How to put on a halter for dogs. How to determine the size and make a comfortable halter for dogs

To train and correct the behavior of dogs, devices such as a metal collar (strict or jerk) are traditionally used. It is believed that thanks to them, the owner does not have to sharply tug on the leash, because any strong tension already leads to discomfort and forces the dog to “slow down.”

However, the problem is that the dog quickly gets used to the pressure and stops responding to it. Having seen how much larger and stronger animals, horses, can be controlled, Dr. Roger McFord in 1979 invented a halter for dogs - a device that is popular all over the world.

How does a halter work?

The halter consists of several straps sewn together. The nose strap, made in the form of a loop, is connected to the neck strap using two cheek straps, which should fit snugly against the skin, but not press into it.

If they are too loose, the halter will flop around and irritate the dog. In this case, you need to tighten the neck strap. The nose strap should be directly in front of the dog's eyes and rest loosely on the muzzle (your finger can easily fit between it and the skin). The nose strap fits around the dog's nose and into the metal ring of the chin strap.

Another metal ring connects the ends of the nose strap, and it is to this ring that the leash is attached. When the dog begins to pull, the loop automatically tightens around the jowls and bridge of the nose. On the one hand, this pressure is sensitive enough for the animal to automatically stop pulling on the leash; on the other hand, the ring of the chin strap is pressed against the dog’s lower jaw and prevents the nose strap from being pulled too tight and causing pain.

A properly selected halter is safe for the dog; he cannot pull it with such force as to harm himself.

Why a halter is the best assistant

A halter is not an accessory for free walks with a dog. It is indispensable if you need to walk with a pet that has a habit of pulling on the leash to veterinary clinic or store, drive to public transport. It will also come in handy when you instruct an elderly person or child to take a large dog out into the yard. But it needs to be removed when you let your pet play with your four-legged friends or when you need to tie it up. In general, a dog in a halter should not be left unattended. If the halter gets caught on something, the dog will not be able to move forward, as may be necessary, but will only back away.

Some people call a halter a "muzzle", but it is made completely differently and will not prevent the dog from picking up something from the ground or even trying to grab something with its teeth. It is only intended to prevent her from pulling on the leash.

However, this piece of equipment in itself does not teach anything, so as soon as you remove the halter and attach the leash to a regular collar, the dog will begin to pull again. The most important purpose of a halter is to be an assistant in training. The dog is much faster in a halter than in a snatch or snatch. strict collar, understands what the owner wants from her when he commands “near” or “don’t pull.”

The fact is that our pets have such a behavioral mechanism as the “resistance reflex”. Many owners are surprised: the harder they pull the leash or pull the dog towards you, the more furiously it rushes forward. This is because counteraction satisfies the resistance reflex and in itself is a positive reinforcement for the dog. No amount of pressure from the collar will outweigh the pleasure of tearing and pulling where she wants. A halter allows you to control the animal’s head and redirect its attention to yourself in the presence of strong distractions.

For example, while walking outside, a dog sees a distracting object - say, another dog - and begins to be drawn towards it. You tug on the leash attached to the halter and turn the dog's head towards you. Immediately loosen the leash and give the animal a few seconds to assess the situation. If the dog no longer looks towards the distracting object, then you reward it with a treat. If the dog returns to its previous behavior, pull the halter leash again.

With constant training, correct actions and timely rewards, the dog will learn to focus its attention on you in the presence of any distractions. And this means that you can safely walk on a slack leash past other dogs, cyclists, cats or fallen ice cream.

Of course, training a dog will require time, patience and appropriate preparation. Therefore it is better if professional trainer will show you how to work with an animal using a halter.

How to train a dog to wear a halter

The sequence of actions in accustoming to wearing a halter is approximately the same as when accustoming to a muzzle. Let the dog sniff first new item, praise her and give her a treat to evoke pleasant associations in the animal. Then, grab the halter by the nose strap in one hand, and with the other hand, pass the treat through the ring that forms it for the dog. To get the treat, the dog will have to stick his nose through the loop. Repeat these steps several times until your pet sticks his nose into the halter to get the treat.

Now you can put on and immediately remove the halter several times, not forgetting to praise and treat the dog. When you see that your pet has begun to take this procedure completely calmly, you can fasten the leash and go outside. Of course, at first the dog will try to remove the extra object from its muzzle. This is especially easy for breeds with a non-convex neck, for example, setters, huskies, and spaniels. But there's a lot on the street interesting moments, which will help distract the dog from trying to free itself. And besides, you won’t forget to give treats and praise your pet for its calm behavior. It is necessary to put a regular collar on the dog, since the halter is attached to it, and besides, you will need to take a break from training and let the dog off the leash.

Types of halters

The highest quality halters are produced under the Halti Headcollar brand, which belongs to the English company The Company of Animals. These halters have become so popular that the word “halti” has become a household word!

Halters come in five different sizes:

A properly worn halti is at an equal distance from the nose and eyes. When you pull the chin strap, make sure your dog can open his mouth freely.

A real halti is made of very durable yet lightweight nylon and has a soft neoprene insert to prevent the hair on your dog's face from rubbing off. Plastic fasteners allow you to quickly and securely attach the halter.

At the moment, Halti dog halters are no longer imported to Russia. But we are pleased to offer you halters from Trixie (Germany), which are in no way inferior in quality.

The best reward is the result

After just a couple of weeks of using a halti, your dog will understand that any disobedience entails discomfort and will become much more obedient. Try it and see for yourself!

The article is based on materials from the magazine “If you have a dog”

According to statistics, not all dog owners know? what is a halter and why is it needed. Why is this piece of equipment so important and how to make it yourself?

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What is a halter?

When buying a pet, the owner often buys a collar and toys for the pet, but forgets about the halter or, as it is called, halti.

A halter is an accessory for a dog that fixes the animal's muzzle and allows you to walk it without problems. It is also called a collar-bridle, a muzzle-bridle, a leash-bridle.

The bridle collar holds the cheeks and jaws. It consists of two straps: one of them is attached to the upper part of the scruff of the neck, and the other is attached to the back of the nose. The neck strap of the halti is connected to the bow strap with the help of 2 cheek straps. The cheek straps should fit snugly against the cheeks, but not press into them. A bridle collar is used to correct the behavior of an animal on the street and at home.

It is necessary to select the correct accessory size. If it is very tight, then when jerking the pet may damage its jaw.

A dog wearing a bridle collar must not be tied or left unattended. Please remember that the accessory is used.

The nose strap should be directly in front of your pet's eyes and rest loosely on the muzzle. It is inserted into the metal ring of the chin strap. The leash is attached to the other ring. When the animal pulls on the leash, the central ring is pressed against the lower part of the jaw in such a way that the leash-bridle does not slide to one side.

At first, it will not be easy for your pet to get used to the muzzle-bridle. Therefore, you need to use the same training technique this accessory, as well as to the muzzle.

There are several types of halter: Halti and Gentle Leader. Halti is put on the pet along with another collar, since it is loosely attached. It does not tighten and suits a dog with a large muzzle. Popular manufacturers of such an accessory are Safari Whitcho, NY, Bohemia.

The Gentle Leader dog halter provides better snout support than the Halti, so another collar is not required. Well-known manufacturers Gentle Leaders are Premier Pet Products, VA, Richmond, Premier Pet Products.

Halti is not a muzzle and is not capable of harming your beloved dog.

We make halti ourselves

A dog halter is easy to make with your own hands. To do this you will need a little time, patience and a few tools and materials. We present to your attention simple instructions on how to create a muzzle-bridle with your own hands.

Tools and materials

First you need to prepare the following materials and tools:

• belt tape (sling) – 2 m;
• 2 rings – 25 mm;
• 2 small carabiners;
• fastener (fastener width - sling width);
• needle;
• strong threads;
• meter for measurement.

Materials must be selected according to the size of the pet.

Step by step instructions

To ensure that the process of creating a bridle collar with your own hands is quick, and the result is no worse than one ready in the store, you must follow the instructions.

1. Measure the circumference of the animal's neck and muzzle and write down the data.
2. Measure the distance between the muzzle and neck girth measurement points.
3. Measure the distance from the collar ring to the halter.
4. Cut pieces of belt tape according to the dimensions obtained.
5. Using a needle and thread, sew a ring to a sling equal to the circumference of the muzzle.
6. In the same way, sew the clasp to a section equal to the circumference of the neck.
7. Now you can sew the carabiners to the sling. When making a halti, do not forget to adjust its dimensions to the dog itself.
8. Assemble the halti, place it on your dog and attach the bottom ring to the leash.

Video “Teaching a puppy to halti”

Don't know how to train your dog to eat halti? See how experienced dog handlers do it.

Halti is a kind of “bridle”, the purpose of which is to control the dog’s behavior both on a walk and at home. The device resembles a bridle both in appearance and in its functions.

In Russia, halti is not yet as popular as in the West, but advanced amateur dog breeders, not to mention professionals, have already appreciated this useful, and most importantly - in highest degree humane accessory for controlling dog behavior.

Operating principle of a halti halter:

The halti halter is put on the animal's muzzle and securely holds the dog's cheeks and jaws - one strap runs along the back of the animal's nose, and the other through the scruff of the neck. The peculiarity of the halti type halter is its loose fastening, which makes it necessary to wear it together with another collar. A leash is attached to the halter - with the help of it the owner directs the dog in the right direction. It turns out that you are no longer holding the dog by the neck, as happens when using a regular leash, but by the muzzle. This tension gives the dog a clear signal to stop the action or change the direction of movement. In this case, the dog does not experience either suffocation or painful sensations- only his head turns in the other direction, and accordingly, ordinary inconvenience appears.

Benefits of using a halti for a dog owner

You will be able to completely control the dog’s behavior: it will not be able to pull you forward, jump on passers-by, or chase cats. Halti is an indispensable item for owners of poorly trained dogs;
- Halti is simply necessary if the dog is being walked by a child or an elderly person;
- Halti will ensure your safety even when the weight of the dog is much greater than the weight of a person. You will be able to forget about problems such as broken knees;
- This bridle is very convenient for traveling on public transport, for maneuvering in metro crowds.

Benefits of using halti for dog health and its humane education

The bridle will not cause any discomfort to the dog: it fits tightly around the muzzle, without at the same time preventing the dog from playing, drinking and eating, breathing, gnawing sticks or bones;
- You can control the dog’s behavior, its barking and the direction of movement without suffocation - halti is much more humane than a suffocating collar or muzzle with many belts that interfere with the dog;
- Halti is the best way management of dogs with neck injuries, damage to the larynx or spinal discs;
- Since halti is the most humane way to correct a dog’s behavior, it can be used when raising puppies - this will in no way harm their health and development. But halti can also be used for adult dogs - this bridle is especially convenient if we're talking about about dogs with large muzzles.

Where to buy halti in Russia. Which model is better to choose?

Halti can be bought both in a pet store and in an online store. The advantage of online shopping is a huge selection of models, lower purchase costs, and the possibility of delivery throughout the country.

Among the manufacturers we can highlight Trixie: wide range sizes (from XS to XL), as well as affordable prices (from 215 to 330 rubles).

Sizes and price of Trixie halti

The smallest muzzle is suitable for both puppies and small breed dogs (the length of the neck strap for this model is 30 cm, and the girth of the muzzle is up to 15 cm). The largest has a neck strap length of 54-66 cm, and a muzzle girth of up to 46. The price of this model is 328 rubles. There is a variation in size XL - it is called XL-short. This model is ideal for dogs with a short muzzle (the length of the neck strap is 46-58 cm, and the girth of the muzzle is up to 40 cm). The cost of the XL-short model is 330 rubles.

In addition, we advise you to pay attention to the company of the same name HALTI. Models from this manufacturer are available in two colors: standard black and bright red. You can choose one size or another depending on the breed of your dog.

Dimensions and prices of HALTI halters

1 size– Suitable for Border Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers, Dachshunds and Westies, Whippets and Corgis. Price – 550 rub.

size 2– for medium breeds (beagle, cocker spaniel, middle schnauzer, samoyed, border collie, scotch terrier). Price – 550 rub.

size 3– ideal for dogs of Dalmatian, Labrador, Doberman, Afghan breeds, German shepherd, Husky, Boxer, Doberman, Malamute, Weimaraner, Rhodesian Ridgeback. The price of the black model is 650, red – 550 rubles. rub.

size 4– for large dogs (Great Dane, Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, Gordon Setter, Akita). Price – 650 rub.

size 5– also for large breeds: Mastiff, Bloodhound, Great Dane and St. Bernard. Price - 650 rub.

How to use khalti correctly

First of all, try to exercise more often, select the optimal tension force of the leash. The jerk should not be too sharp - even light movement It will be quite enough for the dog to correct its behavior.

It is also very important to properly train your dog to use a halter. First, let the dog sniff the new accessory; as soon as he is distracted, praise him and treat him with his favorite treat. Make sure your dog does not grab the halter with his teeth. Then grab the bridle by the nose strap with one hand, and take the treat in the other hand and pass it to the dog through the ring formed by the nose strap. Thus, in order to get what he wants, the dog will have to stick his head into the loop on his own. With this exercise, you can easily teach your dog to put on a halter on his own.

In addition, you need to adjust the halter according to the shape of your dog's head - tighten the straps so that they do not cause discomfort to your dog, but at the same time fit snugly around the muzzle. When purchasing, the most important thing is to choose the right size, taking into account the breed, as well as the structure of your dog’s head. The above classification will help you with this.

Possible problems with using halti:

Experts do not recommend using a bridle on dogs with large, drooping lips. The fact is that when the leash is pulled, they often bite their lips;

Make sure that the halti does not rub the skin of the dog’s nose - this is especially true in the first days of using such a collar. Over time, the dog owner gets used to controlling the dog in this way, and the halti does not cause any discomfort to the dog;

Before each walk, check that the halti is worn correctly. Owners of spaniels, setters, and huskies should be especially careful: dogs with slightly convex heads sometimes easily remove the bridle with the help of their paws, so it is better to pass the neck strap of the halter under the collar strap.

It is most often used to correct a dog’s behavior or train it. It is believed that with a strong tension on the collar, the dog will feel discomfort and will stop pulling the owner along with it. However, there is another very useful device - a halter for dogs. Let's find out what it serves and how to use such an accessory.

Using a halter for dogs

The halter consists of several straps sewn together. The nose strap has the shape of a loop and is connected to the neck strap using cheek straps. In a properly selected halter, the cheek straps fit snugly against the animal's skin without pressing into it.

The nose strap is located under the dog's eyes. At the same time, it should be secured so loosely that the owner’s finger can easily fit between it and the dog’s skin. Covering the dog's nose, this strap is connected by a metal ring to the chin strap. Another ring connects the ends of the nose strap and a leash is attached to it. When the leash is pulled, the ring on the chin strap presses against the dog's jaw, preventing the nose strap from being too tight and causing pain to the animal. In this case, the entire structure of the halter will be securely fixed and will not move to the side. It’s not for nothing that the British gave the halter another name: “soft driving”.

A halter can be used for those dogs that are used to pulling. However, you should know that the use of such equipment is not training and will not teach the dog anything. If you put a collar on him afterwards, the animal will again pull on the leash, as before.

It makes sense to use a halter if you need to take your dog to the veterinarian, travel with it on public transport, or simply take it out for a walk in the yard. But if you need to tie your dog or let him go for a walk, the halter must be removed. >After all, if she catches on any object with a halter, she will only be able to move backwards, and she will not be able to move forward.

A dog muzzle, compared to a halter, is designed completely differently. In a halter, a dog can pick up something from the ground and even grab someone’s leg. The sole purpose of a halter is to assist in training a dog. In it, the animal will understand much faster than in a muzzle what the command “near” or “don’t pull” means.

You can buy a halter in a store, or you can make it yourself. As practice shows, making a halter for a dog is not at all difficult. To do this, you need to have two metal rings, two carabiners, a two-meter long sling and a fastener. Once you assemble the halter, be sure to adjust it to the size of your dog.

The halti design itself has the shape of a bridle. Used this device for controlling a dog while walking. Halti (dog halter), with correct use, absolutely safe. All will be discussed below positive aspects of this device.

Halti for dogs - the main advantages of use for the owner himself

So, the advantages of using a halter are as follows:

1. The dog owner has complete control over the dog's behavior. This means that she will not be able to jump on people passing by or pull her owner along with her.
2. Halti is also an ideal device for a comfortable trip with your dog on public transport.

What benefit does this device have for the dog itself? We will talk about this further.

Pros of using halti for the dog itself

Halti for dogs can also be used when working with puppies. And all because the halter is the safest compared to a regular muzzle. It does not choke the animal, which makes it possible to use it even if the dog has any injuries to the neck or spine.

And the last plus is that such a device allows the dog to eat and drink absolutely without any inconvenience.

These criteria given above show all the convenience and versatility of halti for dogs. And then, there will be a list of sizes and breeds of dogs that fit this size.

Halti sizes for dogs and breeds that fit these sizes

There are a total of five sizes on sale, from 0 to 5. This part of the article will also list dog breeds that fit one or another halter size. It is important to remember that the correctly selected size will allow the animal to feel comfortable in such equipment, and on top of that, it is also safe. After all, if the halti is too large, the dog can easily take it off and run away from the owner, and in the worst case, attack a person passing by.

And now specifically about the sizes:

1. The first size is 0. It is perfect for the shortest small breeds. These include toy poodles.
2. The next size is 1. It will suit slightly larger dogs. For example, Basenjis will feel very good in a halter of this size.
3. Size 2. It can be used for breeds such as Beagle, Scotch Terrier, etc.
4. The penultimate size is 4. The breeds here are quite large size: Rottweiler, etc.
5. And finally, the last one is 5. This size Suitable for mastiff dogs and other equally large breeds.

So, let's summarize what was said above. When buying a halter in a store, it is important to choose exactly the halti that best suits the size of the animal. The halter should be neither too small nor too large. An indicator of a correctly selected size is the ability to freely open the pet’s mouth.

Instructions for making halti with your own hands

Situations often arise when it is impossible to find halti in pet stores in the city. And why? Because in Russia the named accessory does not have the same popularity as abroad. Russians are accustomed to ordinary muzzles for their pets and often pass by display cases with halters. But, by the way, it’s easy to make a halti for a dog with your own hands. And how it is done, we will look in more detail.

What is needed to make khalti

How to sew a halti for a dog with your own hands? The answer to this question is quite simple, but first, you need to talk about what you will need in your work. The list is quite small. Everything on this list can be easily found in any store at an affordable price.

1. Sling, two meters long.
2. Two rings.
3. Two small carabiners.
4. Plastic clasp and adjuster.

Main stages of work

After purchase necessary materials, you need to find out the size of the dog. To do this, you need to measure the girth of the neck and the girth of the mouth, as well as the distance from the neck to the beginning of the mouth. In addition, you need to know the distance from the leash, which will be on the dog’s neck, to the middle of its nose.

Once the dimensions are known, you need to cut the sling into pieces of the required length. It is important not to forget to leave a few centimeters of margin for the seams.

The fastening of the halka is mainly located on the dog’s scruff. It is best to take a leash around her neck with a margin of 10 to 15 centimeters. Next, you need to sew a length adjuster and a lock onto one end of it. After which, the shortest piece of sling is taken, and a ring is sewn onto the end of this piece. And the other end of this piece is folded in half and sewn to the collar.

It is worth noting that this part of the halti will be under your pet's muzzle. Then, a loop is sewn that will wrap around the dog's muzzle. There should be a ring on it, sewn on exactly the same way as on the collar.

It will be very good if you sew soft cloth. After that, two more pieces of sling are sewn on, which should go from the nose leash to the collar.

Sewing a halti halter for a dog with your own hands is quite easy and simple. It won't take much time, and it will be cheaper.

Opinions of people who use halti for dogs: photos with examples of halti

There are a lot of opinions among dog owners regarding the use of halti. Some people consider this device unsafe, while others, on the contrary, consider it very difficult to do without. So what do people really think about halti for dogs? Reviews on the sites are mostly positive. Also presented here illustrative examples halti.

Many of the owners used a regular leash at first, and often the walk became torture for them. The dog did not obey and tried to escape from the owner’s hands. This became the reason to look for an alternative.

Among the buyers of halti there are many who have got a dog for the first time and are trying to find the most suitable adaptation for their walks. In a word, everyone has their own reason.

As for the advantages that dog breeders have identified, there are quite a lot of them. The most basic of them is the absence of any damage to the animal due to the use of halti. In addition, the dog will be able to calmly drink, eat and walk on fresh air. And, of course, one should not lose sight of the convenience for the owner himself during a walk.

Another important plus - fast addiction dogs to a new attribute. As the owners write, for the animal to get used to the halter, just a few hours and quite a bit of patience are enough. The wear resistance of the halti did not go unnoticed. Many of those who purchased it have been using this device for several years, and they are confident that it will last for another for a long time. Dog breeders also consider the price acceptable distinctive feature halti. For many, the acquisition of such an attribute was not a disaster in budget terms.

So, the general result can be summed up as follows. Halti can and should be used. The halter is safe for both the dog and the owner. In addition, it is very inexpensive and will not hurt your pocket too much.

At the end of the article, I would like to say a few words about how to help your dog get used to a halter. After all, in order for the use of a halter to be truly comfortable for both the dog and the owner, it is necessary for the pet to get used to it. And how to do this will be discussed further. So, in order:

1. The first step is to let the dog smell the Halti.
2. It is necessary, holding the nose strap with one hand, give the dog a treat through the hole and put the strap on the dog's nose. You need to continue until the dog itself begins to stick its nose into the hole.
3. When the dog finally gets used to it and does not bite or try to tear off the halter, you can completely put the halti on the dog and go outside.

By observing these three points, you can quickly and easily ensure that your pet gets used to the halti and will not break out.

A halter is a training tool that can help you teach your dog not to pull on the leash. Use a halter design that allows you to accurately fit your dog. Traditionally, people used various aids to control dogs: a collar and leash, a harness, a cage, a fence, and a chain helped keep the dog safe. Halter – next generation training tools and differs from them in that it gives you control over the dog's head. This is much more effective than tugging on the collar and gives you a secure but gentle method of control. When you can control your dog's head, you can redirect his attention to you in the presence of strong distractions.

When walking your dog, you encounter many different distractions - children on skateboards, cars, bicycles, other dogs, cats and birds. If you only control your dog with a collar and leash, you will have to pull him away while he strains at the leash, barks, or jumps toward something that pleases or irritates him. While you are dragging your dog out of there on a leash, you are actually rewarding his behavior. Dogs have a “resistance reflex.” When you push a dog, it resists. When you pull it, it will begin to push against you again. Many trainers use this reflex in defense training to stimulate the dog. Pulling your dog back further reinforces his determination to get where he wants to go. Dogs do what is rewarded. Every time she pulls on the leash, she is rewarded for pulling. In addition to the irritation of the fact that the dog constantly drags you, you teach him to rush for what he wants, and this is simply dangerous. A halter helps to avoid this unwanted learning, and with its help, the dog will learn to be more calm about stimuli. She will learn that looking at you in the presence of a stimulus - no matter how strong - is much more rewarding.

Walking on a leash is an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. It’s ideal if you train your dog at the same time, so that subsequent walks will be even more enjoyable. Learning is based on choice. A choice with a pleasant outcome will be more frequent than a choice that produces an unpleasant outcome. You may think that jerking a collar is a fairly unpleasant result, but in fact it does not outweigh the pleasure that the dog receives when he rushes to the object of interest.

Using a halter, the handler, instead of dragging a reluctant dog, can simply turn the dog's muzzle toward him and then release the tension to allow the dog to make a choice. If the dog no longer looks at the distraction, the handler rewards the correct choice with a treat or a game of tug. If the dog chooses the distractor, the handler will turn the dog's face toward him again. At this time, however, he moves away from the object that interests the dog so much. The greater the distance to an object, the less interesting it is, so the dog is more likely to right choice. When working with stimuli in this way, the dog learns to make choices based on the consequences of its behavior. She never receives reinforcement for looking, pulling, or rushing toward an object that interests her, since the handler immediately turns her head away from it. This way the dog is constantly being reinforced for making the correct choice by looking at the handler, so that it soon becomes a conscious choice when faced with a stimulus. With constant practice, correct actions and with timely rewards, the dog will learn to focus its attention on you in the presence of any distractions. And this means that you can safely walk on a slack leash without fear that she will rush towards other dogs, or children, or fallen ice cream.

Explanation: Arguments given against halter.

Any new training tools are met with skepticism and controversy. Unfortunately, the halter did not escape this fate. When you walk down the street with your dog, many people think it's a muzzle. We should view this misconception as an opportunity to educate others about the benefits of this wonderful tool. You can quickly explain that this is not a muzzle because the dog can open its mouth and has the opportunity to eat, drink or play. Further explain that this is a progressive training device that allows you to train your dog without nagging or getting frustrated. This easy way to success and understanding between owner and dog.

Some trainers believe that using a halter can injure a dog's neck. The truth is that with any tool - even a soft collar and leash - you can misuse hurt the dog's neck or worse. Conduct a simple experiment on yourself. Turn your palm with an edge, as if you are going to throw a karate blow, and place it towards your neck, where the dog’s soft collar goes - in the area of ​​​​the Adam’s apple. Now press hard, as if you were pulling on a leash - very uncomfortable. Now do the same in the area where the well-fitted halter goes - under lower jaw. Not at all like that discomfort. Any tool used incorrectly can be dangerous. The key to any training is to observe the dog on a leash. This is especially important when using a halter so that you can continually help your dog make the right choice. The halter should only be attached to a regular leash and not to a long rope, tape measure or harness. Common sense should be present when training dogs by any means. At correct use a halter will quickly change the minds of all those who are distrustful.

General error.

One big mistake that those who use a halter make is failure to take the necessary measures to transfer the dog to a regular collar. Your goal when using a halter is to teach your dog to behave correctly even without it. A correct, systematic approach to learning is needed. Be patient, consistent, and you will be rewarded with an obedient dog!

Stage 1: We add value to the halter in the eyes of the dog.

The ideal way to introduce your dog or puppy to a halter is to do it gradually and with a large number encouragement. Sometimes this is not possible because you need to take control of the dog immediately! In an ideal world, you would have time to help your dog “make friends” with the halter by playing a few games. fun games– another opportunity for you to learn about behavior selection. Bob Bailey believes in teaching your dog at least one skill per week using this method. Some dogs may not like wearing a halter. By playing the following games you can increase the value of your halter in your dog's eyes.

Game No. 1. Delicious clicks.

This game allows you to prevent possible fear the sound of a halter being fastened behind the ears.
1.Take the halter clasp and bring both ends together, but do not snap them together.
2.Start so your dog can see the clasp and use one hand to snap it into place. This acts as a clicker click so you can give your dog a treat.
3.Repeat this several times, and if the dog is not afraid of the sound, you can gradually begin to snap the clasp closer and closer to the back of the dog's head behind the ears.

Game No. 2. The loops on the nose are great!
1.Hold the halter so that the loop is stretched. Your goal is to select the puppy's movements so that he begins to stick his nose into the loop. First, encourage your dog to look at the loop and reward through it.
2. Gradually increase the demands until the only way for the dog to get a reward is to stick his nose into the loop.
3.Very soon the dog will be happily putting the nose loop on to eat the treat (no need to click the clicker as no special action is required).
4. You can sometimes let go of the loop so that the dog itself holds it on its nose. If the loop remains on the face, simply feed it; if it falls, the game starts again, and the dog must stick its nose in again to earn food.

Game No. 3. Halter is cool!

1. Prepare a bowl of food, add something tasty (cheese or meat) to it.
2. Put the halter on the dog, adjusting it properly (1-2 fingers should fit between the collar and the neck), like a wristwatch.
3.Give the dog his special dinner and when he has finished eating, remove the halter. We want the dog to associate wearing a halter with special occasions.

Game No. 4. We pull in a halter.
Note: This game is only effective if your dog enjoys playing fetch. We're going to transfer the value of the game to wearing a halter. If she doesn't like this game, then continue to work on developing drive from "pulls" without a halter.
1. Place the halter on your dog, but do not tighten it.
2.Play with your dog's favorite toy for a few minutes.
3.Once you have finished playing, remove the halter. Finish the game before the dog does.
4. During subsequent games, gradually tighten the halter to its normal position.

Stage 2: Halter training.

Now that you've covered all the basics, you can start learning. Before you start your first session, make sure you have plenty of treats, a clicker, and a plan for a short, successful training session. Play something simple like palm touch or another simple skill.

Make sure to keep the leash slack in a J shape at all times.

Never pull on the leash while it is attached to the halter. In any case, you must avoid physically correcting the dog, especially in a halter, otherwise you can damage the neck.

If you want to redirect your dog's attention, quickly move left hand closer to the clasp. Hold the leash firmly and pull the dog's face up and towards you, hold for a second and loosen the leash.

Avoid giving your dog the opportunity to paw at its muzzle or rub against the ground. Although she is simply trying to remove the halter, this behavior is self-reinforcing for her and will interfere with her activities.

If your dog puts his paw on the leash, allow him to untangle himself. If you unravel it yourself, this behavior will take on the nature of avoiding an unpleasant situation. If she resists, don't say anything - just pull up until she relaxes, then release the tension as a reward.

Give plenty of praise and encouragement for correct movement around you. After many successful sessions, you can give this informal type of walk a name - a command like “With me.” This should be different from your “Near” command because all we want the dog to do is walk on a slack leash.

Don't be discouraged if your dog resists wearing a halter. Remember her as a child - she also resisted the collar and leash until she got used to them. Many dogs get used to the halter very quickly, while others periodically try to scrape it off. Understand that if you ever remove a halter because the dog looks unhappy in it, you will encourage it and you can be sure that the unhappy look will be shown to you more than once. Behavior grows from encouragement!

Work in very short bursts of 1 to 3 minutes, then remove the halter. Many successful short sessions are the path to success.

Coping with distraction.

If your dog's attention is distracted, use a halter to redirect it. At the same time, back away from the distraction to increase the likelihood that your puppy will do the right thing. Don't say anything to the dog - even a reprimand is a form of encouragement, it is important not to talk to the dog while using the halter. Just keep the dog's face up and towards you and wait. When the dog relaxes, praise and feed.

If when you praise your dog he gets excited and turns back to the distractor, repeat the whole process again until his attention is focused on you. If she remains relaxed for a few seconds, reward her.

Try to anticipate the moment when your dog will begin to rush towards another dog by observing the direction of his gaze and posture. Try to distract her with yourself or another simple task in advance. Try to get your dog to do things that are incompatible with trying to get away from the other dog before the situation escalates (eg, palm touching, lying down, sitting, looking at you). Remember to reward any behavior that suits you.

Training crutch or training tool?

The halter is a great training tool, but many people use it as a crutch. A tool is something you use to teach your dog proper behavior. Your goal when using the tool is to achieve correct behavior, which you achieve with the tool, has replaced normal behavior dogs and the need for a tool disappeared. Instead, people rely on a crutch to control their dog at all times. They often keep the halter tight, preventing the dog from making mistakes. Using a halter in this manner produces dogs that act crazy when left in the wild without a halter.
Remember, learning comes through giving choice. For it to be effective, you must allow the dog to make mistakes. Any incorrect reaction of the dog (it breaks on the leash, pulls, rubs against the ground) will immediately be met with the opposite action described above. When your dog walks well with you, rewards from you in the form of treats, play, or praise will help reinforce good choices. Your task is to balance out wrong actions with at least twice as many correct and reinforced reactions. Soon your dog will understand his task and if he pulls on the leash, he will return on his own without help from you.

Transition from a halter to a regular collar.

The goal of using all training tools is to ensure that the dog's good behavior replaces them. Below is a consistent path to walking your dog with a regular collar.

When is it time:

1.You have walked your dog in as many different places as possible for at least 2 months and used a halter and reward to develop proper leash walking.
2. In the last two weeks, you have noticed that the dog’s behavior has become so ideal that the leash is hardly or not at all tense. The halter has done its job, so now it's time to teach the dog to behave the same way with a regular collar.

How to act.

Take your dog to a quiet place to increase the likelihood of success. Attach the leash not to the halter (which is still on the dog), but to the collar. While walking, let your dog understand that he is wearing a collar. If she pulls on the leash and comes back to you after correcting her mistake, praise her. It was the right choice. If she doesn't come back on her own, don't say anything. Try to resist the temptation to give her advice. The dog must choose for himself correct option behavior. If she still doesn't correct herself, reattach the leash to the halter to bring her back. Any behavior has its consequences. We allow the dog to discover that making the right choice has pleasant consequences. If she decides to seek encouragement by pulling on the leash, she will end up back in the halter. If your dog pulls on the leash more than three times during a walk, he is telling you that you are trying to transition him to a collar too early. Continue using the halter until the behavior becomes more stable.

You've been walking your dog in very distracting places before and you haven't had to change the leash to a halter in the last two weeks.

Remove the halter from your dog and clip it to the leash loop in your hand. Continue doing the same as before. Now, if the dog starts making mistakes again, put the halter on him again. Carry the halter with you for another year from the moment you consider your training completed. Then you can quickly take control of the situation if something unexpected happens.

Remember that every behavior has consequences. We teach your dog that it is always more beneficial to walk on a slack leash than to pull and tear.