Gentle guider

Has anyone used one of these on their dogs? From what I can tell it is like a muzzle but has a band that ties somehow into their collar for walking, a small tug and it brings the dogs snout down to train them to stop. Reason for asking was a few nights ago I was bringing Nalla in on her leash and she lunged foward twisting my back (not a good thing had spine surgery last Nov and have 4 rods in my lower back) and bringing me down on my side. Went and got checked out at the drs yesterday, hardware is still in place and screws are good, but have severe muscle strain and possible tendon strain. Have had my happy butt in bed yesterday today and probably tomorrow. But back to my question, the nurse said she has used it to control the lunging forward. So please if anyone has used one of these or has a suggestion for something else let me know as I really need to protect myself with her (she is about 70 pounds of nothing but muscle).

I think its called a Gentle Leader. A woman in my ob class had a big boxer mix who would tug on her, and the trainer let her try one and it was like night and day. It sounds like it might be a good choice for you. I've never used one personally.

With your medical situation, I'd say try a gentle leader. It definately makes it so the dog can't pull. Keep in mind that some dogs tolerate it better than others.

I wouldn't use it as a permenant fix, though. I generally don't like gentle leaders. It's mainly a restraint device, not a training tool. They make it so the dog CAN'T pull, but do nothing to teach the dog that it SHOULDN'T pull. The same goes for those no-pull harnesses. They're quick fixes that work, but I don't think they compare with having a well-trained dog. I'd switch to something else and do some training with your doggie if/when you become physically able. But if you'll always have a touchy back, it might be safer to stay with the leader.

Make sure you go for a Gentle Leader rather than the competitor the halti. The Gentle Leader does keep dogs from pulling hard, but the halti doesn't. My mother's dog had a halti and pulled just as hard on it as on her collar.

There is also an Easy Walk harness I've heard good things about. The only downside I've found to it is it doesn't really fit on skinnier deep chested breeds.

--Mia

Great, no I just need it for when I am handling her as she is a puller and has alot of strength behind her. I will check it out next week as I wont be needing it for a bit since nalla is getting fixed right now and will be down for a few. Thanks for the input.

Just remember though that it does require training to teach the dog to like it and walk nicely with it on. Many dogs absolutely hate the feel and spend most of the time just trying to rub it off. Let her wear it around the house, give her lots of treats when you put it on.

yeah, oakley used to have it too...it def does not teach them to pull when its not on...he was very trick...like "ooh lemme smell this grass...OH WAIT, haha tricked ya!" then wham, with a swipe of his paw, he's get it off...just make sure you actually watch the lil dvd that comes with it, lol, cause for the first few times, we didnt have it on exactly right...its pretty tricky.

and yah, make it a fun thing...as much as oakley hated it, he still liked seeing it, cause it meant he got to go for a walk!

I think Gentle Leaders are great for some dogs. I have had a lot of success with them. I like the fact that they are very effective yet humane. The dogs can still pant and bark etc. I would always laugh if I walked my dog in a gentle leader. People would always think it's a muzzle and I would say "no, he can still bite you." JK of coarse!!!!

sadly even the gentle leader doesn't always stop the dog from pulling. when i tried it on quigley during his worst "puppy pulling phase" he just let his head be turned sideways and happily continued to pull.

it's important to find the right thing for the individual dog, and for some the gentle leader works, for others the halti, and for some a no-pull harness (like this one for example).

i tried several of these training aids (including the sporn halter, which was a total waste of money for us) and in the end the solution that worked best was a prong collar.