Head Collars, aka Gentle Leader, Halti, and Promise Collar, are  commonly marketed for use on dogs that pull. They were designed based upon halter's that are used on horses. However, unlike a horse halter, which sits down on the bridge of the nose, dog head halters sit  below the eyes.

I do not use, and never recommend, the Gentle Leader for training. I have extensively used both products in conjunction with behavioral as well as obedience training issues.  I subsequently never found any dog that responded well on one even while just out for a walk. My conclusion was that the psychology of the dog, versus the horse, was the reason.

I have seen dog's literally become depressed while wearing a Gentle Leader or Halti, and worse, I have seem a few become aggressive.  I have experienced, and have seen, dogs literally fight to keep it from being placed on them. I have also seen dogs use every way possible to get it off. It's telling. There is a very discernable difference between restraining your dog and training your dog.

I have a long background with horses including, owning, caring for and training. Years ago I attended several weekend seminars conducted personally by Pat Pirelli, world-renowned horse trainer and clinician who teaches Natural Horsemanship. I fully understand the concepts of equine behavior, and the use of the horse halter when training and leading a horse.

There is a huge difference between a 1200 Lb horse, whose instinct is to flee, and a dog who has a multitude of instinctual drives. To control and effectively work with a horse it must be "grounded". Our dogs are already grounded. This happened thousands of years ago when canines were domesticated. The "prey" horse and the "predator" canine cannot be compared to one another. So, to use similar training equipment, in my opinion, simply makes no sense.

As a dog trainer it has been my experience that, with very few exceptions, dogs are overly resistant to the Gentle Leader, and Halti, and rightly so - the dogs muzzle is extremely sensitive. Dogs use their noses and mouths to not only communicate, eat and play, but also to defend themselves. From a psychological as well as physical standpoint, canines, because they possess such strong social and defense drives,  feel extremely vulnerable having their muzzles restricted in any way. Consider that the primary way in which dogs communicate and defend themselves is by using their muzzles,  it is understandable why they would never want it constrained.

I often use this example to make my point; What if you were forced to have your hands tied behind your back every time you left the house? You would obviously feel completely vulnerable if confronted by a stranger.  Would you ever want to leave your house again?

Does the Gentle Leader keep dogs from pulling? - usually. That's it! I teach that there is so much more to training your dog than teaching it not to pull. Effective and gentle training is best accomplished by using the proper equipment and training methods. I recommend training equipment proven to me to be gentle, effective and most importantly, un-offensive to my best friend, and yours - the dog.

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