Using a dog halter to stop pulling can help owners prevent their elbows from getting out of their sockets. Many dogs are strong pullers and the pulling can often be dramatically reduced by a combination of training and the right tools to make walks less out of control. Two favorite tools to reduce dog pulling are no-pull harnesses which clip to a ring in the front of the dog’s chest and halters which work in an almost similar fashion as the head halters seen in horses. Using a dog halter to stop pulling can therefore work well for owners in desperate need of help; however, it’s important to know what to expect.
The Adjustment Period
Dogs are not used to wearing stuff around their faces. Try to put a cute hair bow on dogs with facial hair and the first they’ll do is paw at it to remove it. When dogs wear the head halter, they will act the same way. They will try to do all they can in their power to remove it. They will paw at their faces, rub their faces on the floor and even against furniture or people in an attempt to remove it.
To prevent this type of behavior, it helps to get the dog conditioned to wearing it by associating it with good things. Some dogs need more time to get accustomed to it, so it’s important to be patient.
You would therefore have to take a systematic, graded approach to introducing it and at the same time you would also create positive associations with it by feeding tasty treats when it’s on and no treats when it’s off.
For sake of an example, you would initially let the dog briefly insert his muzzle through the nose loop and feed treats through it. Muzzle out of the nose loop, no more treats. Then, you would start snapping the head part, feed treats, then no more treats when the head part is removed. Then you would let your dog wear it for some time while you play with him and train him and reward with tasty treats. Once you take it off, no more play no more treats. Repeat several times for several days gradually increasing the time your dog wears it.
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Afterward, you can put it on and immediately go for a walk. If your dog likes to go on walks, he may forget all about the fact he is wearing a halter. You can also distract him by talking to your dog and praising and rewarding him with treats when your dog makes eye contact with you or sticks by your side or any other desirable behaviors.
There are various types of halters on the market. A popular brand is the Gentle Leader, but some dogs are bothered by the material of the straps. A version that is softer is the Comfort Trainer, but some dogs may not like much the weight on the leash and its associated hardware. More and more brands are being offered and some offer some soft padding to make them more comfortable.
Watch What You Reward
While on your walk, your dog might be too distracted to take notice he is wearing a halter, but then he might realize it as he gets closer to home and things become more dull. Many dogs do this. They’ll start pawing at it, balking etc. It’s very important that you watch what you reward when your dog engages in this behavior.
In other words, if you remove the halter when your dog is trying to get it off, guess what? You will have just rewarded this behavior! Soon, if you keep doing that, your dog will learn a pattern: “Everytime I try to get this thing off my nose, my owner helps me out. I must keep on doing this until my owner gets the message to help me out. ” Well, your dog might not think is such a logical manner, but you get the point. Behaviors that are reinforced, become stronger and repeat.
So when it’s time to get the halter off, make sure it’s not when your dog is actively trying to get it off. If your dog is really focused on trying to remove it, try to distract your dog from this behavior. You can call your dog to you, ask for your dog to sit and then take it off.
If you are having problems, ask a dog trainer to help you out. If your dog is having a hard time, it’s sign you need to work more on getting used to wearing it. It’s important that the halter is fitted properly in order for it to work properly. A well-fit halter should look like the letter “V” when seen by the side.
Tip: for safety, you can clip your leash to both the ring of the halter and your dog’s regular collar. This way, should the halter break apart, your leash is still attached to the collar. Also, if at any time during the walk you wish to remove the halter, you can just unclip it from the halter, remove it and walk your dog using the collar.
Using a Dog Halter to Stop Pulling
[adinserter block=”2″]Because the halter allows you to control your dog’s head, its use can be very effective in stopping dogs from pulling. This tool works great for the elderly or disabled handlers. What the halter does is that it gives you better ability to redirect your dog when he pulls. Because it gives you more control, you will feed more confident and this allow you a better opportunity to relax when walking your dog.
However, if you fail to add some training when you use a halter, you may be disappointed that day you walk your dog on a regular buckle collar. This is because the head halter is too strong of an element in preventing pulling behaviors.
Dogs who are walked on a halter with no training, may reduce their pulling because the halter physically stops the dog from pulling; however, there is no active learning taking place. The dog fails isn’t give a choice to stop pulling, therefore, the moment the halter is removed, the dog will start pulling again.
Without training, a halter therefore is not very helpful in teaching a dog not to pull, which may lead to a dog who pulls and then stops pulling, pulls and stops pulling repeatedly in a yo-yo or zigzag fashion. Each time the dog reaches the end of the leash, the neck arches sideways. Not a nice sight. The following article offers a training guide on how to stop dogs pulling in this fashion: how to stop a dog from pulling in a zigzag pattern.
Things to Keep in Consideration
A halter therefore must be accompanied by training, otherwise it’s just a crutch. It may work as part of a management plan while you are training or for walks that may be particularly challenging, but it’s important to recognize that is should incorporate training.
As seen, in order to help your dog accept the halter, you will have to spend some time in creating positive associations with it to help your dog tolerate it better. This time should be factored in, considering that this time could have otherwise be productively spent in training the dog to walk on a loose leash with a regular collar or even better, a no-pull harness in the first place.
However, using a dog halter to stop pulling can turn helpful for the disabled, the elderly or those with very powerful dogs. If your dog pulls so much that he drags you down the street, a halter can help you. With a halter you may be able to finally walk without risking a dislocation or a fall. It gives you a starting point on training.
Yet, if you fail to incorporate training, even though you may have used a dog halter to stop pulling for years, that minute you clip the leash to a different type of collar, you risk being back to square one. Also, consider that not all dogs are good candidates for halters. Some dogs get very upset wearing it and their demeanor changes dramatically. It can take away the lovely enthusiasm and joie de vivre many dogs are blessed with.
Warning: as with any training tool, when using a dog halter to stop pulling, it’s important to use this tool responsibly. Misuse of halters may lead to neck injuries. Some dogs may get abrasions from the halter rubbing against the skin and eye injuries if not fit properly.
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