What is a head halter or head collar?
A head halter, also known as a head collar, is a behavioral tool used to guide or lead a dog. The halter has two loops: one loop fits high on the neck, just behind the ears, while the second loop encircles the dog’s snout or muzzle. The leash connects under the dog’s chin or behind the ears, depending on the brand of the halter.
A head halter can gently pull a dog’s mouth closed when pressure is applied to the nose loop, but it is not a muzzle. A dog can still bite while wearing a head halter. If you need a tool to prevent your dog from biting, it is best to consult with a behavior expert who can guide you in the management and training needed to reduce the risk of biting.
What is the purpose of a head halter?
Head halters provide more physical control than standard harnesses or flat collars. As the dog pulls forward, the nose loop puts pressure on the snout, guiding the dog’s head into a turn. A small amount of pressure applied with the leash will guide the dog’s head away from a stimulus, allowing the handler to more easily redirect their dog. A head halter can help walk a strong dog, particularly if the dog becomes excited and pulls. Head halters can also help keep a powerful dog from pulling away or pulling their handler to the ground.
It is essential to promptly relax the leash as the dog begins to change position. The release of pressure is rewarding to the dog. If the leash remains taut, the dog will experience steady pressure regardless of whether they pull forward or turn away. Releasing pressure is crucial for proper use of a head halter. In addition to releasing pressure on the leash, you can reward your dog with treats and praise to further facilitate training.
For safety reasons, never snap or jerk the leash when the dog is wearing a head halter, as doing so could cause neck injury. Never use a head halter with a long line or retractable leash. A head halter should be combined with a body harness or flat collar, using a safety clip to ensure the dog does not escape if the head halter is accidentally removed. Dogs with neck injuries should not wear a halter or collar around their neck or snout and should be fitted with a body harness.
What types of head halters are available?
Different brands have different head halter styles. Select a design that provides a comfortable fit for your dog’s head. More importantly, consider the leash attachment: under the chin or behind the ears.
Halters with the leash attachment under the chin include the Gentle Leader® and the Halti™. This type of leash attachment allows you to easily guide your dog’s head by gently pulling the leash to the side. If your dog is next to you, lifting the leash upward will direct your dog’s nose upward. This type of head halter can also temporarily close the dog’s mouth in an emergency (e.g., a dog is about to pick up something dangerous).
Halters with the leash attachment behind the ears include the Canny Collar™ and NewTrix™. When you pull the leash, the halter over the bridge of the dog’s nose tightens slightly, which causes the dog to lean back instead of pulling forward. These halters are specifically designed to reduce leash pulling, not to redirect the dog’s head position.
How do I make sure a head halter fits properly?
Each brand of head halter includes sizing instructions; refer to the package insert to select a good fit or consult with a behavior professional. Your dog should be able to eat treats, pant, drink water, and play with a toy while wearing a head halter. The halter should not interfere with your dog’s ability to open their mouth.
How do I get started with a head halter?
It is essential to introduce the head halter gently and patiently. Most dogs are not accustomed to having a strap that wraps around their snout. Some dogs may tolerate a head halter after just a few minutes, while others may need multiple sessions over several weeks to become comfortable wearing this equipment.
If your dog shows signs of distress during the conditioning process, consult a behavior or training expert for guidance. The head halter is not intended to cause a dog to cower, rub their face repeatedly, or “shut down.” Head halters are not right for every dog and should be selected with care for specific situations.
To introduce a head halter:
- Identify something that prompts a positive emotional state in your dog, such as a delicious small treat or favorite toy.
- Let your dog see the head halter and immediately provide a tiny, amazing treat or toy to link the head halter with the treat or toy.
- Repeat this process several times and do not move to the next step until your dog appears as happy at the sight of the halter as they do at the sight of the treat or toy.
- Practice the “treat magnet” exercise without the head halter: Hold the treat in your hand. Allow your dog to sniff and lick the treat, then use the treat like a “magnet” to lure your dog around. Every 1 to 2 steps, give the dog a small piece of the treat. Make sure the dog can follow the treat for several steps at a time and change directions to follow the treat.
- Use the “treat magnet” exercise to show your dog the head halter. Hold a treat between your fingers and then place the loop of the head halter on your hand, encircling your fingers. When your dog shows interest in the treat magnet, feed the treat from your fingers with the head halter looped over your hand.
- Repeat the process, slowly extending the time the dog licks the treat magnet and feed 2 to 3 treats a few seconds apart.
- When the dog is comfortable keeping their nose near the head halter for 2 to 3 treats, you’re ready to practice moving the loop closer to the dog. While the dog is eating their treat, use your opposite hand to gently move the loop toward the dog’s nose. Feed a treat, then remove the loop back to its starting position.
- Repeat this process, gradually moving the loop further onto the bridge of the dog’s muzzle, over multiple repetitions. Remove the loop completely between repetitions.
- When your dog is comfortable with you placing the loop completely over their nose and staying in position for 2 to 3 treats, start practicing closing the neck strap.
- While the dog’s nose is in the loop, feed a treat, then glide your hands to the neck straps and gently position them around the dog’s neck without clipping the buckle. Feed another treat when the neck straps are around the dog’s neck.
- When the dog is comfortable wearing the neck strap, begin clipping the buckle closed during some repetitions. After you close the buckle, give a treat. Then open the buckle and remove the head halter for another practice repetition.
- When you can buckle the halter while the dog remains cheerful and engaged, start buckling the halter and then playing a fun game, such as fetch, tug with a favorite toy, or chasing several tossed treats.
- Repeat step 12, gradually lengthening the time the dog wears the head halter. Avoid removing the halter when your dog paws or rubs the nose loop. Instead, try to distract them with treats until they have stopped rubbing for a few moments, then unclip and remove it.
- If your dog looks comfortable wearing the head halter, even with brief pauses between treats or toys, attach the leash and practice walking indoors.
When your dog can comfortably wear the head halter while walking indoors, try using it outside, in more distracting environments, and finally, on a real walk. Reminder: when taking your dog outside with the head halter, be sure to have the leash clipped to a secure, familiar harness or flat collar. That way, if you or your dog are uncomfortable for any reason, you can easily and safely unclip the leash from the head halter.
How do I train my dog with the head halter?
Head halters can reduce the power of your dog’s pull when walking on a lead and can help you steer your dog away from an appealing but dangerous object on the ground. You can safely train your dog to respond to verbal cues by using reward-based training methods that do not rely on you pulling or snapping the lead. It is never safe or appropriate to purposely snap or jerk the leash when your dog is wearing a head halter.
Initial training of new cues should always be done in a quiet environment with no distractions. Cues may include “sit,” “heel,” “don’t pull,” “leave it,” and “drop it.” If you are working on a behavior modification program, such as desensitization and counterconditioning, your goal is to reduce your dog’s emotional response to a stimulus, so initial sessions should be done with the stimulus at a low enough intensity that your dog is fully relaxed and able to concentrate.
Once you begin to add distractions or increase the intensity of the trigger stimulus, the head halter provides added security that your dog cannot suddenly pull away from you and the pulling strength will be reduced. The head halter also makes it easier to turn your dog away from the stimulus in an urgent situation.
The head halter is meant to be a safety net that you use when your dog has learned the necessary verbal cues and has achieved a relaxed emotional state. If your dog repeatedly attempts to run away from or lunge toward a stimulus, consult a behavior professional who is skilled with reward-based behavior training.
Can the head halter be combined with other equipment?
Yes, the head halter should be combined with other equipment. It is always important that your dog wears a standard flat collar or harness along with the head halter.
A head halter can also be combined with a basket muzzle. Your veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist may recommend a muzzle as a part of your dog’s comprehensive behavior modification plan. A Gentle Leader® is one of the easiest head halters to combine with a basket muzzle because of the fit and strap design, and because it can be incorporated into the neck strap of some basket muzzles to decrease the total number of items your dog needs to wear.
It is always a good idea to consult a behavior specialist for guidance in fitting and conditioning the head halter — it can be tricky. Be sure to find someone who understands the importance of gentle handling and positive reinforcement.
