I use a haress, flat collar, easy walk or gentle leader with a 6 foot or retractable leash they all work even the normal harness but he behaves soo much better with the gentle leader but he hates so is a grntle leader and 6 ft lead OK? what do you use for your larg dog?
He has calmed down and now rarely pulls thats how I can use a harness and a flat. But he simply behaves soo well, he heels (I do show him but he is as big as me so he does not always listen!) so is that OK?
I had a prong but my mom made me take it back. and after reading on choke and prong I changed my mind, they are cruel.
I used an halti (similar to the gentle leader) and a retractable lead with both my Labs, they didn't like it at first, but got used to it, it stopped them from pulling, and now they don't need it.
powered by Yahoo Answers
June 7th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I've two large and one small they all use and I love the gentle leader and a 6 ft lead with it. My parents and there two large dogs also use this and love it. It's like a baby horse getting used to a harlter or a new pup getting used to the collar and or leash just takes times but in the end it's great. I use a regular 6 foot lead. Best of luck:)
References :
June 7th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
i'd think a retractable leash and gentle leader do not go together..because the retractable leash is constantly pulling..
my large dog i keep on a regular lead, my little dog has the retractable leash. that's because i wouldn't be able to hold my large dog if he pulled.
just like you wouldn't use a retractable leash + chock collar..you shouldn't lock the retractable leash except for emergencies because they break..so he's always pulling on the gentle leader..if he's so behaved you can try it without the leader now, i agree, the leader should be temporary. do it a little at a time. maybe take off the leader on the way home from a walk when he's got some energy out of him and just praise him.
References :
June 7th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I used an halti (similar to the gentle leader) and a retractable lead with both my Labs, they didn't like it at first, but got used to it, it stopped them from pulling, and now they don't need it.
References :
June 7th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Don't use such a long leash if your dogs problem is pulling.
Teach your dog to heel right beside you, not 6 ft out in front on you..
With the recommendation of a professional trainer, I use a prong collar on my Pit Bull.
For you, if your dog is a puller, I'd recommend a shorter leash, 4ft and shorter. When I was training, I used a 1-3ft leash. It REALLY helped in training my dog to heel.
If the gentle leader works for you, use it! It's a great, humane training tool. Keep up the good work!
References :
June 7th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I use 6 foot leashes and a choke or pinch collar. If the dog pulls, it gets snapped and commanded to heel. If it pulls again, it gets snapped again and so on until the dog is properly walking.
If you're using a Gentle Leader, it's most likely because the dog pulls - A dog that pulls should never be walked on a retractable leash.
Who cares if the dog dislikes it? I am the one that's in control and makes those decisions, not my dogs. It's called training.
Edit - If he only heels "sometimes" and doesn't always listen, no, that's NOT OK, he needs to be corrected. Change over to a pinch or choke collar and correct him when he doesn't behave. YOU need to control the dog and quit letting him control you.
References :
June 7th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Prong collar and a 6 foot leash. Have you ever seen a dog hit the end of a leash on a halti or gentle leader? Can you say broken neck?
References :
June 7th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Yes, a GL and 6-foot-leash (but not a retractable) are fine. Did you follow the instructions with the equipment for acclimating him to it? If not, I would do so. If you don't still have the instructions: hold the GL over his nose (but don't actually but it on) and give him a few treats; do this several times, then actually put it on and give him several treats, then take it off; repeat, gradually increasing the length of time it is on. If you can do this several times a day, not just during walk time, he will more quickly associate that the GL means good things.
Why no retractable leash: they teach a dog that he must pull forward to get anywhere. The leash is always taut when he walks; the only time it is loose is if he is standing still. The GL is designed to stop a dog from pulling on leash. The retractable and the GL are incompatible.
References :
dog trainer
June 8th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Melissa K hit the nail on the head. Do not use a GL with a retractable leash.
References :
June 8th, 2009 at 12:31 am
first off say bye bye to the retractable leash as they do more harm than good. its better to have a leash with a handle that you can wrap around your wrist. and anyways you got your answer in your question where you say he likes a gentle leader, so be gentle just dont use one. best of luck
References :
June 8th, 2009 at 12:36 am
I have Bernese Mtn Dogs and Samoyeds- both breeds bred for pulling.
I train my dogs to walk nicely… initially using a choke or prong collar and then when they are trained, I use a flat buckle collar or soft-slip type collar.
I do NOT use retractable leads. I watched a dog at a dogshow being walked on one of these between buildings… he decided to go romp after another dog, broke the release catch and was hit by a car. I threw mine away after that and use a lunge line if I need something longer than 6 feet.
I worked with Ruth Foster, one of the inventors of the Gentle Leader… for a "normal" dog it should be used as a training tool. It does not have to be an "everytime" forever thing if you actually TRAIN the dog.
My suggestion is that you train your dog to walk nicely on lead… whether that is by taking classes or reading a how-to manual. You'll be happier and so will the dog.
References :
June 8th, 2009 at 12:52 am
Any walking tool should be temporary only. The goal is to transition back to a flat collar without the dog pulling. A retractable leash should never be used with any walking tool. With a GL in particular it can cause neck damage if the dog gains speed and then is suddenly pulled back. In addition, it sends the wrong message to the dog. Used properly a GL can be an invaluable walking tool to help you exercise your dog. Practice loose leash walking toward the end of each exercise walk to help the transition back to a flat collar.
Personally, I use a Sense-ible harness - this keeps my dog from pulling AND I can practice polite walking at the same time. Good luck.
References :
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/commands/loose-leash.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/commands/variations-leash.pdf