Our Gordon Setter pup (18 weeks old) has always pulled on her lead in spite of us employing the various suggestions on this site. She is a very intelligent, determined young lady who is able to 'train' us before we realise it! So I suggested a gentle leader after reading about its success here. Ok now we have a pup who is frantically pulling backwards!! She puts a paw over the lead and everything stops while we disentangle her every two or three steps. When we get to the long grass on her walk she burrows through it emerges wet and covered in all sorts. When we return home the gentle leader is left on for about an hour, during which time she usually goes off in a sulk until we take it off. Today when we released her, dear Bess ( who has been house trained since 14 weeks) went into her crate and peed as if to say 'That's what I think of it!!'
We have been using it for three days, how long before we can hope for some improvement? We have tried treats when she has it on but she just eats them and continues as before. We are also going to training classes. All suggestions gratefully received.
Sandy

I have found that the trick with the head collars is to walk very briskly forward so that the pawing and backing up does not work. do not stop to disentagle her, and if needed she will have to walk on two lesg, but forward she WILL go!!!!

When she realises that all her antics will get her no-where she will give in and walk nicely, especially if you praise her, and offer a distraction of a titbit in front of her nose.

I wouldn't leave it on her in the house, but when free in the park leave it on, once you have checked that it is adjusted correctly so that it can't be chewed or gotten off when too loose aroundthe neck. She will likely stop tunneling with it then as she would rather enjoy the usual off lead activities of sniffing and running about.

Hi

I obtained a Gentle Leader for my pup who is now 5 months. She is a Mini Schnauzer so doesnt yank at my arm, but it's still 16 lbs pulling at my arm (and her throat). We have tried the techniques suggested on this board, but they havent worked, possibly becuase only some of her walks are with me alone, other times we have various children etc. tagging along which can be destraction!

Anyway, Poppy hasnt been too happy with the GL this week. I have used it once a day for the last 4 days, she sometimes cries when she sees things of interest and cant pull as hard. Today, I took her out and continually praised her and gave her treats and stopped for a stroke. By the end of the walk today she did seem a little more relaxed, trotting along beside me with a loose lead :-). I am seriously hoping that this is the turn around point. I will be walking her on it tomorrow morning and will let you know.

She has also done a little bit of the pulling backwards, but if I turn and bend down a little and call her she usually takes of again. And, she has been occassionally walking along with her snout on the grass trying to wide the collar off (she also does this on the carpet before we leave). I guess it's a bit like getting used to a collar all over again!

If anyone has any other tips, it would be v. useful.

BFN
Karen.

I pulled this from one of my other threads, hope it may be of some help.

I have a strong 3 yr old lab who untill recently had a problem with pulling and not being able to walk to heel when off the lead.

To solve it i first bought a gun dog rope lead ( it acts like a choker but without the chain ). It has a rubber stop on it so it can be positioned for any dogs size of neck. The best thing that has been reccomended is to place the rope high up the dogs neck, just below the backs of their ears and put the rubber stop close to its neck but slack enough so it can be used as a choker. The reason for putting it so high up is that it is more sensitive near their ears and they are less inclined to pull.

Assuming that your dog knows what you mean when you ask it to 'heel' or 'heel in', if it starts to pull on the lead ask it to heel in, and if it doesnt give it a brisk pull on the lead, and then repeat the command.

Also what i found to work is to constantly ask your dog to 'heel in' whether it is doing so or not so your dog knows what is expected and praise it accordianly. - In accordance with you asking it to heel in, pat your leg at the same time encouraging it to stay by your side.

Again, once it has started to master the idea, walk around in big circles initially with your dog on the outside ( so it is always behind you ) and ask it to heel in and pat your leg. The initial reaction will be for your dog to continue straight on but hopefully it will learn to be by your side. This is also a good idea as it reminds the dog that it cant ' switch off ' and continue in a straight line, again emphasising the walking to heel.

Best wishes

Mark

Today Bess has been a lot better with the gentle leader. Lots of tiny titbits and loads of praise seemed to work this time. Karen - Bess's friend at puppy class is a Mini Schnauzer called Pepper. It's not that he pulls when walking it's more like frantic bouncing! Thanks for all the hints and tips. We'll keep trying bribery for now.
Sandy.

Hi,

A good way to get your pup used to the gentle leader is to use 2 leads. Attach one to the headcollar and one to a double action (combi collar), then when the dog pulls, gently jerk the collar and say no pull, if this doesn't stop him, then pull the headcollar lead to turn the dog round to face you (body always follows where head goes :) ) and say again in a firmer voice NO PULL. Repeat this over and over again, we have found this seems to help dogs accept the headcollar better and also teaches them that when you say No Pull, you mean it.

Good luck

Manda
X

Hi again,

I just had a thought last night with regard to the dog moving backwards or struggeling with the gentle leader.

Just make sure that it is fitted correctly and the strap for it that runs underneath the eyes, isnt actually moving up and touching the bottom of the eyes.

It's just if they are to pull back a little then it will probably release the pressure place upon their eyes if the above is actually the case.

Regards

Mark

Hi Sandy

Gentle leaders and halties etc... are completely alien and restrictive to dogs and work better if you have got the dog used to having it strapped to its face prior to first venturing out with it. You can't blame them at first for having an adverse reaction to it. I used to put a halti on and then feed my dog taking it off straight away afterwards to start.

When she tries to claw at the head collar - lift the lead so her head is tilted up and she cannot put a paw over the lead. Do this carefully as you do not want to jerk her head and strain her neck. When she stops trying to do that then slacken the lead and reward her gently either verbally or give her a treat.

I wouldn't bother leaving the gentle leader on for an hour after you get back from your walk. You don't seem to be achieving anything other than causing more distress for Bess.

It's a slow process sometimes getting dogs used to things and reacting positively but if you persevere and are slow and careful you should get there in the end. Don't be disheartened :)
Lara x