This is one of the most common problems dog owners have. It is stressful and can make walking your dog no longer enjoyable eventually becoming a nightmare scenario! There is nothing worse than being towed along with your pooch darting from side to side whilst you gamely try to hang on and keep control!

I have set out in my clicker training information section how to use the clicker to modify this behaviour and it does work. However, it is time consuming and you need patience and perseverance. Something a lot of us do not have! Further most folk these days lead very busy lives and therefore time is not always available!

However, there is an easier solution. For some reason many folk do not like to take this option. That option is a head collar. Perhaps you think it looks too much like a muzzle or it means defeat of some kind on your part. Nonsense.

A head collar can be the salvation of many dog/human partnerships. It can make walking the pleasure it should be and it works instantly.

What about choke chains then or harnesses? Choke chains usually achieve nothing and some harnesses can make a dog pull even harder. However, there are some that may suit your dog and you may want to look at the ones supplied by www.kumfi.com.

There are two very good head collars on the market. The Gentle Leader available from Crosskeys Books and most pet shops or the Dogalter also available from www.kumfi.com

I have recently recommended the latter to several people who were at their wits end with their dogs behaviour when out walking and they have all been amazed with the results!

Obviously some dogs will object initially to this being put on and used but if you take no nonsense they will soon accept it. On no account take it off while they are objecting but rather coax your pooch along using food as a bribe and reassuring words of encouragement if necessary. Try it indoors first, leaving on for a few minutes and then removing when the dog is calm.

Head collars are just extensions of normal collars. If you have control of the head then you have control of the rest of the body.

They can also be a useful tool if your dog can be aggressive towards other dogs when out walking. When approaching another animal you can turn dogs head away so that they cannot make eye contact with the oncoming dog and this can help them pass without challenging. However, avoidance is always the best policy and walking around them at a distance can also avoid confrontation. You will always get those unenlightened dog owners who usually have very little control over their own pooches and allow them to dash up off the lead and jump all over your animal who is on lead!

When mayhem occurs they always give the same old excuse he/she only wanted to play! When their own dog then gets a nasty nip they wonder why! I digress! Back to my original subject. Head collars can be the answer for many dog owners and I would suggest that you give them a try. If it is going to make your life easier and your relationship with your dog better, why not!