Vet & Trainer Hate the Gentle Leader

[hanksmyboy]

We use a Gentle leader for Hank and love it!! We've been using it for at least a year and have had no problems at all. I can see if the dog was to pull very hard or something it could possible cause a problem but Hank handles it very well.
I'm always willing to try something else, though. Could someone post a link to the harnesses they are talking about?

Thanks!!

Dave

 

[totallyhip]

Were still using the Gentle Leader on Leia b/c the trainer said to until we can get her to start focusing on us outside. Were doing most of the training inside now to get her focused without distractions. Then we will try outside and add more distractions. The first session went good and we have a list of stuff we need to do. However, it turns out Leia has fear agression (to other dogs) too along with other issues. Our trainer who also does dog walking tried to take her out last week with them. Needless to say it didn't go well. Were trying to get her to overcome this.

So anyhoooo I still like the Gentle Leader and am still using it. I tried putting a harness on her and she just pulls way too much. The GL is the best thing that we have found for her. Luke didn't take to it at all when I tried it on him. But Leia seems to be better with it.

 

[AmyDonnelly]

Our dog trainer said that the GL masks the problem like a bandaid, covering up the problem of the dog not being trained to walk on leash nicely. She didn't say anything about it doing damage to the dogs neck, but did mention that many dogs don't like it and by wearing it they aren't focusing on you, instead they are focusing on trying to get that thing off. So our trainer showed us how to walk the dogs and its MUCH better than before and I wouldn't even need to use a GL. Im not brave enough to venture out with all 3 of them at the same time just yet, but hopefully one day I can.

 

[TossBranAbi]

A gentle leader is just a bandaid to mask the problem but if they are used correctly, the can be a good tool. My dogs both have a GL, they also walk pretty good on a leash but I wear the GL on them when I am walking them because I have back problems and if they would get fixated on something, there is no way I could stop them. If Stephen walks the dogs, they don't wear the GL. Brady does not mind his at all, he even puts his nose through the loop to put it on. Abbie doesn't like hers but she tolerates it. I bought them each the GL harness as well and Brady hates it and Abbie gets hers all messed up. It just doesn't fit her right and it is always off to the side or something weird.

 

[totallyhip]

We have been using the GL on Leia for about 2.5 months now. It is alot better! I know some people say that it's only a temporary solution...but its the best thing we've tried so far. I am actually able to get her to walk "nice" on the leash (loose leash) with it on. She does still go nuts when she sees other dogs but were working on that too! Its way better than her collar. She won't even walk nice with just her collar and no distractions. She is 55 lbs and an Olympic Puller! When she is pulling it feels like about 150 lbs! Eventually we will stop using the GL but for now its necessary. Even our trainer (who hates it) said to keep using it until she can focus better.