I just got a Gentle Leader for my hyperactive dog. She has dominance issues anyway and doesn't look at me as a pack leader and absolutely FOUGHT the leader as soon as I put it on her and adjusted it. It fits very snugly, but she's able to pant easily. She has a long "grin" and the corners of her mouth go past the nose guard when she pants, is this ok? When she's not panting the corners of her mouth sit right where they're supposed to be in relation to the nose strap. Also, is it ok to just leave her in it for a while?
I use the gentle leader on my dogs, and find it the only thing that lets me walk them without major hassles - they weigh 115 and 83 lbs, and I often walk them both at the same time.
When adjusting the muzzle loop, you want enough for them to open their mouths easily, but not so loose they can rake it off with their paw, or by rolling on the ground. My dogs can do what you describe, of having the corner of their mouth slightly behind the loop when they "grin". The neck strap should be fairly snug, and fasten right behind the back of the skull. If that's too loose, they can slip the collar by backing out of it. I also back mine up with a regular choker, and clip the lead to both. Just be sure that when you apply pressure with the lead, it acts on the gentle leader, not the regular collar - that's just there in case they slip the gentle leader. You may not need this with your dog, but I want the added security just in case.
I wouldn't leave it on for extended periods, espeically without supervision. Try putting it on, and spending a few minutes working on some training, like your sit command, or shake, or whatever, just to distract her. Take it off and do another session later. She should learn to accept it without making a big fuss. I don't know if I would try walking her with it until she's gotten used to wearing it.
Good luck with your training.
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June 6th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Personally, I do not like Gentle Leaders. I prefer Halti's (they fit over the muzzle the same way). Gentle Leaders "snap" closed under the chin, while Halti's do not snap closed. Halti's are adjustable so they release tension when your dog is not pulling, which is ideal. Gentle leaders do not adjust, so your dog does not feel the "let up" in tension when they are walking politely.
However, yes, it does sound as though the Gentle Leader is fit perfectly. Please note: any of these leaders are training tools… they are to be used while training ONLY, do not keep the leader on her when you are not training. And yes, it is normal for her to fight it - they do not like the feeling.
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June 6th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I use the gentle leader on my dogs, and find it the only thing that lets me walk them without major hassles - they weigh 115 and 83 lbs, and I often walk them both at the same time.
When adjusting the muzzle loop, you want enough for them to open their mouths easily, but not so loose they can rake it off with their paw, or by rolling on the ground. My dogs can do what you describe, of having the corner of their mouth slightly behind the loop when they "grin". The neck strap should be fairly snug, and fasten right behind the back of the skull. If that's too loose, they can slip the collar by backing out of it. I also back mine up with a regular choker, and clip the lead to both. Just be sure that when you apply pressure with the lead, it acts on the gentle leader, not the regular collar - that's just there in case they slip the gentle leader. You may not need this with your dog, but I want the added security just in case.
I wouldn't leave it on for extended periods, espeically without supervision. Try putting it on, and spending a few minutes working on some training, like your sit command, or shake, or whatever, just to distract her. Take it off and do another session later. She should learn to accept it without making a big fuss. I don't know if I would try walking her with it until she's gotten used to wearing it.
Good luck with your training.
References :
June 6th, 2009 at 8:09 am
I use a Wonder Walker on my dog who has issues with resource guarding and fear aggression (his guarded resource is me) The only issue I've had with it is that there is no way to keep it from tightening too far down and that it doesn't release automatically. If he opens his mouth it will loosen though. Never leave ANY training aid (IE choke chain, prong collar, muzzle, gentle leader etc) on a dog unattended.
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June 6th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I do not like the gentle leader. I think you are not really training your dog with that thing.
My friend used it for a short time with her yellow labrador retriever and her dog has a scar from it on her nose
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