Gentle Leader Head Collar
 

I bought the Gentle Leader to see if it would help with my boys. The problem is that they go CRAZY when they see another dog. Now, I don't know why because they are socialized. They've lived with other dogs, gone to daycare, have play dates, etc.. Deegan used to do this on his own, but not as bad. Once I got Trooper it got worse. They fed off of each other energy. Anyways, I've tried everything I can think of - tried to use treats to distract them, shake a can of pennies to startle them, hired a trainer even, plus many more other tactics and nothing seems to be working for me.

I bought the Gentle Leader thinking that it may help a little. I've only used it once and it was hard to tell because the first dog we crossed they went nuts, like usual, but I accidentally dropped Deegans lead and he went running (in the park - not near the road) so I was in a panic over that. The second dog they completely passed, so I'm not sure it they saw him or not. The third dog they went crazy, but not for as long... so I still need to "test" it some more. But I have a paralyzing fear that when they are throwing their fits that they are going to wriggle out of the collar and bolt and possibly get into a dog fight (if they cross the wrong dog) or get hit by a car. So I was wondering if anyone uses the Gentle Leader and if your dog has managed to get out of it... It scares me to think that they could and I would not forgive myself if that happened. I want them to calm down, but if that's not possible I would want their tantrums to not be as long. But ultimately I want to keep them safe and if I have to tolerate them carrying on and embarrasing me, I'd put up with that. So anyone have their dog wriggle out of the Gentle Leader?

Hi, Jayde............I see that you haven't got any responses so I'm going to bump this for you. I was wondering if you might get more responses if you posted this in the training section. Not good that you are so afraid of what might happen to them. Means you're not enjoying your time out with them. Hope you find answers, Jayde. ~Joanne~

Uni goes crazy as soon as she sees the leash come out. I tried the front clip harness and it didn't work. She just got the lead under her armpit and kept pulling. I haven't tried the head collar. I am afraid that she would still pull, and once she got to the end of the length of the lead she would snap her head backwards, and maybe hurt herself.

Anyone else have any recommendations I would appreciate as well!

I'm just bumping to see if anyone else can answer...
But I do have to say that the Gentle Leader is amazing at stopping them from pulling. Works beautifully for that purpose!

are you trying to get them to stop pulling when walking or just when you meet other dogs.

I use a gentle lead on my 65 pound dog and it has worked great so he doesn't pull me when walking but he use to still get exited when he would see other dogs.

if of them getting out of it yes Kovu has gotten his off once or twice but like i said he's a big dog. So I attach the leash to the lead and collar. but I would not do that on a yorkie.

I used the gentle leader on one of my yorkies that was really pulling on the lead and it just took him a few lessons to settle down then I went back to just the show lead. I think if the gentle leader is adjusted right they should not be able to pull out of it. You might consider having a harness on also and just the gentle leader as a correction tool if they start trying to run off.

I was not that crazy about the bulkiness of the gentle leader I bought. I think for a small yorkie it would not work that well. My boy was 7 lbs so it worked fine on him. He hated it at first but he soon learned not to pull.

I have recently started to use the gentle leader and so far no problems,i looked at the cheaper' Halti' version and found that the gentle leader is safer because the piece that fits under there chin locks in place and does not loosen ..Harley is not keen on wearing it but is pulling far less and is staying far more focused...Good Luck Jayde .

I have used the Gentle Leader for Pebbles and it worked really well. If you are afraid that they might be able to pull out of it you do not have it tight enough which would make the use of it dangerous. When you put it on it should fit very high on the back of the head and be tight otherwise you risk causing injury and the ability of them to be able to pull out. I think if I were trying to train two, I would only take one out at a time until you feel comfortable keeping one in control. Then work with the other until you are comfortable with the second. I have to say when Pebbles has it one she is a :littleang I take it off her and try to use a harness she is a nutjob :rolleyes:

I've tried to use it on Bogey as well and all he did was grind his teeth when I put if on him. I've had him almost a year and he is still horrible on a leash. :(

Why don't you put a harness and 2nd leash on them, that way if they start to pull too hard you can hold onto THAT leash and not worry about their heads/necks.

I like the GL for intense situations. It definitely improves Loki's reaction time.

I have the Gentle Leader harness for Suzi. She has learned very quickly not to pull. I like it because there is two rings on it. one on the bottom and one on the top. Even if I use a retractable leash , Suzi has learned to stop and wait when the leash has extended , then she will go when there is more slack to the leash.
The G.L. Harness is a bit pricey, but worth it . :thumbup:

I'm positive that I have them on correctly, tight enough and everything, but I am still so very worried...