Got the Gentle Leader

[totallyhip]

We bought the Gentle Leader for Luke. He has just turned 2. Lately he has been jumping on people that we meet in the street, when were walking. Sometimes he go nuts when he sees other dogs too. We got the GL because I am having a hard time controlling him at times. He seems to be getting stronger everyday. Do you think he is too old for the GL?
I am also concerned about hurting his neck. Any thoughts? I read some of the threads on this and most sound good and recommend it.

 

[Bers]

There's a very good post in the Training forum about acclimating your dog to the GL. Also, when first using it you should keep his regular collar and another leash on him, that way if he does go running at something full gallop it won't yank him back by the head and give him whiplash.

 

[boxergirl76]

also got a GL

Hi everyone,
I also got a GL latley and im not sure its going to great..I have tried to slowly get my dog used to it and he still tries to scratch it off and dosent want to move and I have read everything on here and Im not sure he will ever get used to it ..I can tell it works but he just dosent seem to be getting used to it any other advice..I have also tried a standerd harness and he still pulls not as bad as with a coller but still enough to pull be down the street and hes only 4 months ..please help..thanks

 

[carebear8322]

both my puppy's have gentle leaders, as it was required for ones puppy kindergarten class. I found that puting it on for a few minutes at a time wasnt working very well. I found that if tyson would wear it for 30 minutes befor class would start he'd behave much better and wouldnt try to take it off as much as the other dogs. I also found if you train them with it on, like sit, or down, whatever with treats they like it better. they dont see it as punishment. oh yeah, make sure their jowels arent all squished in the leader, they hate that. I would suggest the few minutes thing the first day or two, otherwise I just leave it on for an hour or so while I would on commands or play first, and then go on the walk...it worked for mine

 

[puakea]

I bought a GL for Kea at 5 mo, and she completely freaked out when I put it on her. I mean screaming and "bucking", and throwing a serious temper tantrum. It alarmed be so much that I was fearful of using it again. I asked her trainer, who came highly recommended and from a very reputable program, to help me get her used to it, and my trainer was VERY against me using it for her. Primarily because of how it tweaks their neck and throws their spinal allignment off. She had some horor stories about down the road health issues associated w/ a GL - making that collar seem anything but gentle. Anywho, Kea is a very strong-willed / independent alpha puppy, and after various approaches, I reluctantly trained her with a prong collar. I know that is not an approved method on this site, so I won't discuss it. My point of all this is to say to find what's best for your pup, and that perhaps gentle leaders are not all that different in the cruel dept from other devices. good luck.

 

[Smooshlips]

I love my Gentle Leader

I use a GL and have gone through trying to teach out that bad habit of rubbing, our trainer told us to use good old positive reinforcement. We would put in on and let the dogs eat with it on, so they could get used to the feeling, also she said any positive activities work it into that for the first little while. Like before morning treats or something like that. And make sure that when your pup starts rubbing just simply bring the leash up so they cant reach the ground, ask for a command ie. sit, then when they stop pawing and perform the comand you give them a treat. i hope that this can help with the pawing boxergirl 76.

 

[carebear8322]

my trainer was VERY against me using it for her. Primarily because of how it tweaks their neck and throws their spinal allignment off. She had some horor stories about down the road health issues associated w/ a GL

How do you see people using GL that it tweaks there neck? as soon as my dogs have it on the calm down. if they do something they're not supposed to, all you have to do is give a little tug....its the same as turning there heads. I think you trainer is talking about people thet pull the leash as hard as possible.