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-   -   Gentle-lead halter? (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/91884-gentle-lead-halter.html)

missPenny 08-21-2007 04:56 PM
Gentle-lead halter?
 
I contacted the training kennel here locally about Penny and her obsessive barking fits, problems on walks, etc. She pulls and pulls to get to people, goes nuts barking, and has gotten to where she even snaps occasionally. She's always been an anxious dog, but it has progressively worsened as she gets older. We want to correct this situation now before she bites someone and we lose her. It's very upsetting because at home with us, she is the sweetest, most loving dog you've ever met!

Anyway, the trainer recommended a private session to start with so she can evaluate Penny. Also, she said it would be a good idea to purchase a gentle-lead halter for Penny and get her used to it.

I looked them up and found this site with a good explanation: Link. I've seen all the trainers on TV have people use these but never on a dog as small as a Yorkie.

Anyone here have experience with a gentle-lead halter?

For My Coby 08-21-2007 05:02 PM
Here's another alternative...
http://www.softouchconcepts.com/

It's based on the way horses learn to be reigned. We got Coby one. It definitely helps with the pulling. I'm not sure I have the perfect fit yet and haven't had time to call the company for guidance. But it has really helped the walking/pulling. And in the house, it works when we're training, etc.

Good Luck.

browniesmom622 08-21-2007 05:10 PM
since theres no presure on the neck i dont see why it would be a problem

browniesmom622 08-21-2007 05:11 PM
i would say no to the second one

Gracie2006 08-21-2007 05:21 PM
I use the gentle leader. It works great! My only complaint is when Gracie has her long coat, the hair where the leash attaches to the harness, on her chest, gets tangled up in the leash hook. It doesn't seem to bother her, but I am always digging hair out of the leash latch. I suppose I could wrap some Koban around it to keep the hair from getting tangled up in it.

Ellie May 08-21-2007 06:22 PM
I bought a Gentle Leader for Ellie, watched the DVD, put it on her, and hated it.
It has to be worn very high on the neck, and you should only be able to fit one finger very snuggly in between the skin and the collar. The DVD said that it is okay that it is that tight because, even in humans, if you put something around your neck in that spot it doesn't bother you. Well, I had to try and I would have to say it DOES bother me a lot. It feels so irritating. Anyway, I put it on Ellie and it was too loose, so I needed to tighten it. She was already making weird noises before I tried tightening it (probably just playing games with me but I won't take any chances), so I refused to tighten it and it went back to the store. Some people have great success with them and that is wonderful, but I wouldn't ever be willing to try one on a small dog again. I also found it funny that it says that the collar part, if put on right, won't do anything to the airway even if it is as tight as they say to put it. Then they say, "Be careful with breeds like Boxers because they could experience breathing difficulty (or something to that effect) with this product".

Erin 08-21-2007 07:06 PM
I own and have tried all of these kinds of products.

The gentle leader is fine. It really helps me control Loki. I taught him how to do loose leash walking when he was a puppy so it's not so much for pulling, but for his reactivity. A dog walking by would FREAK HIM OUT but with the GL we can walk past another dog. The pressure on their muzzle helps to calm them. It's NOT a muzzle, although when you walk her people may think it is which is a GOOD thing for a reactive dog. I find the kids are less likely to stick their hands in Loki's face when he has a big red band around his nose. Other "dog people" will know it's a GL so don't worry about that.

The sensation harness isn't my favorite - I like the Easy Walk better. The Easy Walk harness is great for a dog who pulls. I've used it on Loki and on big dogs too and it works the same. The Easy Walk is also good for a dog who will not tolerate a GL, but it won't help with the barking, etc., only the pulling.

PM me if you want more info. I can send you more info on these, even pics and sizes.

Erin 08-21-2007 07:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellie May (Post 1321677)
I bought a Gentle Leader for Ellie, watched the DVD, put it on her, and hated it.
It has to be worn very high on the neck, and you should only be able to fit one finger very snuggly in between the skin and the collar. The DVD said that it is okay that it is that tight because, even in humans, if you put something around your neck in that spot it doesn't bother you. Well, I had to try and I would have to say it DOES bother me a lot. It feels so irritating. Anyway, I put it on Ellie and it was too loose, so I needed to tighten it. She was already making weird noises before I tried tightening it (probably just playing games with me but I won't take any chances), so I refused to tighten it and it went back to the store. Some people have great success with them and that is wonderful, but I wouldn't ever be willing to try one on a small dog again. I also found it funny that it says that the collar part, if put on right, won't do anything to the airway even if it is as tight as they say to put it. Then they say, "Be careful with breeds like Boxers because they could experience breathing difficulty (or something to that effect) with this product".
The breathing thing is because they have short muzzles and can't breathe through their nose. They can still fetch, eat and drink with the GL on, but they can't open their mouth AS wide as they otherwise could. This might interfere with their ability to pant. It says not to leave it on long on a hot day. These products are very popular in the gentle/clicker/cookie training circuits - trainers who don't harm dogs like prong/choke collar trainers do. They are good products, but you do need to use your best judgement.

For My Coby 08-21-2007 07:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erin (Post 1321781)
I own and have tried all of these kinds of products.

The gentle leader is fine. It really helps me control Loki. I taught him how to do loose leash walking when he was a puppy so it's not so much for pulling, but for his reactivity. A dog walking by would FREAK HIM OUT but with the GL we can walk past another dog. The pressure on their muzzle helps to calm them. It's NOT a muzzle, although when you walk her people may think it is which is a GOOD thing for a reactive dog. I find the kids are less likely to stick their hands in Loki's face when he has a big red band around his nose. Other "dog people" will know it's a GL so don't worry about that.

The sensation harness isn't my favorite - I like the Easy Walk better. The Easy Walk harness is great for a dog who pulls. I've used it on Loki and on big dogs too and it works the same. The Easy Walk is also good for a dog who will not tolerate a GL, but it won't help with the barking, etc., only the pulling.

PM me if you want more info. I can send you more info on these, even pics and sizes.

I'm curious - what made you like the Easy Walk better than the Sensation?

Erin 08-21-2007 07:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by For My Coby (Post 1321793)
I'm curious - what made you like the Easy Walk better than the Sensation?
The Easy Walk has a martingale attachment in the front. The sensation just has an O ring that hangs down. I felt like I couldn't get the fit right on the sensation. It kept hanging down. You also use them slightly differently. You walk with the leash on the outside of you and your dog with the sensation. The Easy Walk lets you have the leash on either side or in front.

The only problem with the Easy Walk and Yorkies is that they are so short they end up tripping on the leash. Loki doesn't have this problem because he is so tall, but a short, small Yorkie might. I love the EW so much that I had one custom made to my specifications to fit Loki. He was in between sizes and when he outgrew it we both felt lost without it.

Keep in mind, we have an Easy Walk, GL, regular harness, etc. Each has a different use. They are tools, not solutions. I'm also kind of into training and stuff, so I love trying all the new products, but my point is that none of these can be your *only* harness.

Erin 08-21-2007 07:31 PM
Pics
 
2 Attachment(s)
OK these are really bad, but it's all I have. I will take better ones if that would help you.

For My Coby 08-21-2007 07:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erin (Post 1321807)
The Easy Walk has a martingale attachment in the front. The sensation just has an O ring that hangs down. I felt like I couldn't get the fit right on the sensation. It kept hanging down. You also use them slightly differently. You walk with the leash on the outside of you and your dog with the sensation. The Easy Walk lets you have the leash on either side or in front.

The only problem with the Easy Walk and Yorkies is that they are so short they end up tripping on the leash. Loki doesn't have this problem because he is so tall, but a short, small Yorkie might. I love the EW so much that I had one custom made to my specifications to fit Loki. He was in between sizes and when he outgrew it we both felt lost without it.

Keep in mind, we have an Easy Walk, GL, regular harness, etc. Each has a different use. They are tools, not solutions. I'm also kind of into training and stuff, so I love trying all the new products, but my point is that none of these can be your *only* harness.

Thanks for the great explanation. I love the Sensation harness but do feel I don't have the fit quite right. So I may try the Easy Walk. I stayed away from the the Gentle Lead because so many people had said their pups tried to rub the strap off the nose. Coby does great in the Sensation on long walks, on a leash in "traffic" when he likes to stay near me, and a regular harness the rest of the time. So I can appreciate your "tools" comment. Thanks for the insight.

daisysis 08-21-2007 08:37 PM
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gracie2006 (Post 1321532)
I use the gentle leader. It works great! My only complaint is when Gracie has her long coat, the hair where the leash attaches to the harness, on her chest, gets tangled up in the leash hook. It doesn't seem to bother her, but I am always digging hair out of the leash latch. I suppose I could wrap some Koban around it to keep the hair from getting tangled up in it.


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