mouth to be closed; a feature which may turn handy when dealing with dogs prone to aggression.
The main purpose of a dog halti is to provide better control. Horses are large animals that can be easily controlled by a halter wrapped around their heads; therefore, the halti was crafted with the same idea in mind. Basically, the head collar works by controlling the dog's head, which makes it an ideal training tool for dog owners concerned about being dragged down the street.
The head halter was first crafted by Dr. Roger Mugford about 25 years ago. Dr. Mugford is a UK based leading trainer and animal behaviorist. Owning large dogs such as Irish Wolfhounds and having back problems as well, Dr. Mugford understood the need for better control. Today, dog haltis can be found in any major pet store. Because head halters require some time to get accustomed to, it is best to consult with a reputable dog trainer for advice.
As with most training tools, there are pros and cons to keep in mind before investing in their use. As a dog owner, it is ultimately up to you to choose the most appropriate training tool for your dog. If you are uncertain, ask a dog trainer for advice.
Canny Collar
The Canny Collar is a simple dog training collar designed to stop pulling on the lead and make walking your dog a pleasure. Comfortable, kind, safe and effective, its revolutionary 'behind-the-head' design makes it easy to fit and simple to use, transforming even the worst pullers into happy, well-behaved pets.
As the Canny Collar clips to your dog's lead behind the head rather than under the chin, this means it will not ride up into your dog's eyes nor yank his head to one side. It is generously padded for comfort and the single piece of material over your dog's nose allows him to breathe freely, open his mouth and enjoy his walk as much as you both want him to. Used and recommended by organisations such as the RSPCA and The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, the Canny Collar is everything you are looking for when wishing to humanely train your dog to walk on a loose lead.
If you're looking for an easy solution to your dog pulling problems, look no further than the Canny Collar. You'll be in good company. Since it was launched, more than half a million dog owners worldwide have discovered the simple pleasure of walking their dogs on a loose lead
Gencon Collar
The Gencon All-in-1 and Head collars are made from soft yet durable fabric and are specifically designed not to pull up into your dog’s eyes or uncomfortably turn their head, making them the perfect lead training accessories for grown dogs and puppy walking. The gencon is an all-in-one piece of equipment from the head collar to end of lead. When your dog pulls, both loops tighten restricting the whole head, the dog backs off from the restriction. Only gentle pressure is needed, and there is no need to jerk. Make sure the Gencon is fitted correctly and it is slackening when the pressure is taken off the lead.
Dogmatic Head Collar
The dogmatic is very comfortable to wear and offers complete but gentle control. The unique strapping under and at the sides of the chin ensures the Dogmatic stays in place and the nose band does not ride up under or into the eyes which causes distress and discomfort to your dog.
The loop under the chin to which the lead is attached works independently of the other straps and can be moved forward, downwards, back, upwards or sideways as required without causing any other straps to lose their position. This means the handler can move and alter their dog’s head position leading to total control.
An extra bonus is that, in an emergency, the Dogmatic can be used to close your dog’s mouth and turn it’s head to enable you to keep it safe but the loop immediately releases again, allowing your dog to once again pant, drink, carry a toy, eat a treat... We have combined safety with comfort and use top quality materials, fittings workmanship. Because your dog deserves the best! If your dog is comfortable, it will pay attention and be more open to training/instruction... without any undue distress.
The Dogmatic should not be confused with a muzzle as it allows your dog to pant, eat, drink and carry a toy whilst wearing it and also has the added benefit of a calming influence!
Breed Specific
The Dogmatic is available in sizes to fit the majority of Breeds and crossbreeds.
Whatever size or shape of dog, we feel sure we have a choice of Dogmatic Headcollar to suit your needs!
