[JKlatsky]

We tried the gentle leader and I had the same experience with the indentation on the hair. It got so bad that it was actually rubbing the hair off. In my case, it was easier on me than on the dog. She couldn't pull but it wasn't because she didn't want to. It's hard to get weight and power behind her nose like she could on a regular flat collar or harness. I thought it was much easier on my arms but she hated it and would take it off whenever she could. I also didn't like it because I didn't feel like she was learning anything. She had to stay with me, but I could go back to a regular collar because she'd just be pulling again. Very stubborn girl. And of course there's the stupid people who think it's a muzzle. I've seen people who have had success but I was never able to get her to stop moving into it, so we were forever walking with it pulling on her nose. She reminded of a horse when you've got the reins tight, nose to chest.

On the advice of a dog trainer we were seeing who also worked with Police Dogs and other high drive breeds, we went to the prong and were able to actually teach loose leash walking and switch back to the flat collar within 4 months.