Dog training -

Training your dog

with a head collar

There are many devices used in the world of

dog training, and some

are obviously more effective than others. One of

the dog training

devices that does work well, however, is known

collectively as the

head collar.

The head collar is a device that is designed to wrap

around the nose of

the dog and then attach behind the head. It uses the

pressure points

on the dog’s nose and head to apply pressure

which stops the dog

from pulling, jumping and straining against the

leash.

Many people who see head collars mistake them for

muzzles. This can

make many people nervous when the dog is out

and about, and it

bothers some dog owners as well. Beyond that,

however, the head

collar can be a valuable training tool for many dogs,

particularly large

breeds that may have learned their own

strength and are difficult to

control with a normal buckle collar.

There are two main brands of head collar on the

market, the Halti and

the Gentle Leader. Most people find the Gentle

Leader easier to use

than the Halti. In addition, the Gentle Leader is

designed to fasten

around the dog’s neck. With this design, if the

dog manages to

remove the muzzle portion, it is still wearing a

collar. While it is

difficult for most dogs to get out of the muzzle

portion of a head collar,

some dogs do figure out how to perform this trick.

The Halti version, on the other hand, generally

provides better control

of the dog, and it is often favored with those

working with large,

aggressive dogs for that reason.

Training the dog with a head collar is often

easier for beginning dog

trainers and inexperienced dog owners than is

training with a regular

buckle color. Head collars are quite good at

stopping even the

strongest dogs from pulling and straining, since

these devices use

leverage to give the handler more control.

Head collars are often favored by many people

for handling dogs in

difficult situations, such as being around other dogs

or taking a trip to

the vet. A head collar can be quite effective at

controlling the dog in

frightening and difficult situations, even when it is

not used for regular

training.

It is better, actually, to use head collars as occasional

training tools or

reminders, not as a replacement for a regular buckle

collar or training

collar. That is because many dogs quickly learn

to tell the difference

between the head collar and the normal collar,

and adjust their

behavior accordingly. Therefore, the dog that

behaves perfectly while

wearing the head collar may suddenly jump and

strain out of control

when returned to the regular collar.

That fact, of course, points up the limitation of

any training device,

even one as effective as a head collar. The goal

of any quality dog

training program should be to create a willing,

obedient dog that can

be controlled by nothing more than the handler’s

voice.

Even if you plan to never allow your dog to go

outside without a collar

and lead, a well trained dog should be capable

of walking with you

without a leash, even if there are a great many

distractions around.

The head collar can help guide you to this goal, but it

is till up to you

to gain the respect and trust of the dog that will

allow it to become a

truly well trained member of the family.

If you are unsure how to use a head collar, or if

you are unsure if a

head collar is right for you, you might want to

consult with a dog

trainer, your veterinarian or the staff at your

local pet store. These

experts have probably seen many head collars used,

and they may be

able to provide valuable insight on the type of

training device that will

work the best for you.

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