Training a dog to wear a head harness (Halti)

In this video we take a look at how to train a dog to wear a head harness like a Halti. Head harnesses are a very useful anti-pull solution for very big or very strong dogs. They are also super useful in training reactive dogs, because it gives you more control over the head and orientation of the dog.

Desensitising

Most dogs don’t love wearing a head harness at first. Some are more sensitive than others to having something put on their face. So most dogs need a gradual desensitisation program so they can slowly learn to wear the harness without it aggravating them.

If a dog is aggravated by their head harness they are likely to start rubbing their face on things like your legs or the ground in an attempt to get it off.

Head Harness for behaviour training

If your dog is reactive or aggressive towards other dogs or people, a head harness will give you an extra element of control over their pointy end i.e. their mouth! This can be very useful. But unless the dog is comfortable wearing the head harness, it will not work for behaviour training because it will just stress the dog out. A dog needs to be desensitised to wearing a head harness before it can be used for control in behaviour training sessions.

A Word of Caution

A head harness is obviously attached to a dog’s head and we therefore need to be careful with lead handling to avoid causing any neck injuries. Jerking or popping the lead should be avoided in favour of gentle (but firm) fluid movements. You should be extra careful if you plan to use a long line with a head harness. Make sure you pick up any excess line between you and your dog for safety. Also, be sure to stop your dog running immediately before momentum is built up and hit the lend of the line.

A head harness is a very valuable tool. However, the training required to get your dog used to wearing one means that its only really worth if you need it for control. If you know you need one, they are TOTALLY WORTH THE EFFORT!