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Dog Toys -Training No Barking Collars - Dog Harness -Clothing
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Dog Harness for Training |
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Better than leather Dog Training Harness
Includes: Headcollar and training guide |
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a. Gentle Leader Headcollar
Packaged for dog owners already familiar with the fitting and uses of Gentle Leader. Includes: Gentle Leader Headcollar and Training Guide.
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b. Gentle Leader Video Starter Kit
Especially packaged for dog owners who have never used Gentle Leader before or who are unfamiliar with how and why it works. Includes: Step-by-Step Training Video, Gentle Leader Headcollar, Matching 4-ft. Leash, Training Guide, and “No! It’s Not a Muzzle” Button.
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c. Gentle Leader Complete System
Ideal for veterinary practices or one-on-one trainer consultations.Includes: Training and Behavior Problem Solving Booklet, Gentle Leader Headcollar, Matching 4-ft. Leash, 10-ft. Indoor Drag Line and “No, It’s Not a Muzzle” Button.
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d. Gentle Leader Headcollar Box
Space-saving small box works well for shelters and vet clinics.Includes: Gentle Leader Headcollar and Training Guide. |
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Why dogs love it ?
Eliminates uncomfortable pressure on the throat. It’s a positive, no-pain option for controlling your dog.
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More cool gentle leader stuff We offer free promotional brochures, as well as foam display heads, brochure holders, training videos, drag lines and buttons at a nominal charge.
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THE PROPER FIT - AN ABSOLUTE MUST!
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Gentle Leader® fits differently than other collars or halters you may have used before! Without a proper fit, you may experience unnecessary problems - excessive pawing, rubbing and resistance, or chafing of the nose. The Nose Loop needs to be as loose and comfortable as possible, moving freely from just in front of the eyes to the beginning of the fleshy part of the nose - but NOT so loose that it can come off. The proper fit of the Nose Loop is totally dependent on the proper fit of the Neck Strap, which must be high at the very top of the neck (touching the skull) and very snug (only one finger barely squeezes underneath) so that it cannot rotate. (If the Neck Strap rotates, so will the Nose Loop, which may cause chafing of the skin.) When properly fitted and viewed from the side, Gentle Leader® will resemble a "V" for "Victory"!, not an "L" for "Loser." |
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The Neck Strap MUST:
Be positioned as high on the neck as possible, directly behind the ears and touching the base of the skull in back, and above the Adam's apple in front. Not be able to rotate around neck. Fit very snugly at top of neck so that you can barely squeeze only one finger underneath, like a belt, watchband or shoe. This is the MOST important part of the entire fitting process! It is different than other collars you may be used to, but does not cause discomfort to your dog. (To better understand, push against the very top of your throat above your Adam's apple; now use the same pressure below your Adam's apple - notice that pressure above is not uncomfortable, but pressure below is!) Please resist the temptation to make the Neck Strap loose - if you loosen it, either your dog will be able to paw the Nose Loop off, or you will wind up making the Nose Loop too tight or the Nose Loop will rotate causing discomfort.
The Nose Loop should:
Be loose and comfortable so that your dog can freely open his mouth (even fetch a ball!).
Be able to move freely from just in front of eyes to beginning of the fleshy (wet) part of nose.
Rest behind the corners of mouth.
Not be so loose that it can be pulled off over the nose (after snap clamp is adjusted).
FITTING STEP BY STEP
Throughout the fitting process and during initial use of the Gentle Leader®, motivate and encourage your dog with praise and special tasty treats. If your dog is especially wiggly, have someone help you by feeding treats while you fit and adjust. |
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1. Attach leash to Control Ring. (Fig. A)
2. Open Neck Strap and hold one end in each hand. Nose Loop and leash should hang down, like the letter (T)(Fig. B)
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  3. Prefit Neck Strap high on the neck touching base of skull in back, with Center Bar Ring in the niche just above the Adam's apple in front. Center Bar Ring should be parallel to neck, not the underside of jawbone. (Fig. C-1)
Neck Strap must be snug so that only one finger can squeeze under it, and it cannot rotate around neck. Gently grasp skin at back of neck and pull downward toward shoulders, while at the same time holding Neck Strap against base of skull - this pulls any excess skin or coat from under the Neck Strap, improving the fit. Check again to be sure that only one finger can barely squeeze under Neck Strap, and tighten if needed. (Fig. C-2) Notice that even though the Neck Strap fits much more snugly than other collars, your dog is comfortable, able to easily pant and shows no signs of distress. Give him a treat and see for yourself that he acts as if nothing is even there! (If using "Buckle"-style Neck Strap, mark the appropriate hole for future reference.)
4. Take Neck Strap off your dog. Slide Adjustable Snap Clamp down to Control Ring (as in Fig. A). (To open, lift tab with thumb, dime or key; to close press tab until it snaps into locked position. The snap is designed to lock firmly into place and not slip - therefore, it requires a bit of pressure to open and close.).
5. Pull Nose Loop up through Center Bar Ring. (Fig. D) |
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  6. With dog at your side or between your legs, hold Nose Loop open. Reach under dog's head to slip Nose Loop onto base of muzzle (Fig. E-1), and give a treat to keep him occupied. Snap Neck Strap high on neck at its prefitted position. (Fig E-2) (Some people find that taking a few moments to gently "massage" their dog's muzzle and cheeks prior to putting on the Nose Loop may help him more quickly accept the new sensation.) |
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  7. Make final adjustment to Nose Loop. It should be behind corners of mouth and loose enough to pull forward to fleshy part of nose, but not so loose that it can be pulled entirely off muzzle. Slide snap clamp up or down to adjust (Fig. F-1). With thumb and index finger, pinch Nose Loop underneath snap clamp, temporarily holding it from moving. Test size of Nose Loop by pulling it forward as far as it will go (Fig. F-2). When it touches the beginning of the fleshy part of the nose, but is not so loose that you can pull it off, close the snap clamp by pressing down on the tab - you'll hear a snap as it locks.
When your dog has reached full growth, you can remove any excess length of Neck Strap. With the Gentle Leader® off your dog, cut the end of the strap with scissors and use a match or lighter flame to seal the cut edge and prevent fraying
CAUTION: Follow instructions carefully when fitting and using on Bulldogs and other breeds with genetically limited airways or flat noses. It is typical for these dogs to frequently experience breathing difficulties when exercising or under stress because of their physically limited airways. If their usual breathing difficulties increase when wearing the headcollar, immediately discontinue and consult your veterinarian. |
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Gentle Leader Headcollar Troubleshooting and Common Questions
At what age can a puppy begin to use a Gentle Leader®?
As early as eight weeks.
How many hours a day can a dog wear the Gentle Leader®?
Up to 18 hours a day, removing it at night.
The dog keeps getting the Gentle Leader® off his nose - should the nose loop be tighter?
Do not immediately tighten the Nose Loop. In almost every case, when a dog gets the Nose Loop off, it is because the Neck Strap is too loose. Check the fit of the neck strap first - high on the neck, directly behind the base of the skull and snug so that you can BARELY get one finger underneath. If you're thinking, "this is too tight," you're probably there! Only after you have the Neck Strap adjusted correctly can you determine if the Nose Loop needs to be tightened or loosened. The Nose Loop rests just behind the corners of the mouth, in front of the eyes. You should be able to pull it forward to the beginning of the fleshy part of the nose, but not all of the way off.
What do I do if at first the dog resists?
The dog may resist the Gentle Leader® by pawing at it, flopping on the ground, etc. Remember that he is not in pain, he is simply resisting the new message telling him he is no longer in control. Don't try to "comfort" the dog with petting or soothing phrases like, "It's OK, it won't hurt you, I'm here..." If this is done while he is resisting, you are actually telling him that his resistance is what you want - you'll be reinforcing his attempt to control the situation. Save the praise and stroking for when he is no longer resisting and is calmly walking, sitting, standing or lying down, and keep a happy and upbeat voice.
For the dog who resists, we've found the easiest way to help him quickly adjust is to distract him from his attempts to fight or pout and to encourage a desired behavior - namely, walking and sitting. The closed hand target along with tasty treats and "happy talk" are great tools for getting him up and moving or calmly sitting. Reactionary behavior will fade as the dog acknowledges leadership. |
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Some people prefer to let the dog have a few minutes to adapt to the new feel of Gentle Leader® before making the final Nose Loop adjustment. If the final Nose Loop adjustment has not been made and the dog begins to paw, it's very important that the slack is taken up on the leash so that the dog cannot get the Nose Loop off. If he gets it off once, he'll fight ten times harder to get it off the next time! (People with less "hands on" experience in this type of situation may be better off making the final Nose Loop adjustment before attempting to walk/sit/walk/sit, etc.)
Caution: A dog needs to open his mouth to pant/breathe during physical activity or stress. Do not keep a constant pull on the leash for more than about 30 seconds. Your dog will be able to open his mouth as needed when there is no tension on the leash.
What do I do when the dog continues to struggle with the Gentle Leader®?
First, check the fit. In many cases, it is because the Nose Loop is too tight. People often mistakenly make the Nose Loop too tight because they have made the Neck Strap too loose. If you loosen the Nose Loop, check the fit of the Neck Strap, which will probably be too loose now. Snug up the Neck Strap and readjust the Nose Loop.
Next, make sure there is not constant pressure on the leash. It is important to release the tension on the leash immediately whenever the dog is performing the right behavior. Remember that tension on the leash applies pressure on the muzzle telling the dog this is not the right behavior. A loose leash releases pressure and tells the dog, "Yes, this is what I want you to do!"
The dog has developed a sore on the front of his neck!
A "hot spot" can develop if the headcollar is left on the dog for days without taking it off at night. The hot spot develops at the FRONT of the neck just above the Adam's Apple. This is a moist area that develops as three things coincide: the area under the front of the Neck Strap excludes light and ventilation and the normal bacteria of the skin develop in the presence of the increased temperature and lack of light.
Remove the Gentle Leader® immediately, and allow the hot spot to heal. Wash the Gentle Leader® before using it again (it is safe to machine wash and dry or drip dry). When reintroducing the Gentle Leader®, be sure to take it off each night. We recommend that the Gentle Leader® not be left on any longer than 18 hours per day.
I've heard the Gentle Leader® can cause neck/spine injuries.
The co-developer of the Gentle Leader®, Dr. R.K. Anderson, has investigated rumors that wearing a Gentle Leader® can cause injury to the dog's neck or vertebra. None of the rumors could be substantiated - not one case of neck or vertebra injury could be documented as being caused by the Gentle Leader®. Dr. Anderson has investigated all of the injury reports that have come to his attention and continues to actively solicit any injury report for his personal investigation. Much of the early research used in developing the product was conducted in leading veterinary schools. During the past few years of use, behaviorists, veterinarians and trainers have come to recognize the inherent safety of the Gentle Leader® Headcollar when used according to instructions and increasingly recommend the Gentle Leader® as a safe and humane training aid.
The Nose Loop has excessively rubbed the dog's nose hair or skin.
Excessive rubbing can occur when the Neck Strap is not properly fitted (too loose) allowing rotation of the Nose Loop. It will also occur if the handler jerks or yanks the leash to the side causing the Nose Loop to rotate.
Remove Gentle Leader® immediately and allow any skin abrasions to heal. Wash the headcollar before using again (it is safe to machine wash and dry or drip dry). When reintroducing the Gentle Leader®, make sure the Neck Strap is snug (one finger!) and the Nose Loop is behind the lips and can move freely to the end of the nose, but neither the handler nor the dog can pull the nose strap off. While the key is the proper snug fit of the neck strap and proper use to avoid rotation (no jerking or yanking to the side), a strip of Mole Skin can be used on the underside of the nose loop with the soft side of the Mole Skin against the dog. |
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The dog won't move or play - he just "pouts" - when the Gentle Leader® is on.
Don't buy into it! Trying to soothe the dog with "it's okay," petting and eye contact inadvertently reinforces the "pout". Save the words, petting, treats and eye contact for when the dog is behaving the way you want him to.
When the dog is subdued and quiet, increase his activity level by using a high, happy voice, animated gestures (in other words, acting the fool) and encouraging him with toys, really tasty treats (freeze dried liver treats are often the "million dollar doggie reward") or encouraging him to stand up, walk or come using your target hand. Try creating a "treat trail" on the ground, and the dog is rewarded while walking from treat to treat. Work with him when he's hungry - right before his normal feeding time. Plan on a number of short (two-minute) practice sessions before an actual walk.
Completely withdraw all attention - no eye contact, no verbal cues, no touching - or better yet, walk away. He gets attention - eye contact, praise, petting and sometimes food - when he's not fussing with the headcollar or is displaying desired behavior. Make sure good things happen when the Gentle Leader is on - eating, playing, petting. Do things that are fun for him while he has the headcollar on - going to the park, lake, pet store, for a ride in the car.
If he refuses to budge, try "rocking" him like a stuck car with a pull and release, pull and release (no jerking) on the leash. Squat down and encourage him with your voice and target hand. Immediately release the tension when he starts to move, praise and treat.
Remember that the dog is not in pain, he is simply resisting the new message telling him he is no longer in control - the handler's patience and persistence will pay off!
Should I recommend a Gentle Leader® for a shy dog?
Leading behaviorists and trainers report that Gentle Leader® is particularly effective in helping fearful and shy dogs feel more secure and calm in situations that previously produced anxiety. With Gentle Leader®, your dog instinctively senses and responds to your leadership, allowing him to relax and let you be responsible for his welfare. When fear and anxiety are reduced, your dog will learn faster and be a more rewarding companion.
When can an owner go back to a traditional collar?
This is a common question, and the answer is as individual as the handler and the dog. One of the most unique features of Gentle Leader® is that it can convert to a traditional-style collar at anytime. (In fact, Gentle Leader® is the only headcollar that can be converted in this way.) The handler might choose to use Gentle Leader® as a headcollar for only a short period of time to deal with one specific behavior problem, then convert it to a traditional-style collar from that point on. After the initial training period, the handler might use it primarily as a traditional-style collar, converting it back to a headcollar in those certain situations when more control is needed. For many owners, Gentle Leader® provides such ease of control that the headcollar option is their permanent choice throughout the life of their dogs. (There are some who feel that because it never chokes, Gentle Leader® is more humane than collars of any style and, therefore, replaces a collar for daily wear, even without behavior problems.)
The owner is the one who must make the determination as to when and if a change is in the best interests of the dog and family. Chances are that an elderly couple with an energetic Great Dane will benefit from using Gentle Leader® forever! If the owner has a young Lab who loves to jump up on people, the Gentle Leader® might be used with the Indoor Drag Line for a couple of months up to a year to continue to reinforce "sitting to greet." Again, it all depends on each situation. A simple guideline is that Gentle Leader® should be used whenever the owner/and or family members want to have greater control of the dog.
When an owner is happy with the level of control and would like to see how his dog does with a standard collar, Gentle Leader® offers the convenience of convertibility. Simply use the Neck Strap of Gentle Leader® as you would a regular collar, without placing the Nose Loop around the dog's nose. Attach the leash to the Control Ring, and the Nose Loop becomes an extension of the leash to the collar. If you are out for a walk and find the need for more control, just slip the Nose Loop back over your dog's nose.
Note: When using the Nose Loop as an extension of the leash, be sure to slide the snap clamp all the way up to the Center Bar Ring to prevent chewing. At $19.88 . |
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