Do you like the Gentle Leader?

[Sheila]

We also have the Easy Walk. I love it. It a harness that goes around the body, in front of and behind the front legs. The guy who sold it to me explained that when Pixie pulls, it would squeeze her front legs together, making it harder for her to walk. She hasn't had a moment's problem with it, and she has pulled MUCH less sine we began using it.

The guy at the store said that it tends to work only temporarily, and that the next step would be a prong collar, but I don't think we need to take that step. We started obedience training right after buying the Easy Walk, so between the two she's heeling pretty well now. I would highly recommend it.

[tykesmom]

My trainers say the dogs who hate the Gentle Leader most & go into contortions are the dogs that need it most.
And, I was not aware that the Gentle Leader nose piece eventually (when no longer required) is meant to come off the nose, becoming a collar.
Of course, they also said it's the owners who have trouble watching the contortions...we are such wimps.


I am definitely one of those wimps! I got the Gentle Leader collar and put it on Tyke, and she looked like she was having a seizure or something! I couldn't stand it!
I have ordered the Gentle Walker harness for her to see if that works better for her. I think that nosepiece was the thing that drives dogs so crazy - maybe the harness won't feel so foreign to her - I hope!

[lmtoth2]

We use the EZ walk harnass on Dex and honestly, he still pulls in it. If we can't get him used to the Gentle Leader I may have to get a prong collar...I know they're not mean, but they just look like torture devices

[tykesmom]

I've worked with Tyke on a prong collar - but only in the backyard - and it DOES work!
We are walking three miles together now, but I haven't tried it on those walks yet - it IS scary looking, and you have to remember to just apply a little pressure - the way Tyke takes off when she sees a squirrel, I'm afraid she will really hurt herself!

[sdrudge]

Well thank you everyone. I will keep trying with Cacao. She will tug at it on the walk. But only two times. So I think we will keep up with it.

[tykesmom]

Tyke's Easy Walk harness came in today - it works pretty well, but she really needs to grow into it a bit - she is still a little too narrow for it through the chest, but the way she is growing, it won't take long for it to fit her.
I tried the Gentle Leader again, with absolutely NO LUCK. Tyke actually grabs part of the leash now while she is going through all her contortions, and it keeps me from having any control over her! So far, the only thing that has worked is the prong collar. She is like a different dog with that on. She walks right beside me, with the "smile" in the leash line just as she is supposed to do! When she gets out of line, it takes the tiniest of tugs on the leash to correct her. It really looks like a torture device, but it sure does work well!

[lmtoth2]

Kim - did you get a medium? That's what we have for Kirby (he's about 42 lbs) and it fits him well...better when his hair is longer (like now). It is a ton better than just on the collar...good luck

[ckh5941]

Can someone tell me where I can view these online?
Thanks!
Kay

[SadieFern]

Here's one place
http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/product.a ... CAVJNMDLS0

I got Sadie's at http://www.sitstay.com

They also have them at http://www.dog.com

Just google or froogle "gentle leader"

[tykesmom]

Leslie - I did get a medium -Tyke is at about 34 lbs now, so it fits her pretty loosely, but it works great! I took her for a short walk down the street (before that, I'd only used in the backyard), and it was like walking a different dog!
Kay, I would suggest that if you get one, you get someone to show you how to use it - you don't want any hard tugs on the leash, and you have to remember to keep the leash LOOSE - it won't work on one of those retractable leashes.