I won't rant and rave about the benefits and drawbacks of using a headcollar each dog is different and responds differently to various training tools, and I'm assuming that you've found this product based off your own research and recommendations from trainers and friends.The hard part is deciding which headcollar type to use. In the past decade, I've used several different headcollars, including the Halti, the Gentle Leader, the Petmate AKC Headcollar, and the Holt. In my opinion, the Holt is the sturdiest, most comfortable, and most flexible headcollar of the whole bunch, and is a worthy successor to my previous favorite, the Halti.
The Company Of Animals Halti Head Halter Black Size Halti Head Halter Black Sz 0 Training & Behavioral Aids
The Halti was, previously, the best halter for a very simple reason: it had side-straps on either side of the dog's face that prevented the noseband from riding up a dog's face and digging into the dog's eyes. It also worked without cinching the dog's mouth shut, like the Gentle Leader. However, the noseband was not padded, and while I made my own homemade padding for the noseband, it was at least very wide to prevent the material from biting into the dog's skin (unlike the Gentle Leader). The Halti generally came only in black, though colors could be found online. The Halti, despite being designed to function loose (and allowing a dog the full use of its mouth), often made your dog look "vicious" by wearing a "muzzle", particularly in the black color. Prior to the holt, this was the most comfortable.
HALTI PROS: comfort, looseness, prevents noseband from riding up, safety buckle connects to collar
HALTI CONS: limited colors, no padded noseband, can not be cinched tight for short-nose breeds
Gentle Leader Head Collar, Size: Small, Color: Royal Blue
The Gentle Leader, however, was the choice for short-nosed breeds. The Halti suffered when a shorter-snouted dog pawed at the noseband to remove it. The Gentle Leader's design cinched the dog's mouth closed with a locking mechanism, allowing it to be used snugly on short-nosed breeds. For standard-shaped noses, the cinching could be kept more loose to allow for more comfort. It did not have the side straps like the Halti, so it could ride up into the dog's eyes. The noseband was narrow and not padded (unless you shell out extra $ for the premium version not found in stores), so it bit into the dog's skin at the top of the nose. However, it came in multiple colors which helped it look less like a muzzle.
GENTLE LEADER PROS: color choices, cinches tight for short-nose breeds, safety buckle connects to collar
GENTLE LEADER CONS: uncomfortable narrow non-padded noseband (note: premium GL has nose padding, but still narrow), can ride up into eyes
Petmate 3/4-Inch by 16-24-Inch Medium AKC Padded Dog Halter, Brown
New to the game was the Petmate AKC-branded headcollar. This came in many colors and was pre-fitted with a fleece padded noseband. The noseband color is always brown, and there are additional options for colors of the straps. This headcollar looked the least like a muzzle. However, the locking mechanism was not sturdy and would often slide, allowing dogs (even long-nosed breeds) to paw the noseband off their face. It also did not come with a safety strap to connect the headcollar to a dog's normal buckle collar (though one could be homemade very easily). It also buckles underneath the neck, rather than on the side of the face. The Petmate headcollar can also ride up into the eyes of your dog.
PETMATE AKC PROS: color choices, fleece padded noseband
PETMATE AKC CONS: loose & slide-able lock, no safety strap to connect to collar, rides up into eyes.
Coastal Holt Dog Walking Collar, Blue, Size 0
Now, onto the Holt. The Holt is identical to the Halti except for two key features: a "camlock" and a foam-padded noseband. The camlock is a very tight locking mechanism that does NOT budge when the dog paws at the noseband. It is a great tool to keep the headcollar ON your dog. For short-nosed breeds, the camlock can be set tight and will stay in place. It has the same great features of the halti to prevent the noseband from riding up into the eyes, and the safety strap to connect the headcollar to a buckle collar. In addition, the noseband is padded with black foam material, not fleece, and is extremely soft and comfortable. It is sewn on the underside of the headcollar, and does not interrupt the color (can not be seen while the dog is wearing the headcollar). The Holt comes in a variety of colors, including red, pink, and blue.
HOLT PROS: extremely comfortable, foam padded noseband, noseband doesn't ride up into eyes, camlock keeps noseband in place even with short-nosed breeds, multiple colors
HOLT CONS: ???
If you are considering a headcollar to train your dog, I highly recommend the Holt for all breeds. It is a worthy successor to the Halti and, thus far, I have found no drawbacks.
Please note that I have included customer photos showing the Halti and the Holt side-by-side in the "customer photo" section here:
Coastal Holt Dog Walking Collar, Blue, Size 0
Buy Petmate AKC Padded Dog Halter Now
Our dog freaked out the first time we put it on her. She did not like the nose part at all and ran around the house in circles until she got it off of herself. The second time, I put it on her and ran her straight out the door, and didnt stop running until she stopped fighting the collar, which was about a minute, then, she could care less that it was on her. Normally on walks, she would act like a psycho dog and drag me down the street and would act nuts when people, cars, or other dogs went past. We have had several dogs in the past, but Tinkerbell is just hard headed and she would lose her mind the second she got out of the door. This collar improved her manners on walks 100%! The way it fits around the neck and muzzle makes it almost impossible for her to pull me, and when she would try and run towards other dogs and people, a gentle correction got her right back on track. Great product!!!Read Best Reviews of Petmate AKC Padded Dog Halter Here
The item works but it requires constant attention to prevent harm to my dog. It tends to ride up to her eyes and I feel this is dangerous. It does work for keeping my dog in check but it is a fitting nightmare.Want Petmate AKC Padded Dog Halter Discount?
despite the positive reviews, which is why I purchased this item, I had to return it. I properly hooked the collar around her neck, looped the nose portion up over her nose & tightened it, then attached the leash to the ring provided. Once we set off on the walk I notice she tries to wiggle out of it but I tell her 'no' & she settles down pretty quick. When we see another dog & she starts to pull I pull back & tell her 'no' & the head halter does indeed work & pull her head toward me, so I think good this will work, except I notice as more pulls happen during the walk that the nose portion, which already fairly close to her eyes pulls up as she struggles to pull her head away and comes up across her eye. Once I see it happens several times during a couple of walks, I relaize I can't keep it because I don't want her eyeball scraped, damaged or needing to be removed because of theis item. After the 1st time it happened I double checked the nose loop, re-adjusted it & tightened it a bit more, but she pulls her head & wiggles differently each time & the nose loop just doesn't stay still & lie flat thru all of that. Should give it a 1 for being dangerous, in my opinion, but I gave it a 2 for effort as it does work but there's not enough control/structure in the nose loop to keep it from wiggling around & pulling this way & that & I can't risk eye injury. I guess it's back to the pinchy collar thing until she's been trained enough (she's in classes) to stop pulling & ignore outside stimuli almost entirely. BTWthe pinchy collar still does not stop her from pulling as she's very focused.
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