Dog Halters

Head Collar or Head Halters

These are the latest rage for the well-mannered dog and are not to be confused with muzzles. The head collar is similar to a "figure eight" with one strap around the neck directly behind the dog's ears and above his "Adam's apple." The second strap fits around his muzzle, close to the eyes and back of the lips. These fit on the dog's head with the leash attachment under the dog's muzzle. With it, you can gently guide the dog where you want him to go. Because it gives you control of the head - where the head goes, the body must follow.

While wearing a head collar, a dog can still effortlessly pant, drink, eat, and bark. It works on the principle that a regular collar encourages your dog to pull against the pressure on his neck and throat. A head collar works in reverse; by putting steady but firm pressure at the top (scruff) of the neck in much the same manner as a mother dog may discipline her puppies. Even slight pressure at the scruff of the neck and around the muzzle is a correction and leadership method that a dog can understand from the human holding the leash.

Initial training with a head collar should be done under the direct supervision of a qualified trainer, even though a head collar is considered to be far more humane than a pinch or slip collar. When giving a correction, the action of the leash is very different with a head collar than with any of the other training devices. That's why it is so important that you receive proper instruction on its use.

Dogs will have an adjustment period to wearing this collar because it feels funny on their face. There is a right and a wrong way to train a dog while using this head collar. If you just pull him along each time you want him to go "your" way, he will have to come along - you have control of his head. If you want to train him, you must teach him that he can get control over the situation. When you ask him to heel or to walk away from something, he has the opportunity to comply without being forced, and learns to control the halter. On the other hand, if you use the halter to control him all of the time, he will always count on you to drag him away from anything he is trying to investigate.

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