Spend at least one to two weeks acclimating your dog to the Halti or Gentle Leader collar. Remember the rule that only POSITIVE things must happen in relation to introducing new things to your dog. (Read my crate training article please.)

The Halti Collar or GL must fit snugly, only one finger should be able to fit under the portion of the collar that snaps or buckles behind the ears. The nose portion of the halter should NOT lie closer than ½ inch to the eyes. On a GL the clip should be tightened up under the chin, so that again, the one finger fits in. The Halti self adjusts IF you buy the correct size.

1. Place the collar over your hand, while  holding in that hand a treat (fairly small treat).

2. Go to the pup and offer the treat, then feed it, while saying “collar!” in a happy sweet voice.

3. Place another treat in your hand, and again offer it while saying “Collar!” in that happy sweet baby voice, once again. As the pup reaches for the treat let his lips touch it while simultaneously slipping the halter over the pups face.

4. This time while the pup is munching away on the cookie, finish fitting the collar and snap it closed.

5. Once the head halter is on, distract the pup from worrying at the Halti/GL by playing with, him  using his favorite toys -the  ones he'll do ANYTHING for, tennis ball, frisbee, whatever, but attach no leash to the collar. Once he has ignored the collar for at least 2-3 minutes, remove it and continue to play for a few minutes. For the first week do this several times a day, ONLY playing with the pup while he's wearing the Halti.

6. Once he is able to be distracted for up to 5 minutes without scratching at the collar, attach a leash and again PLAY with the pup while he is wearing both halter and lead. Again, detach it once he relaxes for a few minutes, continuing play. Continue this for as long as needed till attaching both Halti and lead causes minimal reaction.

7. At this point begin luring the pup with treats once the Halti and lead are on, using your recall and guide the pup to you using the leash as little as possible.

Continue to work with your pup, making the Halti wearing as pleasant as possible.  As time progresses, the pup will accept the Halti as easily as it accepts and everyday buckle collar. Only once you are at this point in the acclimation, may you begin to take short trips out of doors on walks gradually building to everday use. The PRIMARY purpose for this collar is to help you get, and keep your dogs attention while teaching him various excercises, not as a SUBSTITUTE for training manners and proper behavior.

I use a European or Traffic Lead when training with Gentle Leaders or Halti Collars. The leash has a clip on each end, one is clipped to the Halti ring and the other is clipped to the dogs regular collar. My reason for doing this is that some dogs (escape artists) can slip a halter type collar. The double leashing is simply an insurance policy to keep the dog from escaping and possibly being hurt.

Using lure and reward type training, and/or clicker training will only increase the effectiveness of the Halti or GL, and simultaneously, your training FUN!

Be SURE not to ever yank the dogs head away from the direction in which he is heading, nor should you ever let the dog run to the end of the leash forcefully while using this collar! Always use a gentle pull in your direction along with a food lure. This will help prevent vertebral damage in your dogs neck and upper back.