HALTI – Optifit Head Collar

HALTI – Optifit Head Collar

If your dog is prone to pulling on the lead, the Halti Optifit Head collar is exactly what you’re looking for. Designed to provide an optimal fit, it can be adjusted to fit your dog’s face.

Unlike traditional dog head collars, the Halti Optifit Headcollar has an adjustable noseband and cheek straps to ensure it fits a wide range of nose shapes. However, this design is not suitable for flat-nosed dogs.

The adjustable Halti Optifit Headcollar is designed to be comfortable while in use – with a cushioned noseband and reflective cheek straps that allow for visibility in low light.

The Halti Optifit Headcollar provides complete peace of mind. A strong safety clip on the front attaches to your dog’s collar during walks to keep you in control at all times.

For better no pull walking and training, pair with the Halti Training Lead. This dual-clip lead can attach to both the Optifit Head collar and your dog’s walking collar for improved control and easier training.

The HALTI OPTIFIT Head Collar come in the following sizes:

Small:     Neck Circumference 24cm – 40cm (9.5″ – 15.5″). Nose Circumference 14cm – 24cm (5.5″ – 9.5″)

Medium: Neck Circumference 42cm – 54cm (16.5″ – 21″).  Nose Circumference 22cm – 32cm (8.75″ – 12.5″)

Large:     Neck Circumference 48cm – 64cm (19″ – 25″).     Nose Circumference 28cm – 32cm (11″ – 12.5″)

How to Fit and Get Started with No-Pull Training

How to fit and get started with the Halti Optifit Headcollar

Step 1: To select the right size headcollar for your dog, we always recommend measuring your dog’s neck and nose circumference and then referring to our sizing guides.

Initially your dog may object to wearing the headcollar, so it is important to introduce the headcollar to your dog slowly and ensure there is a positive association with it. Show them the headcollar and if they come forward to investigate it, verbally praise them and give a food treat. Hold the head collar at the top of the noseband in one hand and with a food treat in the other hand, lure your dog’s nose through the loop and allow them to eat the treat. Once your dog is relaxed about doing this, gently place the noseband across their nose and give another treat. Gradually extend the amount of time your dog has the noseband on their nose before releasing the treat.

Tip: Keep the hand that is holding the noseband still and only move the hand that you are luring with.

How to fit and get started with the Halti Optifit Headcollar

Step 2: Once accepted, you can secure the neck strap so that it is snug, but not too tight (see step 3 for further guidance). Remember to continue to treat your dog whilst wearing the head collar. When you remove it, be offhand for the first few moments, so that all the praise comes whilst wearing the headcollar.

Repeats these steps, steadily increasing the time the head collar is on the dog.

Step 3: Use the slider to adjust the neck strap fit, you should be able to get 1-2 fingers between the strap and your dog’s neck. The noseband should sit halfway down the nose, away from the eyes. Then adjust the camlock under the dog’s jaw so that the dog cannot slip out of the head collar, whilst being loose enough to allow them to open their mouth fully.

Step 4: Attach the headcollar safety link to your dog’s collar.

Step 5: We always recommend using a Halti double clip Training Lead for the best no-pull training experience. Attach the small clip on your lead to the ring under your dog’s jaw and attach the larger clip on your lead to your dog’s collar or harness.

Step 6: Take your dog to a quiet place and whilst holding the lead with both hands practice walking around using the headcollar. You should only engage the headcollar by gently pulling on the lead connected to the ring under their chin when your dog is actually pulling. Its unique patented design works by gently steering the dog’s head in the direction the owner wants to go in because by pointing the head in the desired direction the body has to follow. Continue to reward your dog when they are walking without pulling.

In the early stages of no-pull training, you may notice your dog trying to remove the head collar if they are not fully acclimatised to wearing it. Be sure to distract your dog from doing this with treats or their favourite toy. This will reinforce the positive association and experience with using a headcollar.

The manufacturer provides the following answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs):

What is the right product size for my dog ?

To determine which size is best for your furry friend, please refer to the fitting guide on this product page.

How to I do a acclimatise my dog to wearing a no pull headcollar?

Its important to remember that for your dog having a new training aid on their head / face will feel unusual for your dog and it is perfectly normal reaction for them to try and remove it. We encourage you to help your dog acclimatise to the head collar by using positive associations methods. This can be through using treats to encourage your dog to place their nose into the headcollar and then placing on your dog for a few seconds, then taking the headcollar off and rewarding immediately. Build up slowly to give your dog time to adjust. If your dog is trying to take the headcollar off, try to distract them with a treat or their favourite toy to prevent this behaviour.

How can I optimise the success of using a Halti no-pull product?

It important with all training to be patient and consistent. As soon as your dog starts to pull, come to a halt. Only move forward again when the lead is slack. Reward success early on, by regularly treating your dog when they not pulling on the lead as this will encourage nice walking. For an extra helping hand we recommend using the Halti Training Lead with your Halti Head collar or Harness so that you have more control when walking your dog.

How long can I keep a headcollar or harness on my dog ?

We do not recommend leaving any type of body worn training aid on your dog for long periods of time and dogs should never be left unattended wearing products like headcollars, harnesses, and muzzles. This is from a safety and welfare perspective as well as there is a high possibility your dog may try to remove and chew the product.

From what age can my dog use a Halti Optifit Headcollar?

We do not recommend using the Halti Headcollar, Optifit Head collar, Front Control Harness or Halti No Pull Harness on dogs below the age of 9 months old. For dogs younger than this we recommend the Halti Walking Harness combined with a Halti Training Lead or Halti Walking Double Ended Lead. Halti Training Leads can be used for dogs of any age.