The collar that you are referring to is one that has a nylon band which goes around the back of the head and another nylon band that goes around the nose, similar to a horse’s halter or you might liken it to a muzzle. Some brands on the market include Gentle Leader and Halti.

Because these collars do appear somewhat similar to a muzzle, many people incorrectly assume that a dog wearing one is an aggressive dog. This is not the case. In most cases, a dog you see wearing one is a bit of a ‘puller’. These types of collars give you the best control over your dog and thus are ideal for those who like to pull against the leash. Because the leash snaps under the chin, a tug on the leash will pull your dog’s head down or to the side so that he cannot move or pull you forward. These collars actually work very well. In fact, they allow you better control and are gentler than choke or prong collars.

A lot of people are hesitant to use them because of their appearance. Since they resemble a muzzle, some consider it mean. It’s true that your dog may find it a bit foreign at first, either shaking his head or even rolling on the ground to remove it, but with a bit of practice he will get used to it. And for serious leash pullers, it’s an ideal solution. In fact, we’ve used them personally on dogs who were such pullers that it was not only unpleasant to walk them but nearly impossible. With some practice, these dogs took to the leash and could finally be walked normally and in a way that was much more pleasant for the walker.