How to Fit and Use a Canny Collar

Correct fitting is essential for the comfort, security and effectiveness of your Canny Collar. Follow these instructions to fit the collar around the neck, position the noseband correctly and use the pressure-and-release technique when walking.

How to fit a Canny Collar correctly

Dog having head collar fastened around neck with buckle at back of head

Step 1: Fasten the collar high behind the ears

Fasten the Canny Collar around your dog's neck, ensuring the buckle is positioned just behind his ears at the back. Fold any excess collar and tuck it under the lip of the buckle. The Canny Collar should fit higher up the neck than a conventional collar, as shown.

Dog owner pulling a head collar to test that it cannot come off over the dog's head

Step 2: Check the neck for a snug fit

A snug fit is essential to ensure the Canny Collar cannot come off your dog while walking. It should fit higher and more snugly around the neck than a conventional collar, without causing discomfort. Test the fit by facing your dog and trying to pull the collar forwards over his head. If fitted correctly, this should not be possible.

Dog owner attaching a dog lead to the D rings of a head collar

Step 3: Attach your lead to both D-rings

Pull each end of the thin noseband behind your dog's head and attach your lead to both 'D' rings at each end.

Dog owner placing the noseband of a head collar over their dog's nose

Step 4: Position the noseband

Pull the noseband through the small yellow plastic guider at the front of the Canny Collar and place over your dog's snout, taking care not to twist it. With some breeds, it may be easier to do this before attaching the lead.

Yellow guider of head collar correctly positioned under the chin

Step 5: Keep the yellow guider beneath the chin

Ensure you leave the plastic guider under your dog's chin. This is absolutely vital. If this plastic guider is not kept under the chin, the Canny Collar will not function correctly.

Man walking dog on a head collar showing the correct 'pressure & release' technique

Step 6: Use gentle pressure and immediate release

When your dog starts pulling on the lead, apply gentle backward pressure. As soon as he stops pulling, immediately release the pressure by loosening the lead and praise him. This pressure-and-release technique is the key to using your Canny Collar correctly and helps your dog learn that walking without pulling results in a loose lead.

Woman crossing either end of a head collar nose strap behind a dog's head for off lead use

Step 7: Remove the noseband for off-lead exercise

When letting your dog off lead, the Canny Collar can be left on him by removing the noseband from his snout and pulling it out fully. Cross the noseband behind his head and drop it either side of his head as shown.

Dog with head collar straps fastened securely together under chin for off lead use

Step 8: Secure the noseband with the carabiners

Bring the D rings together to meet underneath his chin and use one or two of the optional carabiner clips to secure the D rings together. Never fasten your lead to the carabiners.

Walking with a Canny Collar

Once your dog is comfortable wearing the Canny Collar, you're ready to begin walking with it. Keep your lead short but loose when walking and aim to have your dog beside you. Using a shorter lead will make this easier, around 120cm length is ideal. Give him plenty of vocal praise when he begins walking well.

Some dogs initially resist the sensation of a noseband and may try to paw it off. This doesn't necessarily mean the headcollar is unsuitable; your dog may simply need time to become accustomed to wearing it. Read our guide to getting your dog used to a headcollar.

It is similar to the feeling we have when wearing a wristwatch for the first time - some dogs are simply not used to it. If your dog reacts this way, try desensitising him first by introducing the collar slowly, then building up to going for a walk.

During the first few minutes, pay close attention to your dog. Check that he is keeping his head upright, the Canny Collar is loose around the mouth and the lead is short enough to prevent the noseband moving towards the front of his nose, while remaining loose when he isn't pulling.

These first few minutes are an opportunity to connect with your dog and focus on good walking habits. Giving him your attention at the beginning of the walk can help establish calm, loose-lead walking from the outset.

When walking your dog, your lead should be kept short but loose so you can control him quickly and easily. An extendable lead, or similar dog training equipment, is not recommended for use with the Canny Collar as the noseband may not remain in place on your dog's snout.

How to use pressure and release with a Canny Collar

When your dog pulls, apply gentle backward pressure. As soon as he stops pulling, immediately lower your hand and loosen the lead to release the pressure on the noseband. Give him plenty of vocal praise while continuing to walk.

The release is just as important as the pressure. Your dog needs to experience the lead becoming loose when he stops pulling so that he can learn the walking behaviour you want.

Because the lead is connected behind his head, he will not be able to get a paw over it and bring the walk to a stop. Nor will he get the Canny Collar off his head if the lead is kept in the correct position. Sometimes you may need to let the lead out if he drops behind you, bringing it back in again once he catches up.

Once any initial resistance to the Canny Collar has stopped, continue walking your dog for a short distance and then stop and give him plenty of praise.

Use treats or clicker training if your dog responds well to these to accustom him to the Canny Collar.

Common Canny Collar fitting and walking questions

Why does the Canny Collar noseband sometimes fall off?

Check the neck fit, position of the yellow guider and lead length. The lead should remain short enough to maintain control but loose when your dog isn't pulling.

Why does my dog paw at the Canny Collar?

Some dogs need gradual introduction to the sensation of a noseband.

Can I use an extendable lead with a Canny Collar?

No. An extendable lead is not recommended with a Canny Collar. Your dog may be too far away for effective loose-lead training, and if he runs to the end of a long lead, the sudden force applied to the head and neck could cause injury. A lead that is too long can also make it more difficult to keep the noseband correctly positioned.

Can I attach my lead to the carabiners?

Absolutely not, under any circumstances. The carabiners are strictly only used to secure the noseband when it is removed from the muzzle for off-lead exercise. Never attach a lead to them.