CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
How To Use A Head Halter
Copyright
Denver Dumb Friends League and Humane Society of the
A
head halter is a special kind of collar with a strap that goes around your
dog’s nose and another strap that goes around his neck, just behind his ears.
The leash fastens to the halter under his chin to a ring that’s also attached
to the nose strap. When your dog begins to pull, the design of the head halter
causes the dog’s nose to be turned back toward you which makes it physically
difficult for him to continue pulling. The head halter is completely humane, as
it doesn’t cause any pain, and works much better to prevent a dog from pulling
than a choke chain or prong collar. Brand names for head halters include
“Gentle Leader,” “Promise Collar” and “Halti.”
How
should it fit?
The
head halter must be properly fitted to be effective and comfortable for your
dog. The neck strap should be as high up on your dog’s neck as you can get it,
just behind his ears. The strap should be just tight enough for you to fit one
finger between it and your dog’s neck. The nosepiece should be adjusted so that
when your dog’s mouth is closed, it can slide down as far as the beginning of
the skin on his nose, but not so loose that it can slide off the end of his
nose. The nosepiece will sit naturally, just below your dog’s eyes. Make sure
that the metal ring to which the leash attaches is underneath his chin.
How
will your dog react?
Most
dogs will resist a head halter, at first. The amount of resistance varies for
each dog. When you first put the head halter on, your dog may try to get it off
by pawing at his nose or rubbing his nose on the ground, on you or on anything
your dog can get close to. The best strategy is to keep his head up and keep
him moving by using positive verbal reinforcement and treats. Most dogs
eventually accept head halters. When your dog associates the halter with going
for a walk, he’ll begin to react positively to it, and soon, both you and your
dog will enjoy taking walks together!
Things
to remember:
·
Make sure the head halter is fitted
properly.
·
It should be snug around your dog’s neck
and high behind his ears, but loose enough around his nose so that the nose
strap can slide easily down to the fleshy part of his nose.
·
A head halter is not a muzzle.
·
A dog wearing a head halter can still
eat, drink, pant, bark and bite, if he chooses.
·
Never use a hard jerk with the head
halter.
·
Don’t use the head halter with a
retractable lead.
·
If your dog runs quickly to the end of
the lead, it may give itself a hard jerk.
·
Your dog should wear his head halter
only during on-leash walks with you and/or when you’re directly supervising
him.
·
If your dog wears the head halter around
the house, he’ll have plenty of time to work at getting it off, and will
eventually succeed.
·
Read the information sheet that comes
with your head halter.