Gentle Leader put me in control during dog walks again


Posted on Sep 19, 2008
By Marti Englert

Comments(1)

Even after puppy classes, where the basics are established, it was a horror show to walk my Wheaten Terrier, Bob - or River Run's Matta Hobbit, as he's known in the American Kennel Club registry.

He was a model dog until a squirrel or a cat appeared and then it was chaos - pulling, barking and jumping from a dog who'd grown very strong. Oh yes, and the gagging. Bob pulling and me pulling back so it looked - and sounded - to passersby like I was choking my dog to death.

Our so-called walks became defensive maneuvers, with Bob on a short leash and me trying to spot Bob's furry targets before he did. Our walks were not relaxing and certainly not fun.

Dog Training Leash and Collar: Gentle Leader Deluxe at FetchdogFor no reason other than ignorance, I avoided puppy training collars and humane dog training collars, such as Gentle Leader and Gentle Leader Deluxe until the day Bob jerked me so hard my elbow was inflamed for a week.

After finally doing my homework on dog head collars, I settled on the Gentle Leader Deluxe because I like the padded -- and decorative -- nose strap. After I watched this Youtube video, I took Bob to an empty school playground - fewer distractions - put on the head collar and hoped for the best.

He fidgeted for a few minutes, but once he realized I was willing to let him have more leash than usual he walked on and, by the end of the first walk, forgot he was wearing the Gentle Leader Deluxe.

Now, our walks are fun, relaxed and we feel connected rather than me just feeling like a cussing hitching post. My dog no longer gets hysterical and chokes himself at the end of the leash and I no longer contort in pain from my dog's pulling and jerking. Calm is good. Very good.


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Comments
We can't get a Gentle Leader with a head collar because our Boston Terrier doesn't have much of a nose. However, I am going to try the other Gentle Leader harness because we have already worn through two Puppia's!
Posted By Soxy
on Sep 19, 2008
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