UPDATE: How long before your dood tolerated the Gentle Leader?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We broke down and bought the Gentle Leader for Peri (goes around the snout).  I know, I know, it "masks" the pulling that happens, but we had had enough.  Right now, it is too hard to train both dogs on a leash at once. 

 

So, DH had Peri fit for one on Saturday.  Our trainer told us to put it on her around the house, let her eat in it, etc...DH did this while I was out of town.  She is pitiful when we put it on her.  She just lies down and pouts.  DH called me during lunch and said she was asleep on his feet pouting with it on (we leave it on for about 20-30 minutes off and on to get her used to it).

 

Yesterday I took her on her first walk with it and the first 1/2 mile was terrible. She wanted to lie down and pull it off. Finally she started heeling perfectly, but would still end up behind me and jump/put her front paws up my legs - telling me "mom please...".  We did make it over 2 miles (surprisingly).

 

We are doing this for her safety and our sanity because she pulls so much.  Do any of you have tips to help her tolerate it or is this just something they will get used to????

 

Please keep in mind we do frequent walks, at least 3-4 per day for 15 minutes each. Tonight it is gorgeous and I am doing a 3 miler with the dogs.  So no pulling is a must.  We live in a condo.

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Update 9/30:  After much thought, I decided Peri was not going to train me into feeling sorry for her and taking the head harness off.  Maybe I have some pride???  Anyway, I set out at 5pm last night for a 3 mile walk on the greenway. Told DH to hang with Taquito.  Dropped liver treats in my pocket.  Put the pink gentle leader on her and rubbed her ears, talked in that annoying baby voice with some high pitches, gave her a liver treat, and we set out.  Starting out was rough - she scooted in the grass and tried to paw off the halter.  As soon as she would stand up and concentrate on me and walking, she got the "yes, good girl" and a liver treat. Once we hit the pavement on the greenway, she was perfect. PERFECT the whole time.  I kept yesing and treating when she would focus on me.  She even peed on the walk (breakthrough with harness on)!  At the end, there is a big field (where we start out, right outside of my condo).  I spent 10 minutes walking her in grass - she did not paw at it once.  DH did not believe me until we took her out later - no pawing.  Same thing this morning. 

WHO'S TRAINING WHO NOW??  That walk was the most pleasant, perfect walk I have EVER had with any dog.

[Taylor & Huff]

He never got used to it. I would try the harness if I were you. It works. Huff had one until he chewed it up.:) haha

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

See update above - SUCCESS :)

[Jeannine Smith]

Fantastic...perhaps I should try your approach with my daisy doodle!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Great job, I'm impressed!

[Candy & Hudson]

Good for you!! Very inspiring! :)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

What to go!!! I'm so happy for both of you!!! Good job!! Another step forward in human-canine communication!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Terrific! You're beginning to sound like Adina in training mode.

[Taylor & Huff]

That is great:)

[Jessica & Lucie]

I've used the gentle leader with lucie since she was 4 months old, and it truly has been a lifesaver (except fir the fact she wont heal without it). Even though she has been wearing it for a year on our walks, she will still occasionally protest when I put it on her, roll around on the ground and try to take it off with her paws (which she can do), but this is usually only when she is very excited and doesn't last for more than a minute. While we are walking she completely forgets about it. I think its partly for my safety as well as her, as I wouldn't want to take any chances with stairs, busy streets, etc.
We tried the harness but didnt work for us because it rubbed under her arms. The gentle leader has been great for both of us. One thing I will say is I don't fit it the way they say, I alway leave the nose band completely loose and I don't think it effects how well it works, it means she can however still carry balls, sticks, and other fun found treasures on our walks.

[Ann]

After reading all the reviews here I did get the East Walk & have had the best week of walks ever with my pooch! It works wonderfullly!!! Thanks everyone!

[Debbie Durante]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the halti head collar and the gentle leader.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Halti:
Gentle Leader Head harness:

Gentle leader Easy Walk harness: