Dog training - Training your dog with a head collar

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Dog training - Training your dog with a head
collar
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There are many devices used in the world
of dog training, and some are obviously
more effective than others. One of the
dog training devices that does work well,
however, is known collectively as the head
collar.
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The head collar is a device that is designed to
wrap around the nose of the dog and then attach
behind the head. It uses the pressure points on
the dogs nose and head to apply pressure
which stops the dog from pulling, jumping and
straining against the leash.
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Many people who see head collars mistake them for
muzzles. This can make many people nervous
when the dog is out and about, and it
bothers some dog owners as well. Beyond
that, however, the head collar can be a
valuable training tool for many dogs,
particularly large breeds that may have
learned their own strength and are
difficult to control with a normal buckle
collar.
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There are two main brands of head collar on the
market, the Halti and the Gentle Leader.
Most people find the Gentle Leader easier
to use than the Halti. In addition, the
Gentle Leader is designed to fasten around
the dogs neck. With this design, if the
dog manages to remove the muzzle portion,
it is still wearing a collar. While it
is difficult for most dogs to get out of the
muzzle portion of a head collar, some dogs do
figure out how to perform this trick.
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The Halti version, on the other hand, generally
provides better control of the dog, and it
is often favored with those working with
large, aggressive dogs for that reason.
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Training the dog with a head collar is
often easier for beginning dog trainers and
inexperienced dog owners than is training
with a regular buckle color. Head collars
are quite good at stopping even the
strongest dogs from pulling and straining,
since these devices use leverage to give the
handler more control.
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Head collars are often favored by many
people for handling dogs in difficult
situations, such as being around other dogs or
taking a trip to the vet. A head collar can
be quite effective at controlling the dog in
frightening and difficult situations, even when
it is not used for regular training.
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It is better, actually, to use head collars as
occasional training tools or reminders, not as a
replacement for a regular buckle collar or
training collar. That is because many dogs
quickly learn to tell the difference
between the head collar and the normal
collar, and adjust their behavior
accordingly. Therefore, the dog that behaves
perfectly while wearing the head collar may
suddenly jump and strain out of control
when returned to the regular collar.
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That fact, of course, points up the
limitation of any training device, even one
as effective as a head collar. The goal
of any quality dog training program should
be to create a willing, obedient dog that
can be controlled by nothing more than the
handlers voice.
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Even if you plan to never allow your dog to go
outside without a collar and lead, a well
trained dog should be capable of walking
with you without a leash, even if there
are a great many distractions around. The
head collar can help guide you to this goal, but
it is till up to you to gain the respect and
trust of the dog that will allow it to become a
truly well trained member of the family.
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If you are unsure how to use a head
collar, or if you are unsure if a head
collar is right for you, you might want
to consult with a dog trainer, your
veterinarian or the staff at your local
pet store. These experts have probably seen
many head collars used, and they may be able to
provide valuable insight on the type of training
device that will work the best for you.
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To Learn More About Dog Training, go to
http//howtohousetraindog.com/go/dog-traininghtt
p//howtohousetraindog.com/go/theonlinedogtrainer
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