How to Halter Train Your Dog

There are several reasons why you might want to halter train your dog, and it isn't as difficult as one might imagine. If you've already trained your dog to collar and leash, halter training should simply be the next logical progression. in fact, the most difficult part of halter training is teaching your dog that the apparatus isn't going to be scary or harmful. Since it's larger than a collar and more cumbersome, he or she might have some reservations at first.

What is halter training?

Halter training simply refers to the practice of guiding your dog using a halter rather than a collar. A halter is an extension of the collar with another band that wraps around your dogs torso behind the front elbows. The two collars are usually attached by one or two straps that connect with a buckle or snap, and the added extensions provide the owner with more control over the dog.

Why would you want to halter train your dog?

The most common reason for halter training a dog is for added control. When you have a large dog (or even a medium-sized dog), some people aren't able to control them with just a collar and leash. When you take a large dog on a walk, it's important that you maintain enough control to keep the dog walking with you rather than trying to pull you ahead, and halter training allows you to have more control. A large dog could pull a small person over if he or she had the motivation, and a collar is just too dangerous in some instances.

Further, halter training ensures that your dog will not be able to pull out of his or her collar. Some dogs have narrow heads and thick necks, which makes it easy for the dog to simply slip out of a collar even if it is tightly cinched. It's no fun looking for a lost pet who has escaped its collar, so a halter helps to eliminate the possibility of lost pets.

Is halter training abusive?

Absolutely not. A halter doesn't restrict your dog's movement in any way and can actually be more comfortable than a collar because the pressure isn't slowly focused around his or her neck. The buckle for the leash on a halter is usually on the connecting strap between the collar and the torso harness, which evenly distributes pressure exacted by the leash.

How do I halter train my dog?

The best way to halter train a dog is to introduce him or her to the halter first. Let your dog sniff it and even play with it a little if he or she wishes to demonstrate that it isn't a monster and isn't going to hurt him or her. Once your dog has accepted the halter, put it on and let him or her run around with it on for a while. Your dog will need to get used to the different weight and will be able to see that it doesn't impede his or her movement.

After that, you can halter train your dog the same way that you trained him or her to a leash and collar. Go for a walk and use the same commands. Stop if your dog tries to get too far ahead and emphasize that the dog needs to walk alongside of you.

If you have trouble controlling your dog or if the dog will be walked by a child or an elderly person, a halter is a practical tool to keep the dog in control.