I was recommended by another dog owner to get a gentle collar. This is wonderful and I can handle Rosie far far better with it amongst other dogs and people (although occasionally she'll still lose the plot and launch). My question is.....how tight should it be? And when will she get used to it...she keeps dragging her head along the floor to get it off and just looks generally forlorn when I slip it on. Been using it for about two weeks. I'm pregnant too so really finding it tricky to cope with her being too bouncy so really want the gentle lead to work as I cans age her much better when this is on. In a nutshell....I love it - she hates it. Any advice? She's 6 months now.
Re: Gentle leads I'm afraid I've only used normal collars and slip leads so can't help you with the gentle collar but I just wanted to say I too was worried about walking Riley through my pregnancy so I practised his heelwork every day to make sure he knew he didn't get to move a step forward unless he was by my side. Whichever type of lead or harness you end up using I would really recommend a few minutes as often as you can manage just reinforcing your heelwork. We did ours off lead in the house and garden as well as out and about, I'd ask him to heel as we went from room to room or heel out to the garden for a loo break in the day. We'd fit in little sessions all over the place Good luck with Rosie and your new addition! ;D
Re: Gentle leads I already do heel work with her without the gentle lead. About half an hour a day. It's slow progress but she's not bad. Until we see another person/dog that is. I'll eventually be doing less of this as my bump just gets in the way when she launches herself. Plus I'm worried I'll hurt myself as she's big now. It's the school run first thing and at three o'clock where I need the gentle collar. And I've started using it when walking to off lead locations now too - like walking to the woods etc where I didn't before - just easier/more confident I can handle her when it's on. My question is more about her tolerating it (will she ever? Do I just persevere?) and how tight it should be (as worried it isn't fitted properly and that's why she hates it). Thank you
Re: Gentle leads Try an all in one Gencon, which is similar but simpler and the dogs don't seem to mind it. I certainly found it much better than other makes.
Re: Gentle leads We used to use a figure 8 rope lead which I don't think is quite the same, but same idea with a strap over the nose. It was recommended for our dog class. I think some dogs never got used to it, but you could tell that some dogs only had this on for class so did a lot of rubbing. We found Lilly took about a week or so of regular use to stop her rubbing it off. She still will now if we use it and she is just sitting on grass, but to be honest we mostly don't need it now, just if we are in town. In your situation I think you need to come first. Usually we do whats best for our dogs, but......you are naturally going to protect yourself, and if you are pulled you are going to let go - a toss up between putting you and baby at risk, or your dog at risk maybe running into traffic. If it was me, I would persevere with the gentle leader if it gives you more control. That has to be what you need right now to make you all safe. Just my thoughts.
Re: Gentle leads Thanks drjs, that pretty much sums up how I feel. I'll keep the gentle lead as a plan b but gave bought a no pull harness today which looks quite comfy. Will try it out later. My only worry is that I'll have no control over her licking launching head....but we'll see. Thanks everyone for your advice. She pulled me all over this morning (with just a collar and lead during lead training) on a walk over the moor. This repetition of heel is getting on my nerves now...! Been doing it for months still basic progress and even less when another person/dog comes by. Maybe my patience is dwindling in account of being pregnant, tired and cumbersome. Maybe she can tell and is playing up more, who knows. I always knew the teenage phase would be the most difficult. Xx
Re: Gentle leads Jennyann,I've had lead walking nightmares,my lead walking has to be very managed,I had to go back to the beginning and use a different command Walk instead of Heel........lead walking makes me miserable as I'm still like a broken record,walk,walk,walk....so I know exactly what you mean about the command repetition,But give in or get fed up and I was right back to square one.I think it's just perseverance but it's not something I feel we will ever excel in but it's a lot better.I've only skim read your posts,been off for 2 days and I shouldn't really be on now ;D ....I used lots of harness ,leads,gentle walkers......all work but again,don't make my mistake and let it mask the problem .....keep persevering with the training and don't let the tool you are using make you think you have dog that doesn't pull......
Re: Gentle leads Bought a no pull harness from petsathome today and it has made a world of difference. I'll keep with the lead training but for school trips and walking in busy areas it is really good. Thanks for your advice everyone. Your support is great especially when you feel at the end of your tether sometimes! Xx
