[wannadoodle]

PetSmart here "forbid" the prong collar too, then after my big head bashing incident I refused to come to class without it and they now look the other way as they have seen the miraculous change in my doodle. My trainer first had said no because I would never be able to control him without it......not true..he is now doing very well (not perfect) with a regular collar sometimes. The gentle leader just did not work for us and people did shy from him because of the muzzle look
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LeeBeth and Toby-Doodle Dandy

[seazr]

I'll put up with the muzzle look. I took Dakota for a long walk yesterday with the gentle leader and it was perfect!! I couldn't believe it! It was such a pleasure!
Diane

[JettsMom]

I use the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness on Jett and it works well. She wasn't trained to walk beside me like I am trying to teach Copper so if I want to take them together I put the harness on her. Jett has always walked on an extra-long flexi lead so that she could explore the hiking trails when we walked. Dogs aren't allowed off leash so I thought this was the next best thing.
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Vicky (Jett and Copper)

[Jamie]

Must admit we're not keen on the prong either, I accept that others like them but don't feel it's for Bella.

To those that suggested cheese and stuff, we can't because of her total exclusion diet. We do use her food biscuits as training treats though.

trouble is she's so stubborn!

Walking to heal is a nightmare and she just drags us no matter how many times we jerk the lead and stuff.

she's a heavy thing now too

[lisarundell]

Here is a suggestion from our puppy class. The heel or steady (what our class uses) is taught standing still not walking the first week. I had to take Lani in the yard because she did not pull on the leash in the house. This is directly from our weekly training sheets.

Standing still let the dog walk around or do whatever she wants except jump on you or anyone else or bark unnecessarily. The instant that you feel the dog pull or tug on the lead command HEEL or STEADY, pop him back and immediately praise the dog. NO TREATS DURING THIS EXCERCISE. IT is essential that you praissse thd dof after each correction. repeat the excercise everytime your dog pulls or tugs you. Note: the STEADY/HEEL exercise MUST be done standing in place the first week. Practice this excercise in a distraction free area the first day, then expose your dog to some distractions so your dog learns not to pull you regardless of what is happening. This excercise cannot be taught correctly if you are walking around. You are ready to walk your dog when your dog stops pulling on the lead when you are standing still. Hope this helps.[/color]
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Lisa, Lani and Toby
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j309/lisarundell/


Outside of a dog a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
Groucho Marx

[Jamie]

Thanks Lisa and all, it's got to be worth a try, we'll try a few of these suggestions listed here once Bellas well enough again.

[pattydaisy]

Lisa I've never heard the method of first learning to heel without walking but it makes perfect sense - otherwise the dog has to master both position & pace of walking together - like us trying to learn to walk & chew gum at the same time! Thanks for the info.
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Gabriele, Odie & Molly

[lisarundell]

I have found that this has helped Lani. When we are walking if she is having trouble with "steady" I will stop and spend time in one spot doing corrections until she settles down again. I hope that Bella is feeling better soon!
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Lisa, Lani and Toby
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j309/lisarundell/


Outside of a dog a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
Groucho Marx