Halti Head Collars – Safety Tips for Use
Using standard collars on a pulling dog can harm both you and your dog. Misusing this collar can result in fear, pain and ultimately damage your relationship between you and your best friend. That’s the last thing you want.
Avoid injuring yourself and your dog or causing distrust between you by following these safety tips for using a Halti collar:
You need to ensure that your dog is completely safe and comfortable while wearing the Halti collar. The fabric itself shouldn’t be too scratchy or uncomfortable. However, if it fits too snugly, it could start to rub your dog’s fur or pinch their skin. If it’s too loose, it can move up and begin to rub against their eyes.
Check out this helpful video to learn how to fit your dog for a Halti collar. And when in doubt, you can always visit your local pet store for assistance.
You shouldn’t use your Halti collar every single day or for extended amounts of time, as it’s designed for walks only. If you overuse it or keep it on for too long, your dog may experience distress and discomfort. Limit it to only a few days a week for only about an hour or so.
It’s also essential to avoid leaving your dog alone while still strapped into a Halti collar, as you won’t be there to stop them from an unsafe situation.
Some dogs will never get accustomed to a Halti collar, and that’s okay. It’s not for everyone. Don’t force it. If you constantly see your pup lowering their head, dropping their ears, pawing at their face, or putting their tail between their legs when they have the Halti collar on, you need to remove it.
Try it again in a day or two, and if nothing changes, it’s probably time to try something else. You can always try out a regular leash or a body harness. What matters most is your dog’s mental and physical well-being.
What Exactly Is a Dog Halti?
A dog halti is simply a head collar that somewhat resembles a halter worn by horses. Also known as a gentle leader, head halter, or head collar, a dog halti basically goes over the dogs head with the bigger loop going around the dogs neck and the smaller loop going over the dogs muzzle. A correctly worn halti should allow enough space to allow one finger to slide under the cheek strap.
At times, people confuse the halti with a dog muzzle; however, the two are very different and were built for different purposes. That said, it is important to recognize that some models of dog haltis were purposely crafted to allow the mouth to be closed; a feature which may turn handy when dealing with dogs prone to aggression.
The main purpose of a dog halti is to provide better control. Horses are large animals that can be easily controlled by a halter wrapped around their heads, therefore, the halti was crafted with the same idea in mind. Basically, the head collar works by controlling the dogs head, which makes it an ideal training tool for dog owners concerned about being dragged down the street.
The head halter was first crafted by Dr. Roger Mugford about 25 years ago. Dr. Mugford is a UK-based leading trainer and animal behaviorist. Owning large dogs such as Irish Wolfhounds and having back problems as well, Dr. Mugford understood the need for better control. Today, dog haltis can be found in any major pet store. Because head halters require some time to get accustomed to, it is best to consult with a reputable dog trainer for advice.
As with most training tools, there are pros and cons to keep in mind before investing in their use. As a dog owner, it is ultimately up to you to choose the most appropriate training tool for your dog. If you are uncertain, ask a dog trainer for advice.
Will a Halti Stop my Dog from Pulling?
The main reason most people want to learn ‘what is a Halti’ is because they’re suffering with a dog that pulls on the leash.
Some dog owners report that their dog stops pulling when wearing the Halti head harness. However, these dogs won’t stop pulling when wearing a normal leash.
This is because the Halti doesn’t train your dog to heel. It just gives your dog an unpleasant consequence when he tries to pull.
And, some owners report that their dogs still pull when wearing a Halti.
Remember, these head collars work by pairing the pulling action with an uncomfortable, unpleasant consequence.
So, if it doesn’t even work effectively, you may be left feeling disheartened. You could be left with a dog that still pulls, but one that also starts to hate going on walks because of the unpleasant consequences.
A better method to stop pulling in dogs is to train heel using positive reinforcement methods.
Evidence from studies suggests that positive reinforcement methods are the most effective at training permanent skills.
A Halti is one of many aversive training tools. Evidence suggests that aversive methods like this can actually be detrimental to the physical and mental health of our dogs, as well as less effective.
So, the best long term solution to prevent pulling is to use positive reinforcement training to teach the heel command. Not only is this more likely to work in the long term, but it will also help you build a much stronger bond with your dog.
Haltis associate pulling with an unpleasant consequence. They may be slightly uncomfortable, and your dog may not enjoy walking with them too much.
But, they aren’t inherently as cruel as other punishment-based methods people may use to try and stop their dogs from pulling on the leash.
Leaving a Halti on your dog long-term can be cruel, as it is only designed for short periods. Leaving it on long term can cause fur loss and other injuries.
Ultimately, the least cruel way to stop your dog from pulling is to use positive reinforcement training to teach them to heel.
Positive reinforcement and prevention are the least cruel methods.
Many people report that their dogs don’t seem as happy when wearing a Halti. Their tails and ears may droop, they hold their heads lower, and don’t seem as excited on walks.
Some people don’t even get this far, as their dogs desperately paw at their faces and roll around to get the collar off their nose.
Aversive training methods have been shown to jeopardise the mental and physical health of dogs.
So, to avoid this, choose to train your dog using positive reinforcement methods. This will take time and won’t solve your pulling problem immediately.
But, until then, you can choose to manage the problem with a body harness and leash.