Why I Use a Head Collar for Dogs– Halti or Gentle Leader

Hey there, I’m Barbara! I’m a professional pet pedestrian as well as I love using a head collar for pets!

I was first introduced to head collars in 2012 and also have been utilizing them DAILY since, both on my very own dogs as well as on my customer canines.

They’ve been a complete game changer for me as far as walks are concerned since they transform most pullers right into well-behaved pups on chain.

What is a head collar for dogs?

Indeed, like I simply briefly mentioned, a head collar is a mild no-pull tool. It’s specifically what its name suggests– a collar that a pet dog uses around his head.

That Mutt Ace with his Gentle Leader(he’s not pleased )It includes a(sometimes padded)noseband that loopholes around his nose and also a neck band that closes behind his ears. The ring attachment under the pet’s chin is for the leash the pet is walked on. Think of it as a doggie version of a horse halter! Some head collars have an additional safety attribute in the type of a strap that clips to the pet’s routine collar. If the neck band opens for whatever factor, the pet dog can’t simply remove due to the fact that the leash is still affixed to the regular collar.

There are several different brand names of head collars. Both best known ones are

Halti as well as Gentle Leader. My pet dog

Wally with his head collar Halti I directly favor the Halti over the

Gentle Leader because it features a larger noseband that’s padded. In my opinion, that’s a much better choice since a normal, thin noseband can create chafing on a dog’s nose and also under the eyes. A padded noseband is less likely to do this. Just how does a head collar for canines work? The head collar assists me take care of the pet I’m walking by

regulating the dog’s head. When I need the canine to re-focus instead of area in on an additional pet, individual, or canine, I just guide the pet’s head far from the distraction. Because of the mild pressure the collar puts on the

pet dog’s neck as well as muzzle, their head goes into the direction I want it to take

, and also the body adheres to immediately. Remy with his Gentle Leader It’s fantastic to use as a tool when you’re teaching your pet respectful leash strolling skills and also do not want him to draw. Some individuals only utilize a head collar

as a transitioning tool and stop utilizing it when their pet dog has actually understood the polite leashed stroll. That’s not how I use it! I directly use it every day although my pup Wally is currently extremely well acted on his chain. That’s since he’s one of those dogs that walk flawlessly fine until they get distracted by something like a pet cat or

a loose dog. He goes nuts and also begins leaping about as well as desires to get to whatever it is that’s causing him to respond this way when that happens. It’s for those minutes that I pick to utilize the head collar on a daily basis.

I want to be in control of my canine whatsoever times as well as I wish to be able to redirect him from such an upsetting scenario. The same principle puts on the several different client dogs I’m walking. I’m liable for those canines while they’re in my treatment, as well as head collars give comfort for me.

< iframe title= "How To Use A Gentle Leader Head Collar-Professional Dog Training Tips" width="1200" height="675"src= "https://www.youtube.com/embed/JW_KVUgIozY?feature=oembed"frameborder= "0"enable="accelerometer; autoplay

• ; encrypted-media
• ; gyroscope
• ; picture-in-picture
• “allowfullscreen > Who should use a head collar for dogs? People that can benefit from making use of head collars on pet dogs are those that do not desire canines to draw or otherwise are mischievous while they’re on a leash. In a nutshell, any person

  that handles canines often, like: Dog walkers Pet dog owners Veterinarians Groomers Rescue personnel Anyone who manages a canine who draws hard, lunges or leaps Head collars stop dogs that draw or otherwise misbehave from breaking down when they’re leashed. The best instance for this is one of my clients, young German Shorthaired Pointer Whiskey that pulls a number. In fact that’s an exaggeration. He draws like a freight train, and that’s although he’s a rather little rep of his type.

  He’s likewise a searching type, however his target drive isn’t extremely solid. So that’s not what’s giving me a tough time. It’s his leash walking skills that are merely poor, and also he has an excess amount of energy whenever I see him.

  I’ve tried walking him on different collars to limit his drawing, however the only one that helps him is a head collar. It was a 5 min struggle to place it on him the really very first time I brought it over, however it was a prompt video game changer! Currently he’s used to wearing it, as well as his pulling is very convenient when I walk him.

  

  German Shorthaired Pointer Whiskey putting on among my head collars That being stated, head collars are also fantastic to use on pets that stroll nicely on chain, however who have a strong prey drive that just begins sometimes. That would certainly hold true with my very own pet, Wally!

  Head collars for individuals that deal with pet dogs with solid prey drives

  Wally is a

Feist. That’s a squirrel searching type. Like I claimed earlier, he goes nuts whenever he sees a feline or a squirrel. Now, he’s found out to walk very nicely on a leash. That’s with or without his head collar at this point, and also particularly whenever he wears his doggie backpack.

His strong victim drive in the direction of tiny, rapid moving animals is the reason why I still stroll him on his head collar. It enables me to continue to be in control at all times and to redirect him (essentially), including those when he would love to start a chase!

Visualize you’re strolling your otherwise mannerly Viszla when he wants as well as finds a pet cat to begin a high speed pursuit! Wouldn’t it be nice not to need to bother with your arm being taken out of its socket?! It would be much harder controlling your hunting puppy on a routine collar than if he wore a head collar, I assure that! That’s specifically what inspires me for strolling Wally on a head collar.

Pros of head collars for pet dogs

Baby Remy in his Gentle Leader So as I’ve started mentioning, head collars have a great deal of advantages, such as: 1. Protect against pet dogs from drawing A head collar for canines is a very mild means of controlling your dog when he’s leashed. It’s a remarkable device for mentor respectful chain walking abilities. 2. Head collars are wonderful for responsive pets

It’s equally reliable to handle reactive pet dogs, no matter what or that they’re reacting to. This could be other pets, people, kids, or little pets like pet cats, squirrels, and bunnies.

3. Excellent option to prong collars, choke collars, as well as slip collars

Many people don’t know exactly how to effectively make use of those collars as well as create damage to their pet dog’s throat area as a consequence. That’s a whole lot much less most likely with head collars, which make them a more mild training/walking device.

4. Makes it simple to walk several dogs together

Head collars make it a breeze to stroll numerous pets with each other. That’s especially true if they’re large and also strong, and tend of drawing.

5. It’s cost effective

A head collar prices between $10 and $45, depending on different styles and designs. The ones with a higher rate point are made of leather or have reflective sewing. A lot of pet dog stores lug them, and also they’re also readily available online.

My dog Wally with his natural leather head

collar 6. Is available in various dimensions Head collars are generally available in little, tool, large, and also additional large sizes. My 38 lb puppy Wally uses either tiny or medium sized ones, depending upon the specific manufacturer. My Boxer blends Missy as well as Buzz weighed 50 pound as well as 75 pound, and they put on a tool as well as a plus size head collar, respectively.

Cons of head collars

Certainly there are a few disadvantages of head collars also, although the pros outweigh the cons in my point of view:

1. Take some obtaining utilized to

The majority of pets do not appreciate wearing the head collar initially, and some will also put up a fight trying to get it off. That’s why it’s vital to carefully present it, ideally with smelly treats or food and in mix with a stroll and/or a vehicle flight. It’s just as vital to keep using them to ensure that the dog can begin obtaining utilized to them.

2. Some people error head collars for muzzles It’s

primarily annoying since those individuals assume the pet dog is dangerous. A head collar is nowhere close to being a muzzle since it doesn’t limit the pet’s mouth at all. A pet who wears a head collar can still open his mouth to consume alcohol, consume, get playthings, pant and also bark!

My veterinarian is a solid supporter of head collars as well as constantly tries her finest to talk about it to any individual that has trouble walking their pets. Last time I spoke to her she mentioned just how a person thought her dog was aggressive when she walked him on his head collar. Yes, it’s mainly annoying when it’s incorrect for something it’s not.

3. They can snag the pet dog’s head around

If somebody doesn’t understand how to effectively utilize the head collar on their dog, they can create them pain by jerking their head around. Instead, it’s crucial to delicately reroute the pet dog’s head. The body will instantly comply with.

4. They’re not a great fit for some pet dogs

They don’t work well for brief snouted, brachycephalic canine types like Boxers, Pugs, Bulldogs and Chihuahuas. Nonetheless, my Boxer MIXES had no trouble using them since their snouts weren’t as brief as those of a pure-blooded Boxer.

Walking my Boxer blends Missy & Buzz on their head collars Where I utilize a head collar with my own canine When we’re out on hikes or walks, the most noticeable use of Wally’s head collar is. Because we walk every single day, Wally uses his head collar daily also.

Wally using his head collar on a walk Yet I also utilize it when we

bike together to make sure that he does not pull me off the bike

if he sees a squirrel or a feline. My pet dog Wally with his head collar and backpack on a bike trip Another time when I see to it that Wally wears his head collar is when we go to the veterinarian’s or into a pet-friendly shop.

Wally at a family pet retail store with his head collar Currently we would certainly like to hear from you! Now it’s your turn! Have you used a head collar to walk your canine? Do you have any kind of additional guidance?

If you have any kind of concerns, let us recognize in the comments!

Barbara Rivers creates on a regular basis for That Mutt.

She is a blogger, raw feeder and pet dog pedestrian as well as maintains the

blog site K9s Over Coffee. Relevant articles: Best training collar for extreme pullers (That Mutt)

Prong collar vs. Gentle Leader (That Mutt)

Easy Walk harness testimonial (Puppy in Training blog)

source http://www.luckydogsolutions.com/why-i-use-a-head-collar-for-dogs-halti-or-gentle-leader/