Whatever the name, it does the same job. These look and work very similarly to the halters used for horses. If you place the halter over the back of the neck and the top of the muzzle it will fit on.  This gives you so much more control over the dogs direction and control. They are excellent devices for helping you dog and feeling confident when taking your dog out. When you put pressure on these halters they pull the dog in the direction of you the handler. The great thing about this device is that it mimics mother nature! Wolves use a similar technique with it s pack to show dominance.

Many people however, think that these halters can potentially be harmful and painful to your dog. This is because the strap can dig into the dogs face and jaw making it particularly uncomfortable.

These head halters, similarly to the full check collar, need to be used with caution. If they are used with force or pulled up rapidly they can cause neck injuries on your pets neck.

Within this category of dog collars come Wolf collars. Although not used so much nowadays, they are very useful for protecting your dog against attacks from other dogs and in the past wolves. The protect the dog from direct attack to the neck by the predator.

So whether you need to protect you pup from other animals or protect other animals from your dog, the above collars will be able to help you one way or another.

Make sure whichever collar you choose that you ensure it in comfortable for your dog. Make sure that you fit it correctly to ensure that it is not to tight which will cause rubbing or fatal neck injuries and also that it is not too loose to cause your pup slipping away in a potentially dangerous area.

A Full check dog collar quite simply tightens around the neck of your dog the more it is tightened. The tighter you pull, the tighter it gets until released. This type of collar can therefore become very dangerous for your pet if it is left tied up on its own. If this is the right type of collar for your dog, it is important to measure the collar and lead correctly for your pet and if it is too long, it will pull out your pets fur each time you pull it. To correctly measure a full check collar for your pup, you should measure the circumference of the dogs neck and add approximately 3.5 inches and set the collar to that measurement. It is not only just a problem if this is too long. If it is too short it could cause fatal injury for your dog so take care and be careful when using a full check collar. Make sure that when you are walking your dog on a full check collar that it is not permanently tight as this will just damage your dogs neck. You should be using the check and release method, which means that it is lose for the majority of the time. The collar should be fitted like an upside down p that loosens easily when released.

If you are at any time unsure about how to use these collars effectively, seek professional advice from your local vet.

What do you get if you cross a Full check Collar and a Buckle Collar? A Half Check Collar. This type of collar is suitable for most dogs. It is actually safer than both a buckle collar and a full check collar.  Many half check collars have a release clip at the side of them which is particularly useful for walks in the park where you want to release your dog quickly.

It is important with all types of collars that the dog is not tight around your dogs neck for long as it can cause long term neck problems. The only reason for the check collars is to teach your dog to heel.

So once your dog is heeling correctly and without too much assistance, it is time for you to move through to a flat collar also known as a buckle collar.  There are many varieties of buckle or flat collar such as size, colour and fabric. Make sure you check out the fabric properly as some polyester type collars can really irritate your pet.

So, start with a full check collar but use it with care being sure not to damage your dogs neck, then move onto a half check collar, ideally with a release clip. Finally if your dog is well trained you can then think about a buckle collar.