Head halters are still a useful and humane tool for teaching loose leash walking. As with any of the tools we use (including leash and collar), they are a means to an end and should not be considered as a replacement for proper training. You still have to do the work!
Gentle Leader with double-ended leash
There is no “magic” product out there to solve your problems. They are most often considered for dogs who have developed a pulling or lunging problem that makes them difficult or unsafe to walk (as in the case of the 100# owner and the 80# dog). They allow the owner to turn the head and redirect the dog’s attention. They are extremely useful in dealing with dogs with aggression issues. They are not a muzzle, although many people will assume so if your dog is wearing one… consider it an opportunity to educate the public 
The two most commonly seen and available head halters in the USA are the “Gentle Leader” (GL) and the “Halti”. They each have their advantages and disadvantages. The general premise is that they work like a horse’s halter. If you can control the head, you can control the body. Some dogs are very resistant to them (often the ones that
would benefit the most) and some accept them with little adjustment period. You can increase your chances of success by introducing the halter in a slow and positive manner.
Gentle Leader:
Manufactured by Premier Pet Products, they were formerly only available from trainers and vets, but are now available in many retail places. They come in various sizes and colors, but I suggest choosing a color that closely matches your dog’s face.
Description:
Two “loops” that connect below the chin at the throat. The “neck loop” fits like a collar high on the neck just behind the ears. The fit is quite snug. The “nose loop” goes over the dog’s nose and rests just in front of the eyes. It is adjusted fairly snugly so that the loop won’t slide off the end of the dog’s nose. There is a ring at the bottom where the two loops connect. This is where the leash attaches.
Advantages:
Well made. Nice feeling fabric. Choice of quick release or buckle. A second ring on the neck loop allows you to use it as a collar (nose loop hangs loose at throat rather than over nose) in transitioning off of using the GL. For dogs that accept it readily, the owner can be walking the dog in a matter of minutes. It doesn’t require much training for owners to get started.
Disadvantages:
Snug fit is fairly restrictive. Some dogs find this objectionable. Generally costs more than the Halti. The position of the leash attachment gives less control than that of the Halti.
Halti:
Created by Dr. Roger Mugford and manufactured by Coastal. They are available in many pet supply stores and catalogs. They come in a variety of sizes, originally only in black, but some colors are now available. If you choose a color, choose one that blends with your dog’s face.
Description:
One piece design has cheek straps that connect the nose loop and neck loop portions. Newer models may have some adjustment options. Leash connects to a ring that is located on the bottom under the dog’s chin. All have quick release connectors. Fit should allow a finger to easily slide under both cheek straps.
Advantages:
Looser fit and lighter weight fabric is less restrictive and better accepted by some dogs. Location of the chin ring gives better leverage… easier to turn the dog’s head without twisting the neck. Less expensive and may be easier to find than the GL.
Disadvantages:
Feels a bit flimsier to the touch. Looser fit means that the dog can paw it off or back out of it easier. It is recommended that a back-up leash or collar be used for safety and the Halti now comes with a short safety strap to attach it to the collar. Lack of adjustment means it may not fit all head shapes.
My Opinion:
In most cases, I prefer to use a Halti over a Gentle Leader. I like the more relaxed fit as it is accepted by more dogs and the placement of the leash attachment gives me better control. I always use a double-ended leash with head halters to prevent putting steady pressure on the dog’s head, which is the main reason dog’s object to head halters. This double-ended leash system is also safer and gives me much better control with less effort.
SAFETY NOTE: A head halter should only be used with a short leash (6 ft. max). Use with a longer lead could allow the dog to run to the end and be jerked by the head. While rare, this could result in a neck injury. The head halter is a training tool and should be used properly at all times.
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I’ve been using a halti on my 1 year old Kelpie, she is adjusting, and training is going well. How long should one use a halti? Is it meant to be used just for the training period? This puppy is very spirited, my concern is, can it hurt their sinuses? I have a proper fitting one that gives complete freedom in the mouth area etc. I notice that she snorts sometimes when she pulls.
Please give me the scoop!
Thank you.
Hi Mary Ann,
You may use the Halti as long as you feel it is necessary. Ideally, you will eventually try to wean your dog off of it, but she is still young and there may always be situations where that bit of extra control comes in handy. If she is relaxed and comfortable wearing it, that can also help her relax in those challenging situations. It becomes valuable to her as well as to you. I wouldn’t rush to get her off of it. Used correctly (and preferably with a double ended leash), it is safe for long-term use.
Is a halti or gentle leader more effective for a dog that jumps? My dog likes to lunge and jump after people (mainly joggers and bikers) on walks–he doesn’t pull much actually. It’s not aggressive, just overly friendly. I just worry about neck injury, but I’m also worried about him hurting someone if he manages to jump when my guard is down (that has happened when I was talking to someone and my dog was trying to jump on someone on the other side of me going by. He is in obedience classes, but he forgets his training when he sees someone he wants to jump on.
Hi Jane,
Either one will work as well if you learn how to use it properly. I prefer to always use a double-ended lead with a head halter. With one end clipped to the head halter and the other end to a flat collar or harness you will have much more control over your dog with less risk of injury. Remember to keep the leash loose when he is walking nicely. If he lunges, use both leads to catch him, turn slightly, let his feet come back to the ground and gently release the pressure of the leash. If you keep your arms slightly bent but relaxed, you will be prepared to catch him should he lunge. Also work to praise and reward him each time he makes the choice to keep his feet on the ground when he is excited.
I have a 4 year old Aussie. We adopted him a year ago from a couple whose life was changing and they could not keep him. I think our Aussie was the Alpha in the household he came from and rarely was taken on walks or controlled. He is a wonderful adoring dog except when we go for walks or when people come to our door. Then he turns into this excited dog that is almost impossible to control.
When we are walking he gets so excited when he sees another dog and sounds like he wants to tear them apart. He really just wants to see the dog and play…. If the owner of the other dog is willing to come close he will calm down and sniff and wants to play. He also will bark and jump at bikers and joggers as they go by us.
I have been making him stop and sit and stay and I get in front of him when something approaches and tell him to stay but he wiggles around me and it is a chore. It takes all my muscles to hold him and constant verbal cues for him. Every once in a while he will do it beautiful as if to say see I can do this sometimes….. when I want.
We adopted him to be a companion for a Siberian Husky who was rescued from a puppy mill when she was 1. We had our Husky for 3 years when we adopted the Aussie and she is doing great but still skittish about any aggression around her. She trust me completely but really gets scared and skittish if I try to correct the Aussie. She and the Aussie have become fast friends and best buddies though so that is good.
We tried the Gentle Leader a few months ago for about a month and at times it worked like a charm on the Aussie. But most of the time he was a bucking bronco. He kept managing to slip it off his face in a matter of seconds and so we kept trying to tighten it up so he couldn’t get it off. My worry was we had tightened it up too much on his snout and he could not pant enough to stay cool.
Once when we were going on our walk he had the leader on and was starting to walk with me and not pay attention to the leader. He did really well for a few blocks. When we crossed a street (thank goodness not a busy one) he did his quick second maneuver to try to pull it off and got his toe nail caught on the muzzle part and it pulled him down in the street trying to get it loose and off.
I couldn’t help but laugh at his antiques with all his moving around on his side with is paw caught his leash caught around his other feet and he was essentially hog tied. I found myself in tears laughing in the middle of the street with our Aussie’s paw stuck while trying to get out of the Gentle leader. It was a priceless moment I wish I had on tape for how Not to use the Gentle leader.
Would the Halti work any better for our Aussie? We did have some luck with the Gentle leader and are going to try it again now that it is cooler and I won’t be worried he can’t pant enough to cool off. Before we tried it again I have been searching online for something that will work better or we won’t have to fit it so tight to get it to stay on him.
I love the idea of the two ended leash to be used for walking him….. that is a great idea. I use a gentle harness right now for him and think I am going to put a regular harness and try either the Gentle leader or the Halti with it and a two headed leash.
I would welcome any other suggestions! I adore both of these dogs and can get our Aussie to behave but it is a chore. I love to take them on long walks but have to be on constant alert to any joggers, bikers or other dogs in the area.
Hi Mary,
I think that before you try the Halti it would help to get a little help with your leash handling skills. One thing I have found is that the more we “man handle” the leash, the more the dogs bulk and balk. So learning how to stay calm and use as little pressure as needed can really help you. I recommend you check http://www.ttouch.com for a TTouch practitioner near you. They will teach you the proper way to use the head halter, a double-ended leash, and your harness as well as ways to help your Aussie relax. You can also check out http://www.functionalrewards.com for a method to help him deal with his excitement about seeing other dogs. Hopefully he gets regular opportunities to play with safe dogs off leash.