Using a Head Collar

Question
I have a five year old Giant Schnauzer/Standard poodle mix named Kia.In all respects, she is very well behaved, and is quite smart.
Because she is a bigger dog (and she loves to chase rabbits and squirrels), she wears a head collar that wraps around her nose when we walk. That way, if she tries to pull away, she just pulls her own head to the side.
The problem is, she hates having the head collar put on. She runs around the house and I have to chase her just to put the collar on. Because she doesn't like the collar, she also runs away when we get a simple leash out. To counter this, I started to tempt her with cheese, hoping to associate the head collar and leash with something she loves. This just turned into a game routine. She runs away, to the middle of the living room, where I stop, put some cheese on the ground, grab her regular collar, and put the head collar on.
If I ever need to catch her in an emergency, I am worried that I won't be able to. Even without the head collar, if I try to catch her with just a leash, she still runs away. She is fine once they are on; they don't physically hurt her, and she loves going on walks, she just hates the feeling of the head collar.
How can I make catching her a more pleasant experience?

Thanks!

Cate

Answer
Cate,

First, get her in a routine to start looking at you. A WATCH ME COMMAND. Say the words "WATCH ME" when she looks at you reward her. If she gets in the habit of always looking at you eye to eye and watching you before she thinks about doing anything else you have gained some type of control.This should be done so she knows the words "WATCH ME".
I would suggest to work on your STAY and add the FREEZE command., hence the name meaning she is being still no matter what till you give her a release. Put the collars down in front of you while you ask her to WATCH ME, sit and stay instead of using cheese switch to something irresistible like a small wedge of chicken, or even a small chunk of a hot dog or anything you know she would love to have.
If she sits and stays REWARD... now start with the FREEZE word meaning she can not move, if she wants to move away lure her back and continue with WATCH ME and Freeze. This might take some time but with the right motivators she will get in the habit of staying still. When you have done this over time, start asking from a distance ask her WATCH ME and FREEZE and she should be stopping what she is doing and waiting for your next command.

Hope this helps

Lorie