gentle leader head collar training advice

[LaurenBev]

I've just started working with Leo using one of these Gentle Leader Headcollars. We've had Leo for over a year - he is an adult rescue bluetick coonhound and he was, and continues to be, a very strong puller on a leash. I've just put up with it and let him pull and jerk me around, because teaching him to walk on a loose leash was so daunting to me and I've let it go on - until now. I'm expecting our first baby in May, and as my belly grows, I'm finding its getting more difficult to keep my balance and control Leo (he's about 95 lbs). I'm also realizing that walking dog and baby together simply won't be safe, or even possible, the way things are now. Enter the Gentle Leader Headcollar - we've just started working with it today, and it seems to be working beautifully already - he stays by my side and pulling is almost completely eradicated - I wish I'd tried this sooner. But, I keep reading everywhere that its only a training tool and NOT a permanent solution... but, I can't find any information anywhere about how to transition away from it and back to a 'regular' harness anywhere. Obviously, we are not ready to transition yet, as we just started with the Gentle Leader Headcollar today, but I'm not really sure what I should be doing while using the Gentle Leader, to TEACH Leo how to walk on a loose leash, in order to prepare him to transition back to a regular leash at some point in the future. Right now, it just seems like a magic fix, but with no substance behind it. I would like Leo to learn from all of this - not to have to wear a Gentle Leader for the rest of his days. Any advice?

[Stacer]

OMG, he's gorgeous! He looks like he'd be a goofy pooch.

I've been using the Gentle Leader on my heavy puller for almost 2 years. On a regular basis I attempt to just use the leash on her flat collar, but she's stubborn and reverts to pulling. I'm at the point now where I'm sticking with what works. She walks like a dream on the Gentle Leader and it's not rubbing the fur off of her nose or causing her any discomfort, so I'll probably always walk her with it on.

My husband rarely uses it, but he has more patience than I do and generally walks 1 step forward 2 steps back with her for the duration of his walks with her and she never seems to get it.

IMO, if he walks well on the GL and you can eventually train him to walk nice on regular leash, great, but don't feel bad if you have to continue with the GL as a long term solution. My pooch actually gets her GL for me when we go on walks, she has very positive associations with it. If she's happy, I'm happy.

[Kay9]

It's my understanding that the gentle leader is promoted as an alternative to the usual collars and harnesses that are used for dog walking. The gentle leader people certainly don't promote it only as a training tool, and neither do alot of vets.

I see lots of people use them with dogs of all sizes and all ages. If I were you, I would continue to use it and not worry a lick.

Your dog is so cute, by the way!

[LaurenBev]

Thanks for the input. I don't know where I heard that it should only be used as a training tool - you're right, Gentle Leader certainly doesn't advertise it that way... Well, we will continue to use it and get used to it, as it really helps, and maybe we'll be able to transition, maybe we won't, but as long as its working and not hurting or upsetting Leo, I guess we'll just go with it and see where we get.

And, thanks for the kind words - he IS a handsome hound, isn't he? And, yes, very goofy. A great dog - we're lucky to have found him.

[myras_momma]

I know this is an old thread, but I am thrilled to read it!

We have a 9 month old Treeing walker coonhound we rescued from a local shelter, we were so excited to get a dog after moving into a bigger house with a fenced yard! She is now close to 70 pounds, exceptionally strong in the shoulders and neck, and she doesn't even feel a prong collar. My husband? she walks pretty good for him, and for me, 6 out of 10 walks, she is fine. but she gets her moments when she goes berserk.. lol.. hyper, spunky, stubborn goof that she is. Mainly though, she pulls like crazy. Being a hound and all, she is totally scent driven, and when she catches a scent, I get jerked around like crazy. So I am now convinced that the Gentle leader will be a good purchase on my part. I look forward to trying one, and soon! If it will work with a 90 pound houndie, why can't it work with a 70 pounder? hee hee..
Thanks! this forum is fantastic!

[cell]

If it works then there is no point in ever stopping using it, it will save his throat and your elbow and shoulder, so everyone wins. Now if he didn't despond to it and was just yanking you around by his face that would be another story.

[myras_momma]

Well, We purchased the Gentle Leader head collar, and tho she is finding it " a nuisance" at this point ( I am trying to associate the collar with rewards at this point until she gets used to it) She was AMAZING on our first walk with the collar on! I had brought the prong collar with me in case I needed it, But I didn't! I went out for our walk with the intention of making it up the street at the least.. we ended up making our way to the local Pet Valu and back without incident! no pulling, no tugging.. her whole demeanor changed with me. Now My Husband had a hard time with her whilest wearing that collar, but he never had problems with her on the prong.. She doesn't pull or tug around with him, so he is not needing to correct her with it. The worker at the Pet store thought maybe Myra sensed I was uncomfortable with using the prong collar and that is why she would be tugging, pulling etc.. picking up on my anxiety maybe? I never felt comfortable using it because I was always afraid it was hurting her when she would pull me towards something or tug, and I would have to correct her.. She never seemed to react to it physically, but emotionally I have no idea, All I know is that our last 2 walks with the Gentle Leader were SOOOO nice, calm.. too bad it is so frigid out there tonight.. didn't go to far.. I look forward to more improvement in our daily walks!

[cuechick]

I have a rescue Walker Hound who is 110 pounds. He had pulled me onto my knees at one point and I was getting frustrated. I tried everything, choker, prong, harness and nothing worked until i got a Gentle Leader at Pet Smart...OMG the first few minutes of putting it on he stopped pulling and changed into the perfect dog! I used to dread having to take him for a walk but now I enjoy the time with him. I have recommended them to everyone I know. I just got a Border Collie/Black Lab who also pulled and I bought one the same day..he fought it a bit, but now I can walk both of them together without incident. It's easier on all of us and I believe that as long as its not hurting the dog, then use what works!

[tenderfoot]

Using the gentle leader is fine especially when you are pregnant and keeping yourself safe.
The reason it can be tough to wean yourself from the leader is that the dog is respecting the GL because it creates discomfort when the leash gets tight. If he forges ahead or you yank back on the leash he can tweak his neck badly so he behaves to avoid the discomfort, but he not learning to walk nicely beside you on a loose leash. If you stop using the GL then the dog will typically go back to old behavior.
People are the ones who teach dogs to pull and they need to be the one to teach them not to pull. Every step a person takes in the direction the dog is pulling is a reward for pulling. Dogs do what works and when it works they do it more.
You need to take the time to teach your dog that he doesn't get to take one step in the direction he wants by pulling you there. He only gets to go in that direction by walking nicely beside you on a loose leash.
This can take minutes, hours or days but it does work and lasts a lifetime.