How to Use a Halter Collar for Dogs

Halter collars help you train your dog to walk quietly on her leash without pulling. Both large and small dogs pull on their leashes, and although a Chihuahua won't drag you into the middle of traffic, the behavior can still be irritating.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Body halter collar
• Six to ten foot leash

Head Halters

1. Choose the correct size head halter for your dog. They typically come in extra small, small, medium, large and either giant or extra large.

2. Place the nose loop of the head halter collar over the dog's nose. It should rest at the bridge of the nose, and be loose enough to not restrict his breathing, yet not slip past the end of his nose.

3. Secure the halter collar behind the dog's head using the flat buckle. This should fit loose enough to not cut off her breathing, yet snug enough to not slip over her ears. To check for a correct fit, ensure that you can comfortably insert two fingers under the collar at the back of her neck.

4. Hook your leash to the loop located under the dog's jaw.

5. Go for a walk with your dog, watching him for pulling behavior. To stop pulling behavior firmly say, "Don't pull," stop walking forward, turn around and slowly walk the opposite direction. Praise him when he's walking at your side once again.

6. Repeat the process of saying, "Don't pull," turning and walking the opposite direction every time that your dog starts pulling. She'll quickly learn that pulling only ends up with her going a direction she doesn't want to go.

Body Halters

7. Acquire a body halter collar in an appropriate size for your dog. Your local retail pet store, such as Petsmart, or Valley Vet Supply, should be able to help you fit the harness to your pet.

8. Slip the collar loop over the dog's head. Make sure it fits loosely enough to not inhibit his breathing.

9. Buckle the body straps under the dog's chest. They should be snug enough to not rub or chafe.

10. Hook your leash to the loop on the front of the dog's collar.

11. Walk your dog down the street. Whenever he starts pulling, brace yourself, state firmly, "Don't pull" and quickly add slack to the leash before taking it back up. Don't pull or jerk. This quick "check" of his forward motion should get his attention.
    

12. Turn around. Slowly start walking another direction, pulling your dog with you until she's walking at your side. Praise her when she's walking where you want her.

13. Repeat the process every time your dog begins pulling. Eventually he'll realize that he only gets praised when he's at your side, and never gets to go where he wants when he pulls.

Tips & Warnings

• There are two types of body harnesses: ones with only a loop around the neck and chest, and others that have loops around both front legs. Both types of harnesses work to keep your dog from pulling, but in different ways. You may need to research which type of harness works best with your dog.
• You can damage your dog's neck if you jerk or yank on the leash while she's wearing a head halter collar.
• Use a head halter collar only while you're working on obedience training with your dog. At other times, a no-slip flat collar is a good choice.

Resources

• PetSmart, Inc.
• Valley Vet Supply