The Pros and Cons of Dog Head Collars

There are a variety of dog collars available in the market. Choosing the right one for your dog can be a daunting process. Asking for help from the store employee may be helpful but usually not. There are a couple of different types of head collars available and it is important that you choose the right type for your dog. Dogs can easily slip the collars when they get excited and this is because you might have chosen the wrong one. The first question should be is a head collars the right choice for my dog or not? Hopefully this article will help you make that decision.

Head collars

These types of collars are also known as the Halti and the Gentle Leader because they resemble a horse halter. These collars are a good solution for the dogs that pulls too much. They are sometimes used in behavioral modifications for dogs to prevent lunging, jumping, pulling. These collars can provide better control for the owners. Here are a few pros and cons explained

Pros

This collar prevents strain on the dogs trachea

Dogs will not respond to the pressure

They are widely used in behavioral modification programs

Cons

Not ideal for dogs with short muzzles

Dogs will not like wearing it in the beginning and may have a hard time

Could cause neck injuries and skin abrasion

It does not teach the dog to walk without pulling using its regular collar

How these collars work?

They are designed in such a manner that it helps in guiding and keeping full control over your dog because your dog will move in the direction where the head goes. So if the dog wants to pull he will not be able to do that because he will not be able to move his head. The nice thing with this type of collar is that owners can immediately have their dog stop pulling. Some dogs will fight to get rid of head collars with their paws so don't give them the chance. As soon as you put it on start walking at a brisk pace so your dog doesn't have a chance to fight it.

Make the collar a fun experience

It is important that you make putting the collar on a fun experience for your dog so that he loves wearing head collar and walks nicely with it. The first thing is to pair it with treats. After making your dog calm put on the collar gently. You can reward him with the treats and then take the collar off. Repeat this process several times over the first few days. You can reward your dog when he wears the collar and does not struggle trying to get it off.

Remember if you make this a fun experience for your dog he will reward you with a nice, enjoyable walk around the block!

At the beginning I mentioned selecting the right head collar. In my opinion that is the Halti because it come with a small extra strap that allows you to connect the Halti to your dog's existing collar. Doing this means that if your dog were to slip the Halti your dog is still attached to the leash. In my opinion this one feature makes the Halti a no brainer over the Gentle Leader.