Using a Head Halter
By Michelle Posge, DVM
Friday, September 23, 2005
Published in the "Your Pet" column of The Nashua Telegraph.
The column runs on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.
Each profession has it's “tools of the trade”. For me, a veterinary behaviorist, one of the most useful items in my office is the canine head halter.
You probably have seen a dog wearing a head halter, but may not have realized what it was. To some, the head halter looks like a muzzle. Similar to a muzzle, the head halter has a strap that loops over the dog's nose. But unlike a muzzle, this strap is not intended to keep the mouth closed. Dogs wearing head halters are able to open their mouths to pant, eat, drink, and carry a ball. A head halter also has a neck strap that wraps around behind the ears and a metal ring underneath the chin to attach a leash.
Dogs are the only animals that humans try to control with neck collars. It seems ridiculous to imagine navigating a horse, or even a small pony, around the block wearing a collar and leash, but this is what most people do with their dogs.
In fact, most animals are lead by a head harness and it makes sense for dogs too. Dogs instinctively pull harder when pressure is applied using a basic neck collar. Head halters, however, put pressure on the back of the head and redirect the nose back towards you. This causes the dog to instinctively slow or stop and the effect is usually immediate.
There are two popular types of head halters on the market. Both will give you better control of your dog and minimize pulling, although the designs are slightly different. The Gentle Leader® made by Premier has separate nose and neck loops to ensure an exact fit for safety and comfort.
The Halti® by Campbell Pet Company is designed so that the nose and neck loops are connected resulting in a looser fit. This relaxed fit may be more comfortable for some dogs, but it also means the the devise could potentially slip off the head. Campbell Pet Company recently made a design change to address this problem.
My general recommendation when trying a head halter for the first time is to start with a Gentle Leader®, but try a Halti® if your dog has not adjusted to the device after a couple of weeks. Here are a few tips for making a head halter work regardless of the type you use:
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Ensure a proper fit. A poorly fit head halter will be uncomfortable and cause your dog to resist wearing the device. Follow the fitting instructions carefully. Some veterinary hospitals, like the Animal Hospital of Nashua, will fit the halter for you when you buy it from them.
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Go outside. Distract your dog from the new sensation around his nose. Take walk on his favorite path or play with him as he gets used to it. Do not leave him unsupervised.
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Loosen the leash. A taught leash will put tension on your dog's nose and cause him to be uncomfortable. When your dog pulls ahead, gently tighten the leash and then loosen it as soon as he slows or stops. This will teach him that the halter is only uncomfortable when he pulls away from you.
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Never yank the leash. Unlike choke chains and pinch collars, a smooth gentle pull with an immediate release is all you will need to get your dog's attention with a head halter.
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Do not use a retractable leash. Retractable leashes are designed to have constant tension on the leash. A basic six-foot nylon leash will be more comfortable for your dog, yet give him enough space to sniff fire hydrants.
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Keep the leash attached. Since your dog should wear the head harness whenever he is on a leash, save yourself an extra step by removing the halter with the leash still connected.
Head halters are fantastic for behavior problems other than pulling. They are also useful for fearful or aggressive dogs. Head halters will give you better control if your dog lunges at other dogs (or even people). But remember, while head halters can be an important tool in dealing with an aggression problem, it is not a “cure,” and you should seek the advice of a veterinary behaviorist for further treatment.
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