We've tried so many head collars for our dogs over the years for various reasons. My family's dog, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, pulls like a freight train, while our current dog, a St. Bernard, is sometimes reactive to dogs and strangers.
Owning a reactive dog can be an extraordinarily challenging experience, so finding the correct tools to manage their behaviour can make a world of difference. One such tool is a dog head collar, which provides far better control and can help reduce pulling, lunging, and other reactive behaviours.
If you're looking for an appropriate head collar, read on. We wanted to explore some of the most suitable head collars for reactive dogs, which can be easily purchased in the United Kingdom in 2024.
Introduction to Dog Head Collars
Although they can look intimidating, dog head collars are an indispensable tool for many reactive dog owners. Unlike traditional collars that go around your dog's neck, head collars fit around their muzzle and the back of their head behind their ears, giving the handler far more control over their movements. The design of head collars is particularly helpful for large dogs that are predisposed to lunging, pulling, or reacting aggressively towards other dogs or people.
Benefits of Using a Head Collar for Reactive Dogs
Using a head collar can provide numerous benefits, some of which include:
- Improved Control: Head collars allow you to gently steer your dog's head (when necessary), which can significantly reduce pulling and help manage reactivity.
- Enhanced Safety: One of the most beneficial aspects of a head collar is that by preventing sudden lunges and pulls, head collars can make walks safer for both your dog and yourself.
- Behavioural Improvement: Over time, there's a chance that consistent use of a head collar can help reduce reactive behaviours, as your dog builds an association with calmness when being in the presence of triggers.
How do I Choose the Right Head Collar?
This is largely dependent on your dog's breed, too. However, when selecting a head collar, you will need to consider the following product factors:
- How does it Fit? The collar should fit snugly but not too tight, ensuring the dog can still pant and drink water. Around the back of the dog's head, you should still be able to loop a finger or two, but you need to ensure that the collar is not loose enough to slip over your pup's ears.
- What about Material? You need to opt for high-quality materials that are built to last. A good quality head collar should have sturdy webbing, with a solid-feeling clip.
- Is it Easy to Use? A head collar should be easy to put on and take off. It shouldn't be a whole ordeal for you to put the head collar on your dog, so importantly, you need to find one that works for you and your pooch and doesn't cause any panic.
Our Picks for the Top Dog Head Collars for Reactive Dogs
Now that we have some basics out of the way, let's take a closer look at some of the best head collars available in the UK market this year.
The Halti Head Collar
This is likely the one head collar most dog owners have heard of and rightly so. The Halti Head Collar has been providing unbelievable results for strong pullers and reactive dogs for several years. Often dubbed as the "World's First Head Collar," the Halti is easily adjustable for all types of dog breeds, and has soft padding throughout the nose band, keeping your pup's comfort in mind at all times.
One of the other great aspects of the Halti is the sizing. Their range runs from a size one (Toy Poodles, Mini Dachshund) to size five (St. Bernards, Great Dane). So, there really is an option for every dog.
The Dogmatic Head Collar
Dogmatic has sourced the most suitable quality materials and fittings for their Dogmatic Head Collar. This head collar combines a soft, padded lining, with the strength of Tensile-tested materials to create a high-quality and secure head collar.
Safety and comfort are the top priorities with the Dogmatic's design and the patterns are extremely cute, too. Our St. Bernard often wears their 'Padded Cushioned Webbing Headcollar' in purple, which makes her look sweet when out and about. Importantly, it can withstand the strength of a 60kg+ dog.
We also love that this product is easy to clean and dries relatively quickly - it has really stood the test with our Bernard's buckets of drool!
GoodBoy Dog Head Halter
A little bit lesser known than the Halti and Gentle Leader, the GoodBoy Head Halter is a comfortable option to prevent your dog from pulling on the leash during walks and other situations that require additional control.
This head collar fits around your dog’s head and nose (similar to a horse’s halter), with the leash attachment under your dog's chin. The GoodBoy is designed with soft neoprene and padded around your pooch's snout, similar to our other recommended designs, and has reflective stitching throughout for those low-light walks.
The Gentle Leader Head Collar
This is another popular design that most dog owners know about. The Gentle Leader is designed so that it fits on the back of the neck and across the nose. There is only one attachment point, so this head collar suits dog breeds that have a comparatively smaller neck size to their head. The reason for this is that dogs with 'pinheads' could likely slip their way out of the Gentle Leader if their reaction is big enough.
Overall, we would recommend the Gentle Leader primarily for medium-sized dogs.
How to Train Your Dog to Use a Head Collar
The next step in your head collar journey is training your dog how to not only use, but to accept their new head collar. This requires a bit of patience and positive reinforcement. Here are the basic steps that we used to help our dog adjust to a head collar:
- Introduce the Head Collar: With any new products we buy for our dogs, we literally just leave them on the ground or in a place where they can sniff and explore before putting them on.
- Establish a Positive Association: Pick up the head collar, bring it near your dog, let them make the choice to sniff and interact with it, and use cues like "Yes!" and treats to create a positive association. We recommend doing this for a couple of days before attempting to put the head collar on your dog.
- Begin with Gradual Wear: These should be short and sweet sessions of wearing the head collar indoors, or in the garden, gradually increasing the duration. We used to put the head collar on our pups, and scatter treats all through the garden so they would get used to snuffling while wearing it.
- Now it's Time for Outdoor Practice: You know your dog best, so once they're comfortable, start using the collar on short walks. Continue using treats and verbal praise to develop their positive association with the head collar. They will likely show signs of annoyance (pawing at the collar, rubbing their face on the ground), but most of the time this does go away. Just make sure that the collar isn't ill-fitting and irritating their skin.
- Be Consistent: Now you should be using the head collar consistently during walks to reinforce their good behaviour. You don't have to use one on every walk, but we tend to use ours during neighbourhood walks where there will likely be some type of trigger.
Some Frequently Asked Questions for Head Collars
Are head collars safe for all breeds?
Generally, yes. However, brachycephalic breeds with short noses, like Bulldogs and Pugs, may have difficulty with head collars due to their unique facial structure. We suggest that these breeds might be more comfortable with a harness that doesn't put pressure on their face.
Can head collars cause discomfort or an injury?
If you're using the head collar correctly, there really shouldn't be any risk of an injury occurring. Head collars are designed to be comfortable and prevent an injury from happening, however, improper fitting or harsh use can cause some discomfort.
How long does it take for a dog to get used to a head collar?
Dogs react to accessories differently, so the adjustment period varies. However, with consistent training and positive reinforcement, most dogs tend to adapt within one to two weeks.
Can I use a head collar with a regular leash?
Of course! Head collars can be used with regular leashes. It's generally recommended to use a leash that provides you with control, such as a training leash. Our preference is a double-ended leash that we can connect to both the head collar and our dog's front-clip harness.
Will a head collar completely stop my dog’s reactivity?
If only there was a magic tool that could do this! While head collars are extremely effective in managing reactivity, they're not a solution. You need to continue training and behaviour modification techniques in order to see a real difference in your dog's behaviour.
Our Conclusion
If you don't already own a head collar for your dog, we implore you to invest in one. Choosing the correct head collar for your reactive dog can make a huge difference in managing their behaviour.
If you do already have a head collar, tell us about why it's your favourite - we'd love to hear your thoughts about some of the brands we have mentioned. Any questions? Feel free to reach out.
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