Halti Headcollar Review by a User

The Halti Headcollar is a great tool for enjoying long walks with your dog. Unfortunately, many dogs are not properly taught how to walk on a leash when they are young. This can result in unwanted pulling on your shoulders and wrists, and can lead to joint strains and even dangerous falls.

Product Description

Dr. Roger Mugford, a pioneer in the field of veterinary behavioral therapy, invented the Halti Headcollar more than 20 years ago. It is guaranteed to stop your dog’s pulling!

It is made of soft, padded nylon. It is available in 4 colors, and is has recently become available in leather. There is a version with a Velcro closure available for those with reduced dexterity. The Halti Headcollar comes in 6 sizes, so a proper fit is more likely to be attained.

The breed breakdown for each size is as follows:
• 0: yorkie, papillon, miniature dachshund, toy poodle, and similar breeds
• 1: Shetland sheepdog, Jack Russell terrier, cairn terrier, standard dachshund and similar breeds
• Size 2: welsh terrier, beagle, border collie, standard poodle, cocker spaniel, schnauzer and similar breeds
• Size 3: weimaraner, Dalmatian, Doberman, greyhound, German shepherd, husky, pointers, retrievers, setters and similar breeds
• Size 4: mastiff, newfoundland, giant schnauzer, great Dane, Rottweiler and similar breeds
• Size 5: St. Bernard, bloodhound, large Danes, mastiffs, and similar breeds

A more extensive list of breeds and sizes is available on their website: http://www.companyofanimals.us/.

The Headcollar has a safety clip that attaches to your dog’s regular collar. In the case your pet is able to paw it off, his leash will still be attached to his neck collar, which will prevent him from running loose.

It comes with a DVD training guide and a printed instruction manual.

My Halti Headcollar Experience
As a veterinary technician and pet sitter, I have used this collar personally on my own dog, on veterinary patients, and on clients’ pets. My German shepherd, Hunter, was introduced to the Halti at a young age, and never knew any other way to walk. She quickly learned to accept the collar on her face, albeit with a bit of coaxing and a hefty dose of treats. At first, she did paw at her face to try and get it off, but this quickly faded with the bribes of tasty morsels. Once she accepted the collar on her face, it was time to hook the Headcollar to her regular collar. Some more bribery and things were going well. It was time to attach the lead. This part was a bit more uncomfortable for her at first, but again, the treats really helped. I would say the whole process took about an hour. I know that not every dog accepts this type of halter collar as quickly, but it is still much shorter than other conventional ‘loose leash’ training methods.
I keep an assortment of Halti Headcollars in my pet sitting kit, so that I can try them on uncooperative dog-walking “clients” – with their owners’ permission of course. I have successfully trained several dogs this way, and their owners have thanked me tremendously. The longest it took me to train a dog was about 4 hours, over 6 sessions.

General impressions

Halters are preferred to choke chains and prong collars, as those methods are uncomfortable, and can cause injury. The Halti is preferred over harnesses in strong exuberant dogs, as some of them will still pull violently while wearing a harness. I have used other brands of halter collars, but this one is my favorite. Some of them are harder to get on the face than the Halti. Some have loops that need to be pulled through a small metal grommet. This could be difficult for people with decreased dexterity in their hands. The Halti has an available Velcro closure, which makes it a perfect product for older dog owners, and those with arthritis.

This is collar is not an instant fix, as most dogs will need some conditioning to accept the sensation of pulling on the back of his head and over the nose. This collar may not be for dogs who will thrash around when it is put on, as this can cause neck or back injuries. Long leads and retractable type leads should not be used with the Headcollar, because the dog could gain speed and violently jerk the neck backwards when the lead goes taut.
The collar may become moist with saliva, so it does need to be washed somewhat frequently, depending on how much your pet drools or pants.
Overall, I believe the product delivers what it promises; a dog that doesn’t pull on the leash. As with any product, it may not work for every dog, but in the vast majority of pets, it will make a huge difference in the way the dog behaves on a lead.

Pros
• Quickly teach your pet to walk on a leash without pulling
• Padded nylon material is more comfortable than other brands of halter-type collars
• Much less chance for injuries to the throat or neck than prong collars or choke collars
• Can be used for correction and obedience training
• More effective than harnesses
• Can be used as a muzzle with a tug on the lead
• Has a version with a Velcro closure for those with limited dexterity

Cons
• Have to train the dog to become accustomed to it
• It can be difficult to put on at first and is hard to put on particularly squirmy dogs
• Gets wet with drool
• Can’t use with a long lead (which may or not be an issue for you)
• Some people think it is a muzzle
• Not effective for some pugs, boxers, and other breeds with flattened noses
• Can cause neck or back injuries to dogs that thrash while wearing it
Conclusion

The Halti Headcollar by The Company of Animals is a fast and humane way to teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash. Without using uncomfortable choke chains or prong collars, your pet can quickly learn to take a long walk without dragging you down the street. For less than a $20 investment, you can enjoy a relaxing and injury-free romp around your neighborhood, while impressing your friends and neighbors with your newly acquired dog training skills.

• About
• Latest Posts

Follow us

Vince

Owner at NewDogOwners.com

Living in Indiana, I love many of things. God, my family and almost anything outdoors.

I started newdogowners.com for one simple reason, to help prepare new dog owners for owning a new puppy. My goal is to help stop the passing around of dogs. The forever home, should be a dog's first home.

Follow us

Latest posts by Vince (see all)

• How to Get a Service Dog for Anxiety and Depression: The Ultimate GuideIntroduction - February 6, 2024
• Best Toys for Teething Dogs: 10 Options to Soothe Their Gums - January 29, 2024
• How to Prevent a Mess: Dog Proof Trash Can and DIY Hacks - January 29, 2024