What type of lead do you use on you doodle?

[Karen & Lucy]

When Lucy was just a wee pup, I would walk her on a leash with a flat collar and as she grew pulled harder and harder. I thought, if she is pulling me like this now what will she be like at 50#'s and more. I bought several collars & harnesses and she did not do any better. I finally bought a Halti which is the same thing as a Gentle Leader. She didn't like it at first, but was a completely different dog walker on a leash using the Halti. I then took her to obediance school and she did marvalous. She is now 2 1/2 and still does not like it too well, but she tolerates it. And still is so good with it on. Anybody else use the Halti or Gentle Leader??????? What do ya think?????

[Danielle]

I also use the Easywalk Harness and found that it is very effective. I got it as a last resort after Koda got to be about 70 lbs and would pull me down the stairs from our condo so fast I had to literally run or I would be on my butt. Then I was using a regular harness. Once I switched to the Easywalk it was like night and day. I had my control back!

I highly recommend the harness. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, the lead clips on in the front/chest area so if the dog pulls from in front of you, they are pulled in a way that causes them to turn toward you.

Koda is now over 80 lbs and that harness still works wonders! I always feel as though I have control over him which was something I was nervous about with a halti type harness being that he is so much stronger than I am. Haha :)

[Nancy & Bisbee]

How very timely this discussion is. Bisbee is just shy of 6 months and is a puller. We start training next week and the trainer suggested using a head collar (before Bisbee we used the pronged collar without success--he would still pull in public situations). I researched online and decided to try the Canny Collar. It fits around the neck like a regular collar with a slip line that fits over the nose and attaches behind the head. It works on pressure and release not a muzzle because he can eat, drink and pant freely. Anyway, it came in the mail today and we took our first walk this afternoon. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! NIGHT AND DAY! He pranced along beside me, applied the pressure himself and learned quite quickly how it worked. Now he did try to paw it off at first but, with a gentle upward pull he stuck it out and did beautifully. This evening we took another "walk" and I was so encouraged. I am hoping this is a learning tool and that he will be able to walk on his regular leash..on his own. We'll see, but for now I think we will stick with the Canny Collar. Of course, we've only used it twice and not in a public situation such as a store with distractions like lots of people and other critters.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Keep in mind that there is more than one type of Gentle Leader harness; there is a discussion here on DK in the "reviews" section about the GL "Easy Walk" harness, which does NOT involve any kind of head-gear or muzzle apparatus, nothing on the head or face at all. The leash attaches to an attachment at the front of the dog's chest. If you look at the reviews, you will see that more than 1 of us calls it a "lifesaver." it stops the pulling immediately, and won't cause the "muzzle" reaction from others that has been mentioned...I have never heard of a dog objecting to 'wearing' it.

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Connor walked like a perfect gentleman on a loose lead & flat collar until he was 7 months old. Then he starting pulling like a maniac. I tried everything to get him back on track but got tired of having a sore arm. I bought an EZ Walk harness. He did great on that for about 3-4 weeks, then decided that although he couldn't run with it on, he could still pull. So, I crossed to the dark side (LOL) and bought a Gentle Leader that is almost the same color as his hair. His face is really fuzzy so it doesn't show up too much. He is not fond of it, but walks like a champ with it on. I can take him ANYWHERE. If people ask, I just tell them it is a training aid to keep him walking nicely. We start intermediate training classes 10/05 and will be working on the flat collar and loose lead again, though. :-)

Just make sure it is fitted correctly so it doesn't make the dog's face look distorted. :-)

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

I have used the Gentle leader and Halti for Payton (non-LD). I love it! It took some work to get him to like it, now he puts his head in it for me. I think he loves it because he LOVES his walks.It works very well for me.
I have heard the chest halti works well too.
I do not find people looking at me funny now... When we 1st started using it(years and years ago), we sure did.People thought it was a muzzle. I see a lot people walking their dogs with them on.
When Payton was getting used to it and he would do what I call the "spaz", I would not stop and just keep walking. He quickly figured out that it would not make me stop.
One thing that I love is... Traffic leash,I use it when I walk the dogs. It is a leash about 14in long. I have one dog on each side and we do our 2 1/2mile walk. When I walk the dogs it is for exercise not for leisure.
Both dogs walk very well on a long leash also. (Payton as long as he has the leader on)

Jordan has always used a flat collar. I think it is because I started training when she was so young, she never had chance to pull me and get away with it.