Q: Is it ever okay to remove a head
collar when socializing or training?
A: If your leader or advisor fits the puppy with a head collar, it should
be used anytime the lead is attached to the dog. We want the dog to manage
his behavior–not his equipment.
Q: Is it okay to switch back and forth from head collar to flat
collar when socializing or training?
A: No. Once a head collar is fitted it should be used every time the
lead is attached to the dog. The dog should learn to manage his behavior,
not his collar. Removing it once he is on “good behavior” only teaches him
that the collar is uncomfortable, and is thought of more as a punishment,
and can actually make the behavior worse in the long run. Please note that
it is not a punishment, just another training tool.
Q: Should the dog wear the head collar 24 hours a day?
A: The head collar is only worn with a leash or in the introduction
phase. When getting the dog used to it, the head collar can be worn during
feeding and play to keep the pup’s mind off of it.
Q: Should the head collar be left on when the dog is relaxing
at home, basically unsupervised?
A: Head collars should be removed if the dog is unsupervised. It can
be easily hung up and cause injury.
Q: Is it safe to leave the head collar on the dog when the dog
is left alone in its kennel for a period of time?
A: No. The head collar should be removed when the dog is in its kennel,
again, for safety.
MORE ABOUT
THE HEADCOLLAR
From Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
A headcollar is a piece of training equipment that fits on a dog's head
and muzzle. 'Headcollar' is a generic term for this type of equipment and
there are two brand names of products that Guide Dogs for the Blind routinely
uses–the Halti and the Gentle Leader. It is appropriate to call either of
these pieces of equipment by the generic term, ‘headcollar’ or, depending
on the brand a puppy is fitted with, it may be called by the brand name. The
idea is simple; where the head goes the body will follow. Headcollars are
used for gentle control of a puppy or dog, and should be looked upon as just
another ‘tool’ available to raisers. Imagine leading a horse by a collar
around its neck; the horse would simply drag you where it wanted you to go!
By having control of the horses’ head, you control its body. The same thing
applies for dogs.All Guide Dogs are introduced and worked in a headcollar
at some point prior to being placed as a working guide. Depending on the needs
of the individual dog or handler, it may be the best equipment for a working
guide to use. It is beneficial, but not a necessity, for puppies to be accustomed
to the headcollar before they return for formal training.
Who should use a headcollar and at what age should the puppy be introduced
to one?
Leaders and Advisors will help make the decision if a headcollar would
be an appropriate piece of equipment for an individual puppy. Puppies can
be introduced to a headcollar at any age. Even pups as young as 8 or 10
weeks may benefit from this type of equipment. Fitting a headcollar properly
can be challenging. Unless you have a proper fit, you will not get the best
use out of the equipment and the puppy may be uncomfortable. The Halti and
Gentle Leader fit and work slightly differently. This is one of the reasons
why it is important for Leaders and Advisors to be the ones that place the
equipment on the puppy.
Safety first!
Next to proper fit, the use of a “safety” collar is an important factor
for using a headcollar. A nylon slip collar is used as a backup safety collar
with all headcollars. Sometimes, a clever puppy will learn how to wiggle
out of his headcollar, or slip it off over his nose. The safety collar will
enable you to hold onto the pup if this should occur. The slip collar is
not used to correct the dog and the lead should never be attached only to
it. The safety collar, like the headcollar will never be left on an unattended
dog.
"No, my puppy is not wearing a muzzle."
This will be a common phrase the handler of a puppy wearing a headcollar
will find himself or herself saying! While the collar does fit over the
puppy's muzzle, the puppy can still open and close its mouth, pant, eat
and drink. The general public is getting used to seeing this type of equipment.
On dogs, but many people do think it is a muzzle and will question the handler
about the equipment. Guide Dogs produces a card that explains this and raisers
should have some on hand to provide education to the public.
Introducing the headcollar.
After a Leader or Advisor fits a puppy with his new headcollar, the first
few days are spent getting used to the new equipment. Some puppies take
to the new feel right away and others need a little more time. Let the puppy
wear the headcollar around the house when its mind is on something other
than this new sensation. Feed the puppy, play with it or do puppy-handling
exercises. Do not coddle the puppy or baby it; be matter-of-fact and upbeat
and the pup will be more accepting. If the puppy rubs or paws at his face,
give him a pop on his flat collar and distract him with some other activity.
Increase the amount of time the puppy spends wearing the collar each day.
It should not take more than a week, at the very most, for a puppy to adjust
to the collar and be able to concentrate on his work again. At this time,
you should meet with your Leader or Advisor to show you how to attach the
lead and use the headcollar correctly.
When should a puppy wear its headcollar?
Once the raiser has been shown how to use the headcollar the puppy should
continue to wear it every time he is attached to the lead and a handler
has hold of the lead. Raisers should not take the collar on and off or use
the flat collar in low distractions and the headcollar for more challenging
ones. This gives the puppy the wrong idea! We want the puppy to learn to
control his behavior, not his equipment. You will loose training ground
if the puppy realizes that it will only be placed in the headcollar if it
misbehaves or becomes excited. Generally speaking, once a headcollar is
placed on a puppy, the puppy will use this equipment for at least 3 months
before being evaluated and considered changing the primary equipment. The
Leader or Advisor will discuss this with you when, and if, the time is appropriate.
The puppy should never be left unattended in a headcollar or safety
collar!
This includes, in its crate in a kennel run or fenced yard or on a tie
down. The collars could get hung up on something and injure the puppy or
the puppy may learn how to remove it or chew it. The headcollar is a piece
of training equipment and should be used for active training. You may remove
the headcollar if the puppy is in a situation where you are not able to
see its face and the puppy may be quietly removing or chewing the equipment.
An example of a situation such as this is under a dark table in a restaurant.
If the puppy can behave in this situation and you cannot directly supervise
it to prevent it from removing or chewing the collar, it would be appropriate
to slip the lead onto the flat collar and remove the headcollar. Remember
to reattach your equipment before leaving the table and walking through
the crowd! If the puppy cannot control its self without the headcollar in
this type of situation, then the puppy should not go to this type of outing.
Good control is essential for a Guide Dog puppy; by using the appropriate
equipment, it will help make the puppy more successful and your job easier!
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