Gentle Leader
My groomer suggested I try a Gentle Leader. He (the groomer) seems to like it a lot better than a pinch collar. Have any of you had experience with Gentle Leaders? What is your opinion of it? Thanks... Deborah and Pirate (who's gettin' too big for his britches!) |
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| Excelllent devices, it worked for Lennon... As long as they don't learn how to chew them off. Keep an eye on pirate when he's wearing it, because they have the tendency to chew on the little plastic retainer and learn to take it off and chew it. |
| I think you can get a metal hookie-thingie. Do you think that would be better? Deborah |
| You could give it a try with a metal hook thingee. The problem with lennon was that he realized that by pulling the clip, he had enough leverage to start shaking it until he could remove it from his head.
Before he learned that, his gentle leader prove to be a very easy way to walk him and it was natural for him to follow you. Give it a try, because they are very effective and easy to use.... If that does not work, give the training collar a try, that did wonders for sofa, who is a chronic puller. |
| Deb and Saulmr,
I have heard many good things about gentle leaders and their efficacy in controlling pulling dogs. I'm glad for those who have had good results but I worry about their safety and potential to do serious neck/spine damage. As such even though Virgil and Martin do tend to pull on the leash I have avoided using gentle leaders. As I see it there will almost certainly come a time, no matter how well trained a dog may be and how "mellow" he/she may appear while walking, when he/she will see something that just sets them into chase mode and they will explode towards their "fixation". (While Bobtails are not Afghans in terms of speed it never ceases to amaze me just how fast they can run and even more so how quickly they accelerate to their top speed!!) In this scenario as the leash's slack is taken up and snaps taught the gentle leader's fixture geometry will cause the head to snap sideways as the body continues its forward motion potentially causing serious neck muscle strain or possibly, in the worst case scenario, a broken neck! The only way I would ever consider using a gentle leader would be as a guidance tool concurrently supplemented by a conventional leash and collar for absolute restraint. In the case of the dog lurching into a chase the gentle leader would be released and the regular leash and collar, already securely grasped, would then restrain the dog in the conventional manner. However, could one be sure of releasing the gentle leader in time? I have found that a lot of small corrections on the leash, especially before the dog starts to "act up" is vastly superior to a single "long haul" or "yank" trying to restrain and correct the dog after the pull and attempt to run has started. Vigilence and pre-emptive action on my part will almost always keep things at least disciplined, if not totally under control, when that "I've just got to have that squirrel (or any other irrisistable phenomenon)" mindset comes over one of our boys An alternative point for consideration and/or commentary please. Cheers Carl |
While your concern for your pooches safety is admirable, I have noticed that when your dog is allowed to drive the car, you don't require him to wear a seat belt  All kidding aside, do you feel that the pinch collar is safer? Pirate hasn't really ever just bolted, but has started leading me where he wants to go and its sometimes a battle of wills (Sheepdogs headstrong? NEVER!). He has never just tried to run off, but he has tried to "take me" where he wants to go. I have trained him not to run with me, but to walk. Do you have any other suggestions for me? Thanks! Deborah |
| I don't use gentle leaders or halti's with the girls, however I have used them in the past with great success. I think oes are too stubborn for them. LOL
I had never thought of the potential for injury with them, however I think that is true of any kind of collar or harness etc if not used correctly and with supervision. I think training is really the key. An obedience class first of all teaches you, but also teaches the dog to pay attention to you. If the dog is focused on you, he won't be as likely to pull away from you. I think Pirate has already done some obedience though? Maybe a refresher course, explaining to the trainer that your intent is to try to curb some of his pulling? |
| I will second Willowsprite's motion. Talking to a trainer abut a very specific problem it's effective. That's how we were taugth to use the training collar for walks, in less than 15 minutes we corrected unwanted pulling and now it's a joy to walk them. Unless, of course, that they want to play... or chase a squirrel... or a bird... hahahaha.... I'll say it's easier now, but they are far from perfect. At least my arm does not hurt anymore! |
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