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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Head collar recommendations

20 replies

MuthaFunka61 · 15/04/2021 19:03

Hi.

I've been working with a positive reinforcement behaviourist for 2 years and my rescued 3 almost 4 year old male working breed Lab has come on leaps and bounds.

However earlier this week he decided he wanted to greet another dog,pulled the lead out of my hand and was across a road before I'd drawn breath. It scared the living daylights out of me and I'm so concerned about a potential accident I considered rehoming.

I've had a conversation with the behaviourist and we're going to work together to introduce a head collar. This will be used for emergencies only as his heel walking is good and I've spent a great deal of time perfecting this with my dog.

I'm looking for padded, non slip head collar suggestions and would also like your view on why you're recommending that particular one.

My dog wears a harness and I use a double ended lead,one end attached loosely to his collar and the other to the front of his harness.

Ive included the obligatory pic

OP posts:

Witchgonebad · 15/04/2021 19:07

Dogmatic.
You need to measure carefully to get the right size.
They don’t ride up and once used to it my dog was quite happy.
I always clip to collar as well and only use when I need to.

Wolfiefan · 15/04/2021 19:10

I use a dogmatic too. It’s great. Comfortable for the dogs. Easy to put on and I can walk two wolfhounds easily on them.

Original poster

MuthaFunka61 · 15/04/2021 20:10

Thanks!

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Floralnomad · 15/04/2021 20:15

This could be avoided by putting your wrist through the loop of the lead and then holding the lead under the loop IYSWIM , I always walk my dog like this , even though he walks beautifully on his lead . I’m not a fan of head collars as if a dog pulls randomly you could possibly damage their necks .

sunflowersandbuttercups · 15/04/2021 20:21

I don't like head collars at all, though I know they have their uses - I don't think they'd help in the scenario you describe, though. It was the way you held the lead that caused the problem, iyswim, not the actual collar.

Like PP I would loop the lead handle around your wrist and hold the lead in your hand. I always walk dogs like this just in case - it's an extra back up with no extra work on my part and the dogs don't know any different.

FudgeFlake · 15/04/2021 20:36

Thing One, the suggestions up thread about having the lead looped around one wrist and additionally held in the other are good, this is the way I always hold a super-reactive rescue collie who we occasionally need to look after when both his normally WFH humans absolutely have to be away for more than four hours. This one is also harness wearing with a double ended lead attached to both harness and collar. We don't use a head collar as he is already using a muzzle. Like I said, he's super-reactive poor lad.

Thing Two, of all the head collars I've used either from my own choice or because owners have provided them, the Pets At Home own brand was excellent and the Cani-Collar was utterly rubbish. Gentle Leader is good. Halti is not very easily adjusted for size. When I do need a head-collar arrangement, I now use a figure of eight leash, mine is soft cotton weave flat tape material and completely adjustable with a slider to hold it snugly in position.

FudgeFlake · 15/04/2021 20:37

Oh, and your dog is UTTERLY BEAUTIFUL!!

Original poster

MuthaFunka61 · 15/04/2021 21:18

Thanks @FudgeFlake,I agree!

I appreciate PP taking time to suggest an alternative way to hold the lead,but for various reasons this isn't a suitable solution.
I recognise that using a head collar isn't ideal either and it's not a preference but a case of needs must. When he first came to me he was using a halti and we both hated it so I've worked really hard with him so he can now walk to heel without.

I'm approaching the use of a head collar as a short term solution until he gets through this teen to adult transition and I trust the behaviourist to get us through this and teach me how to use it safely.

I appreciate your concerns though and I'm aware of damage which can be done to my dogs health which is why I'm only doing this with guidance,and as I say only to be used in emergencies.

OP posts:

sunflowersandbuttercups · 15/04/2021 22:23

I'm very confused - what difference will a head collar make in a scenario where you let go of the lead?

He'll still be able to bolt over the road.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 15/04/2021 22:26

Unless you're thinking it will give you more control?

I walk a reactive husky on a head collar and when she reacts, the head collar doesn't stop her and she could easily pull a lead out of someone's hand - and in fact, she has done.

She wears the head collar to stop her pulling (owners choice, not mine) and while she walks beautifully on a lead, when she reacts to another dog she will leap about and could easily pull someone over or have the lead off them if it wasn't held securely.

I worry that it will give you a bit of a false sense of security.

Floralnomad · 15/04/2021 22:27

I totally agree with @sunflowersandbuttercups a head collar with another lead attached isn’t going to help you keep hold of the lead .

landofgiants · 15/04/2021 22:28

He's stunning.

I've got a Halti for my smallish dog and I think it is brilliant. I thought it would ride up or pull to the side but it just stays put, though I may have got lucky with the sizing. The noseband is padded and it clips on to the collar. I've had no issue with it slipping off. I also like that it is black (like my dog) and fairly 'discreet'.

I think that using a double ended lead along with the head collar is ideal and I think that used correctly they are perfectly safe. I use mine because my boy is 'reactive' especially with larger male dogs and it has made a big difference to his behaviour. It wouldn't necessarily help with the situation you describe but does give you more control. My dog is only 11/12kg and he has managed to pull the lead out of my hand in the past. These things happen sometimes, try not to feel bad.

Doggitydog · 15/04/2021 22:32

Canny (sp?) collar, it’s amazing.

tabulahrasa · 15/04/2021 22:33

You’d probably be better off with a lead that attaches to a belt in that sort of scenario tbh.

tabulahrasa · 15/04/2021 22:34

Though if you want a head collar - the kumfi dog alter was the only one I’ve ever found that didn’t have bits that tighten, it’s literally fitted on like a horses halter.

Original poster

MuthaFunka61 · 15/04/2021 23:22

To those that've asked why do I think it'll help,as I've said this is on the suggestion of the behaviourist I work with. She obviously has a plan that I'm not fully aware of yet as we haven't met for our training session.

Thanks @landofgiants he's a very handsome dog,I agree. After a chat with the behaviourist I'm feeling positive about us working through this,she's a flippin' genius and one of my dogs favourite people,so I'm confident we'll be fine.

I'll take a look at the make you've suggested @Doggitydog,thanks for your suggestion.

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 16/04/2021 01:15

I can only imagine that the behaviourist has got the wrong impression and thinks that the dog got away as you physically couldn’t control him as there is no way a head collar will make one jot of difference to you being surprised and having the lead yanked from your hand .

Postdatedpandemic · 16/04/2021 06:59

The problem with head collars and slip leads is that all dogs have different shaped heads, so what works for one dog will be uncomfortable or rub on another, even if the dogs are the same breed.
You may have to try a few.

PollyRoulson · 16/04/2021 11:06

I prefer not to use headcollars but there are situations when they are needed for safety of the dog and the owner.

The dog needs to wear a harness and the lead is attached to the back of the harness and the head collar.

THe client needs to be taught how to hold the lead. The reason it will work in this situation is that the pressue from the head collar will not be as much from the dog pulling from the front or back of the harness. The owner will be able to take action rather than dropping the lead.

As the owners confidence builds they will be less reliant on the head collar and will using the harness for 100% of the walk.

Personally I would not use a canny colar, gently leader or halti on any dog.

The dogmatic may be useful but I always cut the bottom sectionn so that is does not tighten on the dogs mouth.

I also like the bridle collars as they do not restrict the dog in anyway.

Also there is some research that some dogs are more relaxed with slight pressure on their nose. You know how some dogs love to have their muzzle stroked, so for some dogs just the act of wearing a well fitted head collar can help whilst training is taking place.

I probably recommend a head collar for about 1% of my clients but it does have a place for a short period of time and help to make walks safe and enjoyable again for both parties.

Original poster

MuthaFunka61 · 17/04/2021 01:11

Thanks so much for your detailed response @PollyRoulson,it's helped immensely.

It sounds like the behaviourist I work with is probably thinking along the same lines as you are. I'll take your suggestion about adapting a dogmatic head collar too as making my dog uncomfortable is the last thing I or the behaviourist will want.

Thanks again

OP posts:

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