Why Head Collars and Figure-of-8 Leads Do More Harm Than Good
- Stevie
- Oct 13
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever struggled with your dog dragging you down the street, you’ve probably come across “quick fixes” like head collars, figure-of-8 leads, or “gentle leaders”. These products promise to stop your dog pulling instantly — no training needed. Sounds perfect, right?
But if something sounds too good to be true… it usually is. And now a huge study has been released to prove what dog trainers and behaviourists were already seeing with dogs that were wearing head collars - they were much more likely to exhibit anxiety and reactive behaviours due to the discomfort and restriction of these 'gentle leaders'... (Cavalli & Protopopova, 2025). We talk more in depth about this study, and why harnesses are always best, in a blog coming very soon.
A Bit of History
Head collars were first designed in the 1980s — not for dogs, but for horses. Over time, they were adapted and marketed for dogs under names like Gentle Leader Head Collar or Halti Head Collar. The idea was simple: by controlling the head, you control the dog.
The problem? Dogs are not horses. And in 2021 a startling study was published where head collars were the direct cause of death for 167 horses, with many more injured and suffering life long injuries (Marlin et al., 2021). But they're fine on your dog... right?
The Image Test
Try this:
Search for “dog head collar” and look closely at the dogs’ faces. What do you see?
Now search for “dog harness”.
The difference is striking. Dogs wearing head collars often look tense, shut down, or stressed. Dogs in well-fitted harnesses? Relaxed and ready to explore.
That emotional state matters. Walks should be about joy, not discomfort.
Why We Understand the Appeal
When you imagined getting a dog, you probably pictured calm, happy walks — not being pulled down the road like a water-skier. And when your shoulder aches and your patience runs thin, a tool that promises to “stop pulling instantly” can feel like a lifeline.
Head collars are easy to buy. They’re sold in pet shops, online, and even used by some vet clinics. They look soft. They come in nice colours. They’re marketed as “gentle.”
But here’s the truth: they’re not gentle at all.
What’s Happening Beneath the Surface
Dogs experience the world through their nose. Their sense of smell is up to 100,000 times stronger than ours. Their nasal structure is complex and delicate:
Nasal turbinates warm, filter and humidify air.
The vomeronasal organ (or Jacobson’s organ) detects pheromones and requires free jaw movement.
The olfactory bulb processes scent signals that shape how a dog understands their world.
When a figure-of-8 lead or head collar tightens across the nose and muzzle, it can crush or restrict these structures, interfering with breathing, smelling, and communication.
And it doesn’t stop there. Pressure on the neck can cause:
Increased intraocular pressure (which can lead to serious eye conditions or even blindness).
Nerve damage around the muzzle and face, causing chronic pain and sensitivity.
Tracheal and laryngeal injuries from pressure on the throat.
Spinal injuries when dogs lunge forward and their heads snap back.
And this is just the physical problems a head collar can cause. More studies are being published linking the restriction of head collars to increased anxiety and reactivity in dogs wearing them.
At Pluto’s Pet Care + Training Support®️, we’ve supported multiple dogs who suffered permanent nerve damage from head collars and figure-of-8 leads. Many now require lifelong pain management.
But It’s Not Your Fault
If you’ve used a head collar or figure-of-8 lead, you’re not to blame. Pet parents are often left to figure things out alone in a world where equipment isn’t properly regulated and marketing can be misleading.
You deserve access to honest, science-based information — and your dog deserves comfortable, joyful walks.
A Kinder, Safer Way to Stop Pulling
Instead of relying on restrictive tools, the real solution is teaching your dog loose lead walking through positive reinforcement and the right equipment.
✅ Well-fitted harness (no pressure on the face or neck)
✅ Reward-based training that builds communication and trust
✅ Understanding your dog’s needs — letting them sniff, explore, and decompress
Loose lead walking isn’t a quick fix, but it is a lasting and safe one.
Final Thought
Companies that make head collars know the risks — and now, so do you. Ask yourself: if there’s a kinder, safer, and more effective way to walk your dog, why settle for a shortcut that could harm them?
Your dog deserves walks filled with joy, not discomfort. And you deserve walks without pain, guilt, or pulled shoulders.
👉 If you’d like support teaching your dog to walk calmly on a loose lead, we can help.
Book a session with Pluto’s Pet Care + Training Support®️ to start building better walks today.
References
Ancol weatherproof nylon dog training halter head collar - black - sturdy pulling control pet walking accessory - large Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies
Buzek, A. et al. (2022) ‘The shape of the nasal cavity and adaptations to sniffing in the dog (canis familiaris) compared to other domesticated mammals: A review article’, Animals, 12(4), p. 517. doi:10.3390/ani12040517.
Cavalli, C. and Protopopova, A. (2025) ‘Review of collars, harnesses, and head collars for walking dogs’, Animals, 15(15), p. 2162. doi:10.3390/ani15152162.
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