The Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness saved my relationship w/ my puppy!

[Marcy, Apollo & Phoebe]

Apollo is doing great! I can't believe he's almost 8 months old. My kids who were 2 and 5 when we brought him home are now 3 and 6 and they adore Apollo. I've been missing on Doodle Kisses, because I've been recovering from major surgery over the summer. I couldn't walk Apollo for about 8 weeks, so my husband had to walk him. He would come in complaining about how awful their walks were becoming with all of the leash pulling. One day he actually gave up during a walk and just let him run off-leash in the back yard for exercise.

So about 4 weeks ago I got approval from my doctors to start walking him again. I had no idea what I was in for. Let me say that I am very petite--just barely over 5' tall and 100 lbs. So I was excited to take Apollo out for our first walk together in months. Well, he decided he didn't want to leave the driveway and then when I finally got him to the end of our driveway he pulled me so  hard that I fell out of my shoes and into the street! It was a sight. I was on the ground holding onto his leash for dear life, so that he wouldn't get hit by a car. Once I got myself up I gave up and took him inside. I noticed that he had grown a bit during that 8 week period, but I wasn't prepared for how strong he had become--or how weak I had become! For the remainder of the week, he played off-leash in the backyard for exercise. I felt so defeated!

So I live in a neighborhood w/ tons of dogs. I watched my neighbors walk their dogs w/ ease and felt jealous! I searched for posts on here and came across recommendations for the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness. Then I saw a neighbor walking FOUR dogs at once and I had to stop and ask her what was the trick. She recommended the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness, too! So I went out and got one. I had been reluctant to spend the $30 becasue I've bought other harnesses that were a waste of money. So I put it on Apollo--it was super easy to put on! And we headed out for our walk. He did his initial pulling, but one tug of the leash stopped him immediately. We had a pleasant walk. So pleasant that by the end of our walk we were skipping side-by-side like best friends! That was the best $30 I've ever spent on him! So now it's been 3 weeks since we've been using the harness. We walk several times a day. And I would say that he does very little pulling now and I can relax the leash as I walk more. This harness saved my relationship w/ Apollo! I was beyond frustrated trying to walk him and now we both look forward to our time walking together. I just had to share! I'm still working on his excitement when he sees a random squirrel or when our kids decide to join us on one of our walks. I'll take what I can get for now! Baby steps...

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

It's Easy Walk or bust for us. It works so beautifully!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I have used the gentle leader and gentle harness on Murphy since he was a puppy and pulled terribly. Bella doesn't know any thing else because I started using it right away. They both walk calmly and closely and stop with a hand movement when out on the street. I don't think I will ever even try to walk them without it as it works so well.

[Lynda Kamrath]

We have the prong collars, but I don't think that would be appropriate to use with the bike tow leash.  It would slow them down for sure, but I don't think I could do that.  I have used the prong collars in the same area when we were walking to keep them in line.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yesterday we walked the dogs down by the beach (on a trail) with the bike tow leashes.  Groucho Too was pulling so hard that he was sounding like a steam engine.  I did not even have to pedal, but it scared me.  It is an area with lots of rabbits and ground squirrels so they were on the lookout.  We decided after that that it would be better to have them hooked up to a harness than a collar.  We had one that fits Harpo, but I will get another to fit Groucho (he's 90 pounds).  Maybe the GL will be the best to use with the bike tow leash.  I will keep you all infomed, but fill me in on any information that I should have.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We used the GL and the EW collars (not harnesses) for a long time but our dog NEVER quit hating either and they were ok but not fabulous, so we finally went to a prong collar and it is working well for us.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We used the GL for a long time but our dog NEVER quit hating it so we finally went to a prong collar and it is working well for us.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

So happy this leash worked for you...my daughter uses it on both her dogs and loves them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've used the Easy Walk harness for almost 7 years and I swear by it. Glad it worked for you, too.

[Pam & Trixie]

Im so glad the EW is working good for you!

We had one for our last dog that I tried after I had surgery & it was wonderful, It worked perfect for us.

 

We have one for Trixie & it does not work, I am so frustrated.  I have adjusted it many times...even with their video online & still she pulls.

 

Has anyone used an EW & not had it work...But eventually they got it to work?

 

[Brandi]

I use the gentle leader too, but I chose the head collar gentle leader.  I feel much better having full control over their head.  Def the best thing in the world.  It changed my life too :)