The Sporn Dog Training Halter

I began searching for a dog training halter when I was yanked to the ground by our dog Holly during one of our walks. An aggressive puller like our dog can not be controlled by a simple leash. After looking at many dog training halters, I purchased the Sporn Dog Training Halter.

Joseph S. Sporn designed this dog training halter so that the dog is not controlled through her head and neck. Instead Sporn placed the tension control in the very sensitive area located in the "arm pits" of the dog's front legs.

The part of the halter that slips over the dog's head and around her neck is made of one-inch wide heavy duty nylon webbing. This collar has two nickel-plated steel D-rings in the center front and a two inch diamond-shaped plate made of the same material that rests on the back of the dog's neck. The collar is threaded through slits in this plate. Both sides of the collar have thermoplastic tri-bar adjusters so that the collar may be tightened to fit.

The restraint part of the Sporn Dog Training Halter comes from a half-inch wide braided flat cord which is looped through a one-inch diameter ring to which the leash may be attached, then through a thermoplastic toggle, and finally through the diamond-shaped plate of the collar. The sliding toggle allows the cord to be snugged up under the dog's 'arm pits'. Both ends of the cord are finished with swivel hooks that attach to the D-rings at the front of the collar. Sherpa sleeve tubes fit over the cord to protect the dog from irritation from the swivel hooks and cord rubbing on her underarms.

The Sporn Dog Training Halter fits dogs with necks measuring 9 to 33 inches. When purchasing one of these training halters, it is imperative that you measure your dog's neck and choose the right size. The Sporn Dog Training Halter comes in blue, red, or black. You may expect to pay between fifteen to thirty dollars depending upon where you shop. I found our training halter on eBay, but many other online pet supply stores carry the Sporn brand.

When first using the Sporn Dog Training Halter, you may be a bit confused as to how to put it on your dog. Learning to do this does take some time. To put the dog training halter on my dog, I make sure the part of the diamond-shaped plate through which the braided cord passes is facing her tail. I grip either side of the collar with its corresponding sherpa-covered restraint and pass it over the dog's head. Then I gently lift each of her legs one at a time through the restraints so that the sherpa sleeve is positioned under her 'arm pits'. Then I tighten down the toggle until the collar and restraints are snug.

I do not bother unhooking the cord from the D-rings at the front of the collar when I take the halter off our dog. Instead I move the toggle adjuster all the way to the metal ring so that the sleeves droop, then lift Holly's paws up and through the sleeves. Then I can remove the collar from her by sliding it over her head and off.

I have noticed that if the swivel hooks are not covered by the sherpa sleeves, Holly develops some nasty raw sores in time where the hooks have rubbed. Holly is a short-haired dog and I am not sure if a long-haired dog would have the same problems. Perhaps the longer fur would prevent the irritation.

Many dog trainers and veterinarians have recommended the Sporn Training Halter as a humane training device for dogs. With an ordinary collar and leash, an aggressive pulling dog will choke and possibly injure the larynx, trachea, neck, or head if he lunges. This does not happen when the leash attaches to the training halter between the dog's shoulders.

The Sporn Dog Training Halter has not trained Holly to stop pulling altogether but it has given me greater control over her movements. When I hold her to one side when walking, she does not cut in front and trip me. Any pull on the leash seems to exert enough tension to her underarms that she knows she must adjust what she is doing. The difference between walking her with a leash alone or the leash used in conjunction with the Sporn Dog Training Halter is noticeable.

Whenever I hold up the dog training halter, my dog gets excited and puts her own head into the collar. Believe me, she does not get as excited when I hold up her leash. She has come to know that the training halter means we will be taking a walk, but the leash means she will be put on her leader in the yard.

Thanks to the Sporn Dog Training Halter, I can walk my dog without the fear of having my arm pulled violently or being dragged belly down on the ground.