I picked up the gentle leader last Friday and used it over the weekend. It didn't work out so well.
I had intended to buy a prong collar, but backed out of it once I saw it and became quite confused about how it would work. I then saw the gentle leader and figured, "what the heck, might as well try it." Now I wish I didn't
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Her biggest problem while on our walks is her dog aggression (and motorcycles and joggers). I had heard that prongs would be bad for aggression, and the gentle leader perfect for handling aggression. Ugh. Not with Taedyn. Instead when she'd lose it, she'd start flopping around like a fish out of water. It was horrible, I had even less control over her than I did using the easy walk harness.
She *still* pulled. She figured out how to hold her head just right so she could still forge ahead, closing the nose loop shut in the process. Additionally, when she'd get stressed (like seeing dogs, joggers or motorcycles) she would start heavily panting with her tongue hanging out. But, then when she'd pull, it'd shut her mouth and she'd bite her tongue!
I watched the DVD and read further information online from various sources, and fitted it just as it was recommended. However, Taedyn's reaction was certainly not one someone mentioned! Pulling was touted as impossible, yet Taedyn pulled anyway.
I only used it for two days, and Taedyn now has a raised welt across her muzzle. Even though it's been two days since I last tried it, it appears the welt is growing. Hopefully it will go away shortly, if not it'll be cause for a trip to the vet.
I then decided to really get the prong collar this time. I read up on how it is fitted and how to use it, and discovered much better results. When passing a dog/motorcycle/jogger she simply let out a low groaning growl without any lunging or barking. I was also able to walk her most of the time using just one finger on the leash!
I think that the gentle leader will still have it's place as a training tool. I may use it as backup when walking in the city, and when working on her rock obsession. Essentially instances where I need more fine tune control of her head. However, it's not a good tool for training Taedyn where there is a risk of coming across one of her triggers.
I had intended to buy a prong collar, but backed out of it once I saw it and became quite confused about how it would work. I then saw the gentle leader and figured, "what the heck, might as well try it." Now I wish I didn't
Her biggest problem while on our walks is her dog aggression (and motorcycles and joggers). I had heard that prongs would be bad for aggression, and the gentle leader perfect for handling aggression. Ugh. Not with Taedyn. Instead when she'd lose it, she'd start flopping around like a fish out of water. It was horrible, I had even less control over her than I did using the easy walk harness.
She *still* pulled. She figured out how to hold her head just right so she could still forge ahead, closing the nose loop shut in the process. Additionally, when she'd get stressed (like seeing dogs, joggers or motorcycles) she would start heavily panting with her tongue hanging out. But, then when she'd pull, it'd shut her mouth and she'd bite her tongue!
I watched the DVD and read further information online from various sources, and fitted it just as it was recommended. However, Taedyn's reaction was certainly not one someone mentioned! Pulling was touted as impossible, yet Taedyn pulled anyway.
I only used it for two days, and Taedyn now has a raised welt across her muzzle. Even though it's been two days since I last tried it, it appears the welt is growing. Hopefully it will go away shortly, if not it'll be cause for a trip to the vet.
I then decided to really get the prong collar this time. I read up on how it is fitted and how to use it, and discovered much better results. When passing a dog/motorcycle/jogger she simply let out a low groaning growl without any lunging or barking. I was also able to walk her most of the time using just one finger on the leash!
I think that the gentle leader will still have it's place as a training tool. I may use it as backup when walking in the city, and when working on her rock obsession. Essentially instances where I need more fine tune control of her head. However, it's not a good tool for training Taedyn where there is a risk of coming across one of her triggers.
