What Is A Dog Headcollar?

Estimated read time: 10 minutes

A dog headcollar fits around a dog's neck and muzzle to give you greater control when walking. When used correctly, it can help teach a dog to stop pulling by applying gentle pressure when the lead becomes tight and releasing it as soon as your dog walks on a loose lead.

Pulling on the lead is one of the most common problems dog owners experience. A headcollar can make walks easier and, when used correctly, help you teach your dog to walk calmly on a loose lead.

In this guide, we'll explain how dog headcollars work, their benefits and limitations, how to use one safely and how to decide whether a headcollar is right for your dog.

Happy dogs and happy owners. Let's get started.

What is a dog headcollar?

A dog headcollar is a training aid worn around the dog's head and muzzle, usually with a strap around the neck. Unlike a conventional collar, it gives you control from the dog's head rather than solely from the neck.

You may also see headcollars described as head halters, anti-pull headcollars or dog nose leads. Halti is actually a brand of headcollar rather than the generic name for the product.

Different headcollars work in different ways. Some attach the lead beneath the dog's chin, while others, including the Canny Collar, attach behind the head.

"The best headcollar for your dog is comfortable, kind, safe & effective"

How does a dog headcollar work?

• Most headcollars work on the principle that if you can control your dog’s head, then the body will follow. A bridle on a horse works in the same way.
• Pressure is applied to the nose and released when your dog stops pulling. Praising your dog for walking well positively reinforces the good behaviour we desire, which is to walk beside us with the lead loose.
• This ‘pressure and release’ action harnesses your dog’s own energy to learn good walking habits.
• A headcollar alone is not a quick fix or substitute for training your dog. It is a training aid and, as such, is a tool to help you train your dog to walk without pulling.

Do dog headcollars work?

For many dogs, yes. A correctly fitted headcollar can give the handler greater control while helping the dog learn better walking habits. It can be particularly useful for strong or persistent pullers where walking on a conventional collar and lead is difficult.

A headcollar isn't a quick fix, however. Its effectiveness depends on correct fitting, appropriate handling and consistent loose-lead training.

"A headcollar is an effective training aid which can speed up the time it takes to train your dog to walk to heel"

What are the benefits of a dog headcollar?

The most obvious benefit is that a headcollar can help to train your dog to walk on a loose lead without pulling. Like any tool, it makes a job easier:

• Helps give you greater control over a dog that pulls.
• Can assist with loose-lead walking training.
• Requires less physical strength than restraining a powerful dog on a conventional collar.
• Can help redirect a dog's attention during a walk.
• May help prevent some dogs picking up unwanted items from the ground.

Why does my dog pull on lead?

Dogs respond to a tight lead with an  ‘oppositional reflex’. This means that they pull back in the opposite direction to any pressure they feel on the lead.

This results in a perpetual tug-of-war with the stress, embarrassment and potential for injury to you both. As owners, we think that by pulling tightly on the lead, we are in control of our dog. But clearly we're not.

To stop the pulling, we have to teach our dog what we want them to do when they feel this lead pressure.

"You will never walk a dog well on a tight lead"

A loose lead is essential when walking your dog

If our lead never loosens, we are simply restraining our dog from moving forwards instead of training her not to pull. This is where a headcollar can help.

A good headcollar will loosen around your dog’s face when the pressure on the lead is released. This is how your dog learns to stop pulling.

When you apply gentle backwards pressure with your lead, your dog has to stop moving forward. By immediately releasing the pressure, your dog experiences the lead going slack.

Your momentum then allows you to catch her up and offer vocal praise. She learns the position you would like her to be in when on your walk.

"Training, not restraining, is the name of the game"

Are headcollars safe for dogs?

Dog headcollars can be safe when they are correctly fitted and used with appropriate lead-handling techniques. As with any training equipment, incorrect fitting or use can cause discomfort or increase the risk of injury.

Never jerk or sharply correct your dog with a headcollar, and avoid allowing your dog to run to the end of a long lead while wearing one. Sudden force applied to the head and neck should always be avoided.

The most important consideration when choosing a headcollar is that it should be comfortable for your dog. It should be safe for you both and effective in helping you learn together.

It’s important to follow the fitting instructions and check that the collar cannot come over your dog’s head before you begin your walk. The fit around your dog's neck should be more snug than her normal collar.

If you are concerned that your dog may slip out of the collar, a good idea is to use a double-ended training lead. Clip one end to the headcollar and another to your dog’s regular collar for backup.

Never use an excessively long lead with a headcollar. If your dog moves quickly and reaches the end of a long lead, there is potential for injury to the neck or spine.

A lead of around 120cm is ideal. This allows for close control without the lead being too long.

Are headcollars cruel?

A properly fitted headcollar used with gentle handling should not cause pain. However, a headcollar can cause discomfort or potentially injury if it is poorly fitted, jerked or used to apply excessive force.

This is why fitting, gradual introduction and good lead technique matter.

Headcollars are used by many respected organisations, such as Irish Guide Dogs, ISPCA & Dogs Trust. Many dog trainers, dog training schools, veterinarians and rescue shelters recommend them as part of their training programmes.

Ultimately, they are only as good as the person on the other end of the lead and the time they put in to training their dog. When walking, only a gentle ‘pressure and release’ action should be required if your dog pulls.

"If a headcollar is pulled hard or yanked, there is a risk of injury to your dog"

Some headcollars attach beneath the chin, while others allow pressure to be applied from behind the head. Whichever design you choose, your dog should be able to open their mouth sufficiently to pant and breathe comfortably when the lead is loose.

How should a dog headcollar fit?

Each brand of headcollar has its own unique fitting instructions. It's important that you follow these closely for the comfort and safety of your dog.

General principles are:

• It should fit securely around the neck.
• Check that it cannot slip over the head.
• Ensure the noseband is correctly positioned.
• Check that your dog can open their mouth/pant.
• Make sure nothing is rubbing the eyes.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

"Not all headcollars have the same design, nor do they work in the same way"

On most brands, the lead attaches underneath the chin. Others use a behind-the-head fastening. Your dog feels a clear difference between ‘on’ and ‘off’ with this design, as there is no continuous downward pressure from the weight of the lead or lead clip.

An extra benefit of this design is that your dog cannot get their paw onto the lead and pull the headcollar over their head.

A headcollar should fit snugly so that it cannot come off and potentially put your dog in danger. If you are attaching your regular lead to the headcollar only, this is doubly important.

If in doubt, use a double-ended training lead. Attach one clip to the headcollar and the other to your dog’s regular collar.

Already have a Canny Collar? See our step-by-step Canny Collar fitting instructions.

How do you get a dog used to a headcollar?

Most dogs will happily accept wearing a headcollar right away, though others may dislike the feel of having it on their nose. For these dogs, it’s important to gradually condition them to wearing it.

If your dog is unsure about wearing a headcollar, introduce it gradually:

• Establish a positive association with the headcollar, such as using your dog’s favourite treats when you bring it out. Let her sniff the collar.
• Once your dog is happy to see it, the next step is fitting the collar part around the neck and putting the noseband over the nose. Hold a treat in one hand and put the noseband over this hand so that you can place it over your dog’s nose and pop a treat into her mouth at the same time. Wait for a few seconds, then slip it off and ignore your dog.
• Repeat this step a few times. If your dog paws the noseband off, simply stop the treats/attention/vocal praise and ignore her. Wait a short time and start again.
• Once your dog accepts wearing the headcollar, let her wear it around the house for short periods with the lead attached.
• Now you’re ready to go into the garden or outside the house in an area with few distractions. Do short bursts of training of up to five minutes. Be sure to reward your dog with vocal praise/treats when she is walking well on a loose lead.

If your dog remains distressed despite careful introduction, a headcollar may not be the right training tool for them.

Introducing a puppy to a headcollar

Starting your puppy walking on lead with a headcollar is a great way to get off on the right foot. A progressive approach will set your dog up with good training habits for life.

Susan Garrett, the respected Canadian dog trainer, recommends starting early and taking several weeks to condition your puppy to a headcollar before using it on a walk. We wouldn't expect a baby or toddler to adapt to a new experience immediately, and it is the same with our dogs.

Do you remember how strange it was the first time you wore a watch? Or a cycling helmet? For puppies, wearing a headcollar can be a similar experience, and it may feel a little strange at first. Start slowly and patiently.

We recommend that you wait until your puppy is happy to wear his regular collar and understands the idea of walking on lead. For most dogs, this will be at around 4-6 months old.

"A headcollar can instill good walking habits for life"

Introducing an adult dog to a headcollar

Some adult dogs accept a headcollar immediately, while others may need several days or weeks of gradual introduction. Don't rush the process. If your dog remains distressed despite careful conditioning, a headcollar may not be the right training tool for them.

What is the best headcollar for a dog that pulls?

When choosing a collar to stop your dog pulling on lead, every brand will claim to be ‘the best’. But there is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution.

The best headcollar for you and your dog will be the one which is the most comfortable. It should be simple to fit, easy to use, kind, safe & effective.

Your choice will depend on your dog’s size, breed and temperament plus how much training you wish to do. Do you want to use your headcollar permanently? Or would you like to eventually train your dog to walk on a regular collar and lead?

Some collars have several straps around your dog’s face while others may only have a single noseband. Choose the one you think will be most comfortable for the type of snout your dog has.

A padded noseband is a feature of some brands but is not always necessary if the fabric over the nose is soft, strong and comfy.

Some headcollars are designed primarily for continued use, while others make it easier to transition between the noseband and a conventional collar. These collars are best if you want to gradually wean your dog off using them.

Look for these features

• Secure fit
• Appropriate design for muzzle shape
• Ability to pant and drink
• Soft material where it contacts the face
• Appropriate lead attachment
• Straightforward fitting
• Safety backup where necessary
• Ability to release pressure when the dog stops pulling

Some breeds like pugs and French bulldogs have virtually no nose and a headcollar will simply not work for them. Others, like boxers, have a short, wide snout, which makes some brands of headcollar unsuitable.

"Choose the right headcollar for you and your dog"

How is the Canny Collar different?

The Canny Collar is a simple to fit, easy to use dog headcollar with a single, self-adjusting and removable noseband.

Unlike many headcollars that attach the lead beneath the chin, the Canny Collar attaches behind the dog's head. This means lead pressure is applied in a backwards direction.

This behind-the-head attachment helps prevent the noseband riding up towards the eyes and avoids pulling the dog's head sideways.

"The Canny Collar was voted 'Best New Product' by the UK Pet Product Retail Association shortly after it was launched and is now used by trainers, veterinarians and rescue shelters worldwide"

Apart from its unique design, the Canny Collar functions differently:

• A Canny Collar allows your dog more control over their own training. Your dog learns through self-regulation: when they pull, there is tension; when they don't, the tension is released. Without the owner pulling their head to one side, dogs are able to work it out for themselves. This is a good example of operant conditioning, allowing your dog to choose to walk on a loose lead themselves rather than being forced to do so by their owner.
• The Canny Collar uses a single piece of material over your dog’s face, which attaches to the lead at the back of the head. It expands to fit the wider snout of a boxer or contracts for the slimmer snout of a greyhound. This helps it accommodate different muzzle shapes without affecting the functionality and allows your dog to breathe, pant and drink.
• The Canny Collar can be quickly and easily switched into a regular dog collar. Simply flick the noseband on and off your dog's nose when needed. By doing this you can eventually train your dog to walk on a conventional flat collar.
• For off-lead exercise, the noseband can be removed from the muzzle and secured to the collar using the carabiners, allowing the Canny Collar to remain safely in place as a conventional collar.
• As the lead attaches behind your dog's head, it is much more difficult for your dog to get a paw over the lead and pull the noseband off.

The collar itself is generously padded for comfort, and the single noseband is soft and comfy. This allows your dog to breathe freely, open her mouth, and enjoy her walk.

You can learn more about the Canny Collar here.

"Only the lightest of touches is needed when your dog pulls"

Is a headcollar a substitute for dog training?

Whilst headcollars can help with training your dog, they are not a substitute. Training helps your dog develop reliable walking behaviour and makes walks safer and more enjoyable for everyone. If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs or people, you should seek help from a qualified dog trainer or behaviourist.

Dog trainer Susan Garrett is very clear that a headcollar is not a ‘set it and forget it’ device. You cannot just fit it and then absent-mindedly walk your dog down the road. Look for potential hazards up ahead so that you are prepared for what may distract your dog.

Susan has used a headcollar on every dog she has ever trained since the 1990s. She does this because it commits her to a training session every time she walks her dog on one.

"A headcollar is not a device that can help with more serious behavioural issues encountered when walking your dog"

Does a dog need to wear a headcollar forever?

By training your dog to walk effectively on a good headcollar you should be able to transition to walking on a regular collar and lead without pulling. The Canny Collar is designed for this purpose.

If your dog is comfortable wearing the headcollar and you prefer to continue using it, there is no need to stop once your dog has learned to walk without pulling. The aim is to make walks easier and more enjoyable for both of you.

Is a headcollar right for your dog?

A headcollar can be a useful training aid for dogs that pull, particularly when a conventional collar and lead aren't giving you enough control. The right headcollar should be comfortable, secure, correctly fitted and used with gentle lead handling.

It won't suit every dog and isn't a substitute for training. But for many dogs and owners, a headcollar can make loose-lead training easier while better walking habits develop.

Learn how to fit a Canny Collar.

Shop Canny headcollars.