The hottest rage in the dog collar industry is head collars, also called “gentle leaders.” These are not muzzles. A muzzle is a mesh cup that fits over a dog’s nose. It is attached to his head with a strap behind his ears. A muzzle completely covers the dog’s nose and mouth. He cannot drink, bark or bite. It is never attached to a leash, or used as a training aid. A “gentle leader” or halter lets the dog pant, drink and bark and yes, even bite. It is used as a training aid and they work wonderfully. Essentially, the “gentle leader puts steady but pressure on the back or your dog’s neck (scruff,) which is the way his mother would discipline him. Pressure at the scruff of the neck and the muzzle is a correction and leadership method that your dog understands perfectly. Another type of head collar is called a “Promise Halter.” These are very similar to the gentle leader and are perfectly safe for your dog.
Electronic Collars
Electronic collars are a source of debate. They give your dog a static shock or blast of citronella spray. They are sometimes used to stop excessive barking. With some, the blast or shock is triggered when your dog barks. Others are operated manually – you have to administer the blast or shock. There are also shock collars that confine dogs to a specific area. If he tries to overstep the boundary, he gets a shock. One type of such a devise is called an “Invisible Fence.” Though these collars can, and do, have their place in dog training and control, they won’t help your dog to learn to behave on a leash.
Prong and Pinch Collars
Prong and pinch collars are used to handle dogs that are very hard to control. The prong collar lies flat on your dog’s neck until he pulls or you give a correction. Pressure from either your dog pulling or from you giving a correction, cause blunt metal prongs to poke into the dog’s neck. Never use a prong or pinch collar without the supervision of a professional dog trainer. Trainers use these only when all other methods fail, and then for only a short period of time. If you use one of these collars incorrectly, it will cause your dog to become very aggressive. This can result in him biting or attacking someone, which could mean that he will have to be put down.