Dog training collars, tips and tricks

Thanks to a comment by a reader who clearly may have missed my repeated disclaimer that I don’t recommend collars, just review them and try to inform, I’m going to repeat that you must decide for yourself if any collar covered by the Dog Training Collars Guide is right for you. In ALL cases, you must use these tools correctly. Collars don’t train your dog but to open up opportunities for YOU to train them. Most (all) carry the potential to do physical or mental harm if not used properly and attentively. For the post addressing the commenter who wants nothing to do with Gentle Leaders, please visit our response titled A Criticism for Every Collar.

In a big departure from our previous posts on Shock Collars, Prong Collars and Choke Collars, we’re now going to discuss the “gentle” alternatives; head harnesses. Where the earlier offerings work by negative reinforcement best described as painful or uncomfortable, head harnesses such as Premier’s Gentle Leader function mostly by annoyance and by taking advantage of canine psychology.

A dog wants to look where it’s going and go where it’s looking. Head harnesses take advantage of that by steering a dog from its intended target. For example, if a dog tries to move ahead of its owner, the Gentle Leader will turn the dog’s head to the left or right (depending on which side the leash hangs).

The effect is almost comical (my own dog’s expression of annoyance was priceless) but extremely effective. Simply put, a dog would rather walk gently than have her head turned every time she tries to pull.

Though different models of head harnesses vary slightly in their function (some pull a dog’s head down, others to the side) the premise is the same which is to “turn” the dog’s head in some way. Again, effective, but is there a down side? Well, there are a few things worth mentioning.

The first thing you’ll likely experience with a dog training collar like the Gentle Leader is that your dog won’t like it. Mine each bucked like colts and pawed at their faces to remove the things but I didn’t cave and gave them repeated, sharp NO’s until they behaved. It was hard to keep a straight face, though, because they looked terribly cute trying to get the things off.

The second thing to note is that fit is extremely important for training harnesses like the Gentle Leader. My purchase came with a DVD which I watched from beginning to end and I suggest you do the same. Pay particular attention to the segments on fit and on use. This is critical.

Third, despite offering a gentler approach, head harnesses do carry risk of neck injury should a dog charge full speed to the end of the leash and get his head yanked around. With that in mind, it is important that you use these training harnesses only for training and don’t become dependent on them as everyday collars. Certainly never leave one on your dog unattended. Also remain extremely attentive at all times.

Fourth, make sure you constantly check to ensure the collar isn’t touching your dog’s eyes. Some breeds have heads that don’t accommodate a Gentle Leader well and, particularly if poorly fit, can result in part of the halter rubbing the dog’s eyes. If you notice that happening, IMMEDIATELY discontinue use.

So with the negatives out of the way, here are the positives. These things work and they work in a way that’s more readily embraced by pet lovers. As with any collar, though, the training collar you opt for is a tool, not a crutch and should be used in concert with positive reinforcement efforts and an eye on their eventual removal from everyday walks.

For my part, the Gentle Leader was a fantastic dog training addition and I’m definitely a fan. Simply put, of all the collars I’ve tried, the Gentle Leader provided the quickest results in the most pet-friendly manner at a reasonable price. Friends of mine make equally favorable statements about the Halti. There’s an inclination for either collar to fall into disuse, however, as it’s something that has to be put on and taken off before and after each walk. A buckle collar, on the other hand, can remain on. Still, for particularly stubborn dogs who are constantly trying to reassert their walking dominance, the Gentle Leader and other models of head harness are certainly handy when used in conjunction with other techniques.