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Head Halters and Negative Reinforcement
Some of you have been following the tales of Lenny the Wrecking Ball (⬅link here) and I want to update you on some of the work we’ve been doing.
Kate did an amazing job desensitizing Lenny to wearing a head halter (HH). Then we taught him to yield to (move with rather than against) gentle pressure in order to earn a treat. Then we planted temptations (first in the house and then in his yard) and taught him that pulling attempts would always fail but focus on his handler reliably earned him treats and sometimes permission to access the temptation. Our final ‘prep’ step was showing Lenny that unwanted behavior (attempts to lunge, jump, or grab clothes) caused us to smoothly apply upward pressure to the HH, causing his nose to point skyward (typically for 2-3 sec), and with pressure released when he physically calmed down. That is a negative reinforcement technique, rewarding the calm behavior with release of pressure.
➡Check out this video, where Jean Donaldson demonstrates the use of a head halter in this way.
At a recent lesson, we began walks in their neighborhood so I could coach them on handling Lenny when triggers appeared. We had great success and Dan is finally feeling like he can safely handle Lenny! Oh, and they also took him to a vet who specializes in behavior and he’s now on medication as well. Though it’s primarily related to separation anxiety, they’re already noticing a bit of calmness in his everyday behavior.
Are any of you using and having success with head halters with your clients?
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18 Replies
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Yes! Head halter/head collars have an important place in my tool box… and it’s critical that they are properly fit and introduced. So glad your clients took the time to do this, Virginia. For those who haven’t seen the steps for introducing a head halter, I found this little treasure. It’s probably the most relaxed dog training video I’ve ever seen. I feel like Tasha could run a meditation session… ???? But, that’s EXACTLY the energy to bring to a head halter introduction plan. Love it. Take a look.
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I’d love to watch the video you mention, but the link isn’t working @catherine .
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That’s frustrating, @virginiad – here’s the url ]and a better preview.
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Thank you – no problem viewing that now.
This is the one I use for clients. It’s extremely thorough and I tell folks to plan on doing this work for a week, to set realistic expectations. Click for video here.
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This has a lot of great steps and I love her high heel analogy. Nice find, Virginia!
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I used a gentle leader personally over 15 years ago for a dog. I would not use one today.
I do not recommend them.
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Hey Jennifer,
How come you wouldn’t recommend using a head halter?
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@Krystle87
Hi!
I appreciate your question. Getting different points of views is always best to come to ones own personal or professional decisions.
Personally and professionally I do not like the idea of purposely applying P+ to get R-.
Honestly, I cringed watching this (old) video of Jean Donaldson demonstrating “proper use”.
I also have observed pet owners who do not use them in a humane manner. It gives them more leverage to “control” that is likely hurting the dog. Some of that may be unintentional but that risk is still there. It is no different that a prong or shock collar in these situations.
This equipment may work for a specific dog and handler. I know trainers use them with taking the time to acclimate the use of. They monitor the dog for stress while conscious of not applying P+. That takes time and skill. Most clients starting off will not have these skills yet.
I do think there was research that suggested the head halter may cause physical damage under certain biomechanical conditions like reaching the end and then experiencing the sudden “jerk” or “yank”
Please keep in mind this is my opinion and experience only.
Thank you.
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Thanks for your response ???? I really appreciate your own personal opinion and feedback. I’ve been a dog walker for the last 11 years and I’ve seen many clients use equipment wrong such as e-collars, prong collars and head halters. Their intentions are to make the walks easier but with the incorrect use of equipment, they are stressing the dog out even more and causing discomfort. Over the years I’ve primarily used the front clip harness. I’m not opposed to trying other forms of equipment such as the head halter so I’m hoping as I become a dog trainer and gain more experience, I will build confidence to be able to do so. Which type of equipment do you prefer for dogs that pull on walks?
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Congrats on your quest to learn more! It is fun. I bet you have the confidence to become a dog trainer, you just have not made the commitment yet- just do it! @bernerlabreclectus is a wonderful dog walker trainer. I am sure she will have some helpful hints for you!
This is where training perspectives and real world scenarios intersect! In my world of training, I would ask, why do you think the dog is pulling? Is he sniffing things or just pulling? Pulling towards what? Some dogs who struggle with anxiety are not actually enjoying the walks and is pulling to get it over with and back home. Not fun for them or the handler who experiences the pulling.
Depending on the dog and context I may even stop walks completely. This is where training needs to happen without the dog practicing the pulling behavior. However, this is where you as a dog walker needs to walk the dog as it is your income and the client is paying, right? Clash! Are you ready to become a trainer now and offer both benefits!! ????
My typically equipment go to is either an all fabric martingale collar or a “Y” shaped front clip harness. When using the harness, I do not expect it to stop the pulling. I do not substitute equipment for training. Training typically starts inside the home.
For safety outside, I may use both, using a carabiner to connect the martingale to the front clip ring of the harness.
If the dog is a puller, I may suggest going to a Sniffspot or private, safe area where the dog can burn off energy without practicing pulling on the leash. We can safely train with no leash so the learns to be close and stay close. That is one of my perspectives as a trainer. I hope it helps you!
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I appreciate your perspective @jenz . I recommend HHs in a limited way and only if the people will put in the time to desensitize the dog to wearing one AND teach them how to yield to gentle pressure.
In Lenny’s case, he went from an unwalkable dog who posed serious risks to his owners’ (and others’) safety to a dog who is now getting to enjoy walks once again. Dan in particular rated walks with Lenny as one of the most important activities he wanted to do, and there was no other equipment that would allow him to do this safely (due to severe arthritis in his hands plus some balance issues).
For folks new to HHs, it’s also really important to counsel the owners about leash choice — ideally, a 4′ leash attached to a head halter, but certainly not longer than 6′. This way, we’re protecting the dog from being able to get a run going before reaching the end and then having a jarring impact.
A double-ended leash is even better, with one leash attached to the front ring of a harness. In this way, pressure on the HH is reserved for only the most challenging moments when power steering of the nose is needed.
I also hate the Gentle Leader brand and instead recommend other brands with side/cheek straps that allow more room in the nose loop, only tightening when pressure is applied — similar to what you see on the photo I posted.-
Thanks for taking the time to acclimate the dog and handler slowly
. As I mentioned, I know trainers who use them with extreme caution and care only. It seems like you may have had a good dog/handler scenario to help.
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Jennifer:
It is interesting you say this as I have the same perspective around head halters and have stirred some of my dog walking clients away from them with dogs that were not extreme cases and didn’t need them for the reasons you mentioned. I have enjoyed gaining perspective though from some trainers in here that have lots more experience then me on when they can be beneficial and how to properly use them. I am so grateful for this community I am learning so much.
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@Cory , it is a wonderful community and I’m so glad you’re finding it educational.
I’ve always thought, if I ever get to the point that I’m no longer learning in this field, I probably should get out! The cool thing is after 34 years in the biz, I still regularly learn new things and I do my best to remain open-minded. ????
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I love that we have a space for differing opinions. Kudos, @jenz for dissenting professionally!
I absolutely agree with most of what you said, the warnings and the potential risks. I respectfully disagree that head halters are in the same category as prongs/shocks. There is a spectrum of discomfort and pressure on a nose loop does not equate to pain and the subsequent fear & fallout. That said there are certainly dogs who find HHs really aversive and simply take far too long to acclimate or never do…. and for those dogs other equipment should be the first choice rather than putting the dog into a frequently uncomfortable situation.
That said, I’ve worked with dogs I would not otherwise have handled for my own saftey without a head halter. I’m talking about dogs who would absolutely bite without much warning and dogs who, when aroused will pivot and redirect a bite. A HH gets quick control of the head, promoting saftey for everyone. (At the shelter where I worked, a bite to a human was a death sentence.) We were able to get the dog to the place where, similar to the dog Lenny that Virginia is working with, they have more freedom and way more safety for the owners using a HH properly. Once desensitized to it and skilled in how to regulate themselves, the HH became a key part of the dog’s daily walks. Otherwise, they’d not have been able to leave the shelter, being too risky to handle.
I reach for them a lot less in practice than I used to, but I reserve them for those special cases and believe that they can be humanely used to bring a dog into a more skilled and enriching life than they otherwise would have.
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Our Mal was one of those dogs @catherine mentioned who benefitted significantly from a head halter. He knew his Gentle Leader = walks which were his preferred family bonding experience.
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What a gorgeous dog, @PerpetualCleric !
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Oh, Mal. The boy who taught me sooo much. I still have memories of that first day in puppy class. lol
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