Acclimating your dog to a Gentle Leader (LONG)

[fernanernie]

gentle leader.

I have never used a gentle leader. My dog would pull and pull, in fact we were leaving for his mid-afternoon walk, and he brought me down the front steps (on my face). I just today bought him a harness for his shoulders, first time out it works like a charm... no pulling, he walks with his head up (instead of like a racoon looking for a trash can) and he prances like he was in a dog show. I had no idea he had it in him appicon . He is now my big gentleman, instead of wild crazy nut without a care.

 

[sarar]

They do make a GL for short-nosed dogs. I have one for Obie.
It is really important to have the correct GL because the others (not for short-nosed dogs) can inhibit panting. And if your dog is anything like mine, when he gets excited he pants.

 

[KarenD]

My 9-month old puppie pulls like crazy when she's excited but I think I'll try a chest harness before I buy a gentle leader. When the obedience trainer put a gentle leader on her, she hated it so much. She was either trying to get it off or sitting and pouting, totally ignoring me the entire obedience class!!!

 

[sarar]

Oh, totally. Obie did that the first time, too. But, he got over it by the next class.

 

[Kelly Robinson]

We have done the whole acclamation of the gentle leader with our trainer and Buster still tries to get it off his head by rolling around on the grass (yes, he is covered in grass stains) and pawing at his face. BUT, walking is still a 1000000% better with it. My arm actually stays inthe socket and we have more fun.

 

[ASTNC]

I have been using a gentle leader for several training classes. He tolerates it but does not really like it. He walks by my side and does great with it, but when I take it off from him he does not listen anymore. I have come to the conclusion that he never really learned by using one (that I would always have to use it in order for him to do what I wanted him to do). I am now retraining him without one and he is finally "getting it"...that he needs to walk by my side without pulling. It will be a slow transition but he is much happier without it on.

 

[PSUHeather]

I have a no-pull chest harness for Trace. I tried the Halti on her, and it looked as if the rodeo had relocated to my living room. It (the halti) works wonders with my mom's dog, though.

 

[Chewy's Mom]

PSU Heather, too funny (your rodeo comment). I know exactly what you mean.

We just got a GL for Chewy after reading on this site about what a miracle worker it is. He has always been a serious puller on the leash. He hates the GL so far, but it does help him walk by my side calmly on a loose leash. I doubt that Chewy will ever like his GL, but I know he'll get used to it, and he'll eventually associate it with doing fun things. It's not a device that is intended to be fun for the dog. It's purpose is so that you can control the dog and not the other way around.

I think every dog responds differently to different devices. So if you find something - anything - that works for your dog, then just go with it. I know if we put a regular chest harness on Chewy, it would just make pulling easier for him. It would be great though if we wanted to roller-blade around the block without actually excercising.

 

[Bella's Mum]

Does anyone know if the Gental Leader is available in the UK?

 

[PSUHeather]

Little Mella has started puppy school, and the trainer suggested that all dogs should experience a head collar (GL or Halti). He said that the more the dog resists it the better it is that he or she is wearing it. Something about head-strong dogs... anyways Mell does respond well with it on, in fact w/o it I have no control over her in class. All those other dogs make her crazy hyper!