The Best Dog Head Halter for 2022 – Reviewed and Ranked

Key Points:

• If your dog tends to pull while on the lead, a halter collar could be the solution.
• Head halters from established brands have proven to be most effective and affordable.
• The downside of head halters is that they are annoying to most dogs at first. To help with this, find a halter that is comfortable with a padded nose strap. Your dog should be able to see, sniff, and eat while wearing the halter.
• Durability is a must for a head halter because it will go through wear and tear daily. Find one made of leather or nylon with strong hardware.
• Find a dog head halter that will get the job done! You should be able to lead your dog without him pulling, and it should fit comfortably without slipping off.

Pulling on the lead is one of the most common behavioral issues that dog owners complain about. Not only is it embarrassing, but pulling, lunging and jumping could potentially cause injury to both you and your dog. This is a bad habit that needs to be addressed quickly.

Breeds with a particularly high prey drive such as the Spaniel are prone to this behavior. It’s even more of a problem if your dog is also from a large breed such as the Husky or Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Halter collars are a very useful tool for dealing with this undesirable behavior. They fit around your dog’s neck and muzzle and allow you to gently guide their attention back to you. The pressure is transferred to the back of the neck which avoids the choking and gagging that can happen with some other collars.

We have assessed the features of many halter collars so that we could present the best in terms of comfort, fit, ease of putting on and off, and durability. We have options for smaller dogs, dogs who are very powerful pullers, and even an ultra-chic option for pups who need to look their best at all times!

A-Z-Animals Top Pick For Dog Head Halter

Choosing the Best Head Halter for Dogs: What to Look For

A head halter is an important training device so it is vital that you get one that will suit your dog and match up with your training goals. You need to think about price, comfort, durability, and effectiveness. Here we dive into the details of all four of these factors.

Price

Getting a dog can be an expensive venture. Soon the cost of everything that you need can mount up. However, this is one area where you should spend as much as you can. A premium head halter from an established brand is likely to be more comfortable and therefore more effective than a cheaper product.

Comfort

Most dogs dislike halter collars to begin with. They will try to get them off and this can ruin your walk. The more comfortable the halter, the quicker they will get used to it. Look for padded nose bands, a sung fit and a design that does not ride up their nose and get into their eyes. Your dog should be able to eat, drink and bark with no problems when they are wearing the head halter.

Durability

The halter needs to be made of strong materials because it will be put on and taken off several times a day. It will also have to withstand the pressure of your dog moving their head and neck. Look for head halters that are made from strong nylon or leather with metal or durable plastic hardware.

Effectiveness

They must work! The design must allow you to lead your dog’s head in the direction that you want them to go. It must also be difficult for your dog to get them off, no matter how hard they try! You can get head halters that fit to a leash under the chin or at the back of the neck and this is a matter of preference for the dog owner.

The Different Types of Head Halter for Dogs: Pros and Cons Compared

The various brands of dog head halters have a very similar design. There all have one loop that fits around your dog’s muzzle and another that fits around their neck. However, there are two ways of attaching to a leash. This is important because they have important pros and cons in terms of effectiveness and safety. The two options are under-chin fixing or rear-head fixing.

Under chin

Rear-head

Our Criteria: How We Chose The Best

We know how frustrating it can be to have a dog who constantly pulls while on walks. So, we found dog halter collars that are comfortably soft, easy-to-use, and waterproof. We prefer halters that stay in place instead of sliding into our dog’s eyes or too close their noses.

The most concerning issue surrounding the use of halter collars is safety. Prospective purchasers are concerned that they could slip off leaving their dog unrestrained. These concerns appear to be justified as several users have reported incidents where the halter has slipped off or their dog has pushed it off with their paw. One customer described several “near escape incidents” that could have resulted in injury.

However, when the halter collars are used WITH another method of restraint, they have proved both safe and highly effective. You will need a harness or a regular collar and a leash to be used with the halter collar.

Correct fitting is another recurring theme in the reviews. It is important to get the measurements right and to adjust the halter when it is on your dog as it may get looser as it is worn for longer periods.

Don’t expect your dog to take to it immediately. As one owner puts it “At first, she would do her best to get this thing off: roll in the grass, rub her snout against anything she sees, or try to pull it off with her paws.” This is a common experience amongst most dog owners but the advice is to stick with it and follow a training regime where you reward your dog for keeping the collar on. Within a week or so they get used to it.

Once these teething problems are rectified, the halters have completely changed dog owners’ lives and made walks a lot more pleasant. Owners of a wide variety of breeds describe dogs that have “completely stopped them from pulling” and “like walking a cloud” which will be music to the ears of stressed dog owners who are used to being dragged around the neighborhood.

#1 Overall Best Dog Head Halter: Halti Head Collar

In our review, the overall best dog head halter is the Halti Head Collar which is available for all sizes of breeds. We chose it because it has clearly been designed by dog experts and has an enhanced no-pull configuration making it one of the most effective ‘no pull’ products on the market.

Most of its strengths lie in the design features that make your dog want to wear it – or at least make them able to tolerate it.

The design is lightweight with substantial neopropane padding on the noseband which dogs like. The design also gives the noseband stability which stops it from riding up into your dog’s eyes which is very off-putting. It even has a reflective strip for safe walks in low light conditions.

Overall Best

Halti Nylon Dog Headcollar

• Designed by dog experts
• One of the most effective ‘no pull’ products available
• Design is lightweight
• Comes with neopropane padding on the noseband

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#2 Overall Best Head Halter for Small Dogs: PetSafe Gentle Leader

An animal behaviorist designed the Petsafe Gentle Leader, our overall best pick for dog head halters, more than three decades ago and they have been used successfully ever since. The smallest size is the Petit which is suitable for dogs with a 6 inch to 8.5-inch neck and who weigh less than five pounds so small dogs can also get all the benefits.

They will appreciate the neoprene padding on the nose loop which keeps small noses comfortable. Also, the nose loop has a custom fit that suits its smaller dimensions. The quick snap buckle makes it very quick to put it on your little furry friend and the halter is waterproof for walks in the rain. Because it’s available in eight adorable colors, you will find one to suit your dog’s style!

Best for Small Dogs

PetSafe Gentle Leader Padded No Pull Dog Headcollar

• Designed by an animal behaviorist
• Comes with neoprene padding on the nose loop
• The quick snap buckle makes it very quick to put it
• Available in eight adorable colors

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#3 Best Head Halter For Tough Pullers: Sporn Head Control Collar

If your dog has resisted all attempts to stop them from pulling and is pulling very badly on the leash, the Sporn Head Control Collar gives you the best chance of reversing the behavior. It’s recommended for breeds that are known for leash pulling including Cocker Spaniels and Labradors.

Because it provides immediate correction, you are in control. It’s easy to put on, comfortable, and will not ride up into your dog’s eyes. It has been recommended by vets and comes with a lifetime guarantee. If you don’t need it as a head halter any longer, it converts into a regular collar giving excellent value for money.

Best For Tough Pullers

Sporn Head Control Dog Halter

• Perfect for dogs that are pulling very badly on the leash
• Provides immediate correction
• Comfortable and easy to put on
• Recommended by vets

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#4 Best Head Halter for Stylish Pooches: PetSafe Gentle Leader Chic Head Collar

Even the most stylish pooches can sometimes pull on the leash. If you need an ultra-chic head halter you can’t go wrong with the PetSafe Gentle Leader Chic Head Collar. It’s a fashion statement and a training device all in one. It comes in two bright and colorful designs – poppies or doughnuts.

Don’t let the beautiful colors deceive you, this head halter is as effective as all the others in our review. It features a comfortable nose loop, a neck strap, a quick snap buckle to secure it in place, and a strong O ring that attaches securely to a leash. It even comes with a training DVD to help you get the most out of your new collar.

Best for Stylish Pooches

PetSafe Gentle Leader Chic Padded Dog Headcollar & Leash

• Ultra-chic design
• Features a comfortable nose loop
• The quick snap buckle secure it in place
• Comes with a training DVD

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#5 Best Rear Fixing Head Halter for Dogs: Perfect Pace Leather Halter

If you prefer the idea of a rear-fixing head halter for your dog, the Perfect Pace Leather Halter is our recommended option. This stylish halter comes in two sizes and attaches to a leash via a ring located behind the head.

Leather is a natural and durable material that gets softer with use. These head halters are very popular amongst service dogs and it loops around the whole head making a figure eight under the chin. It’s comfortable and lightweight and there are no snaps or buckles to worry about.

Best Rear Fixing

Perfect Pace Leather Halter

• Attaches to a leash via a ring located behind the head
• Comfortable and lightweight 
• Very popular for service dogs
• No snaps or buckles to worry about.

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Summary of the Best Dog Head Halters

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