Product Review: Holt Head Collar

This Holt Head Collar is often sold under the Top Paw and Walk n' Train brands. It features an adjustable slide lock on the bottom of the noseband, foam padding on the top of the noseband, and a safety strap that connects to the dog's regular collar. This collar is currently available in four colors, including pink!

Photo by Erin Koski

I picked this head halter up at a thrift store for less than a dollar, assuming it to be another Halti knockoff. As it turns out, this Holt collar has a couple of features that the Halti lacks.

You can't really tell from the picture, but the inside of the noseband is padded with foam. This seems to make it rub less on the top of the muzzle, and also provides a little bit of shock absorption if the dog makes a sudden move.

One of the big features of the Gentle Leader headcollar is the slide lock on the noseband that limits how wide it can open. There is nothing to limit the noseband on the Halti, however it does have cheekpieces that help keep the band in place. The Walk & Train head halter offers the best of both worlds, with cheekpieces to help hold the noseband in place, and a slidelock that can limit how far it opens.

Pros: More comfortable than other head halters we've tried. Padded noseband comes standard. Unique combination of features allows for a secure and comfortable fit.

Cons: Adjustment features make it easier to misuse the collar, too tight and the dog won't be able to pant effectively.

Bottom Line: I had grabbed this head halter out of a drawer because I needed one in a pinch, but it has turned out to be a favorite.

Product Review: Holt Control Harness

The Holt Control Harness, currently available from Coastal Pet Products, is a slightly different version of the no-pull string harness. This one-piece design slips over the head and then both front feet are stepped into the harness and the toggle is tightened up. The Holt harness allows total freedom of motion, and does not rub under the armpits. It is available in three sizes to fit dogs with necks 8-26" around, and chests up to 36" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Holt Harness was originally sold by the Canadian company Pet Valu. Coastal Pet Products acquired them in 2009. There don't seem to be a lot of Holt-branded products out there, but this is definitely the most recognizable and unique. It uses rounded cords to concentrate pressure like the Sporn Halter and the Yuppy Puppy Anti-Pull Harness. However, it does not run the cords through the dog's armpits.

This is one of the few no-pull harnesses that allows total freedom of motion. It does not block the motion of the shoulder or upper arm at all, and it sits well clear of the armpits so it will not rub. The round cords also disappear into the dog's coat, making this harness less likely to contribute to matting on hairy dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

Like the other string harnesses we've tried, this one is not strongly aversive. At least, Sisci did not mind towing me over to a tennis ball in it. You can see it sort of riding into her armpits in the pulling picture, but it is actually very adjustable and I could make those cords sit much further back. Like the Balance Harness, the top section on this one can be adjusted so it can be made to fit all sorts of weird body shapes.

My only complaint about this harness is that, like most string harnesses, it tightens down with a toggle for a secure fit, leaving any extra length of cord to dangle. This means a smaller dog in the size range could have a foot or more of extra cord hanging around, while a larger dog may not have any. I don't like having the leash clip swinging around in my dog's face, and I also don't like having a big floppy bit hanging off the harness when my dog is off leash.

Pros: Rounded cords slide into long coats. Seriously adjustable in every dimension. Likely most effective on larger dogs. Allows freedom of movement and stays out of the armpits. Does not choke.

Cons: Toggle fitting system leaves a big length of cord swinging around, needs a leash attached to prevent leash ring from hitting a running dog. May seem a bit complicated for newbs to put on. Requires a bit of flexibility to get into as the dog must step over cords.

Bottom Line: Simple and kind of classy. A minimalist no-pull solution.