Friday, June 20, 2014

Head Collar Comparison: Blindfolded

Head collars are a wonderful tool that can make loose leash walking almost an instant possibility for many dogs. Although it is preferable to train a dog, especially a service dog, to behave without a training aid this may be unrealistic for certain people or dogs because of physical or psychological limitations.

Several types of head collars have been developed to improve a dog handler’s control. This article will compare and evaluate seven different models all with the same relative effectiveness (Decrease Pulling & Increase Focus). Since OccuPaws trains dogs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, this article focuses on the ease with which each head collar can be Put On, Adjusted and then Removed by someone with no vision (simulated by a Black-Out Blindfold).

Canny Collar:
·        Manufactured by The Canny Company (www.cannyco.com)
·        Available in 8 Sizes and 4 Colors
·        List Price: ~$25

·        Attachment Type: Behind the Head
·        Points of Adjustment: 1 (Buckle)
·        Average Time to Put On, Adjust, & Remove: 70 seconds (1:10 min)


·        Pros:
o   Does not ride up into the dog’s eyes
o   Easy to size correctly
o   Can be converted to a Collar
o   Safe if the nose piece slides off (Can occur even if sized properly)
o   Comes with a Lifetime Guarantee
o   Fewest points of adjustment for ‘Behind the Head’ models
o   Fastest ‘Behind the Head’ model to Put On, Adjust & Remove
·        Cons:
o   Prong of buckle was difficult to locate and insert into hole without vision
o   Nose loop tends to slide off of nose when the dog is not walking and is easily pawed off if tension is not maintained in the leash - Difficult to detect removal without vision
o   Widest, most noticeable noseband

EZ-Lead:
·        Manufactured by Timberwolf Pet Products (www.timberwolfpetproducts.com/collars.htm#)
·        Available in 4 Sizes & 10 Colors
·        List Price: ~$10

·        Attachment Type: Under the Chin
·        Points of Adjustment: 1 (Cord Lock)
·        Average Time to Put On, Adjust, & Remove: 50 seconds (0:50 min)


·        Pros:
o   Made of soft braided rope to minimize chafing, pinching and discomfort
o   “Clip-On” design utilizes the dog’s existing collar
o   No possibility of becoming tangled
o   Small size makes it easy to carry in a pocket and pull-out when needed
o   Cord Lock for nose loop adjustment was easy to push and slide
o  Least expensive of all models
o   Fewest points of adjustment for ‘Under the Chin’ models
o   Fastest ‘Under the Chin’ model to Put On, Adjust & Remove
·        Cons:
o   Difficult to keep on nose if the dog’s existing collar is not properly sized
o   Moderately unsafe if the nose piece comes off

Gentle Leader®:
·        Manufactured by PetSafe (www.petsafe.net/gentleleader)
·        Available in 5 Sizes & 9 Colors
·        List Price: ~$20

·        Attachment Type: Under the Chin
·        Points of Adjustment: 2 (Neck Strap & Snap Clamp)
·        Average Time to Put On, Adjust, & Remove: 60 seconds (1:00 min)


·        Pros:
o   Does not apply pressure to the dog’s throat
o   Fairly difficult for the nose loop and neck strap to become tangled
o   Available at most US pet store chains
·        Cons:
o   The clasp under the dog’s chin was difficult to open and close without vision or with limited dexterity
o   There was a little difficulty in feeding the neck strap through the buckle to adjust it to the proper size
o   Moderately unsafe if noseband comes off (Should not occur if sized correctly)
o   Slowest ‘Under the Chin’ model to Put On, Adjust & Remove

HALTI Headcollar:
·        Manufactured by The Company of Animals (www.companyofanimals.us/products/halti/halti-headcollar)
·        Available in 6 Sizes & 4 Colors
·        List Price: ~$20

·        Attachment Type: Under the Chin
·        Points of Adjustment: 2 (Slide Adjuster & Snap Clamp)
·        Average Time to Put On, Adjust, & Remove: 55 seconds (0:55 min)


·        Pros:
o   Padded Noseband for minimal rubbing
o   On/Off closure of Muzzle to quickly stop barking or growling
o   The padding on the nose band made the nose-section easy to detect without vision
o   The neck slide adjuster slid easily making it simple and quick to adjust
o   Nose band cannot be pulled off by the dog
·        Cons:
o   There is some possibility of the neck straps becoming tangled with the nose band making it difficult to tell them apart without vision
o   Cannot be converted to a Collar
o   Most ‘muzzle-like’ in appearance

Infin8 Halter:
·        Manufactured by Black Dog Wear (www.blackdog.net.au/index.php?route=product/category&path=64_76)
·        OccuPaws is an authorized dealer of the Infin8 Halter (http://occupaws.org/buy-infin8/)
·        Available in 5 Sizes & 6 Colors
·        List Price: ~$35

·        Attachment Type: Behind the Head
·        Points of Adjustment: 3 (Slide Adjuster x 3)
·        Average Time to Put On, Adjust, & Remove: 145 seconds (2:25 min)


·        Pros:
o   Applies pressure at two locations - Across the nose and on the back of the neck
o   Can be converted to a Martingale Collar
o   Safe if the nose piece slides off (Can occur even if sized properly)
o   Easy to transition dog from using an Infin8 to a collar
·        Cons:
o   Difficult to size properly
o   Difficult to adjust nose band
o   Can twist/shift around the dog’s head (Should be minimal if sized properly) - Difficult to detect without vision
o   Most expensive of all models
o   Slowest of all models to Put On, Adjust & Remove

The Infinity Collar™ No-Pull Training Aid:
·        Manufactured by Bold Lead Designs (boldleaddesigns.com/shop/the-infinity-collar/)
·        Available in 5 Sizes & 6 Colors
·        List Price: ~$15 (Woven) or ~$35 (Leather)

·        Attachment Type: Side of the Head
·        Points of Adjustment: 1 (Adjustment Fob)
·        Average Time to Put On, Adjust, & Remove: 40 seconds (0:40 min)


·        Pros:
o   Made of soft woven, lightweight material for minimal rubbing (also available in Leather)
o   Applies pressure to both the top of the neck and under the jaw
o   Fastener-free design is great for those with limited dexterity
o   Also available as a collar and leash combo ($20)
o   Simple & Quick to adjust to the proper size
o   Only one piece so minimal risk of becoming tangled
o   Can also be worn as a ‘Behind the Head’ head collar
o   Can be converted to a Kennel Lead
o   Safe if the dog somehow removes the nose piece (Should not occur if sized correctly)
o   Fastest of all models to Put On, Adjust & Remove
·        Cons:
o   Some possibility of twisting/shifting around the dog’s head
o   Advertised sizing runs large - Order a size smaller than recommended

Sporn® Head Halter:
·        Manufactured by The Sporn Company (sporn.com/training/sporn-head-halter/)
·        Available in 4 Sizes & 1 Color
·        List Price: ~$20

·        Attachment Type: Behind the Head
·        Points of Adjustment: 3 (Slide Adjuster x 2 & Cord Lock)
·        Average Time to Put On, Adjust, & Remove: 90 seconds (1:30 min)


·        Pros:
o   Works on Extreme Pullers
o   Does not apply pressure to the dog’s face
o   Cord Lock adjustment for noseband was easy to push and slide
o   Can be worn as a Standard Collar
o   Safe if the nose piece slides off (Should not occur if sized properly)
·        Cons:
o   Bulky/Heavy design
o   Difficult to adjust the neck straps (Collar portion) – Difficult to feed strap through buckle and buckle was tough to slide
o  Leash attaches far from the dog's head


Please leave comments or ask questions.

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