A Revolutionary Tool for the Human Dog Relationship - Barking... leash pulling... lunging... jumping... These are all common behavior problems experienced by millions of dog owners. To some they are merely an annoyance, but for many families, these behavior problems escalate to the point that the bond between people and their pet is broken. When this happens, many people feel they have no other option than to give up their pet. In fact, statistics clearly show that behavior problems are the number one cause of death (by euthanasia) for dogs in the United States. Finally there is a fast, effective and humane way to manage these problem behaviors. The Gentle Leader ® Headcollar actually works with a dog's own natural instincts to establish each family member as the dog's leader - from a three-year-old child to an eighty-year-old senior citizen. Dramatic results are seen within minutes. The Gentle Leader ® System offers a whole new concept in behavior management. It helps owners to become the leader of a dog that is motivated and eager to please. It offers people who respect and love dogs a new way to promote desirable behavior and strengthen the human animal bond with their pets.
To Choke or Not To Choke - Which Is More Effective? - Millions of horse owners can't be wrong - have you ever seen a choke or prong collar on a horse? A halter is the equestrian's obvious choice to quickly and easily manage the behavior of even the strongest or most unruly horse. Most horse owners would never even entertain the idea of attempting to control a horse with a lariat around the throat. Besides the fact that it cuts off oxygen and endangers airways, it is obviously an ineffective tool in controlling the animal. The inventors of the Gentle Leader ® used their understanding of the management of horses, cattle and sheep with halters, and adapted that successful tool to dogs.
Why and How the Gentle Leader ® Headcollar Works - First of all, the Gentle Leader® Headcollar is NOT a muzzle. When fitted properly, your dog is free to open his mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch, bark and even bite - except when you close his mouth by pulling on the leash. The Gentle Leader® Headcollar features two soft nylon straps - the collar portion fits high at the top of the neck, and the nose loop fits loosely and comfortably across the base of the muzzle. Each strap has a distinct and important effect.
The Nose Loop - Dogs are naturally "pack" animals with a highly structured social order. One of the ways the "pack leader" will demonstrate his position is to gently but firmly grasp a subordinate's muzzle in his mouth. This is a non-aggressive, very clear signal regarding who's the boss! The Gentle Leader's ® nose loop encircles your dog's muzzle in this same manner, letting him know in his own language that you are his leader. Dogs feel more secure when they know who the leader is.
The Neck Strap - Have you noticed how puppies seem to melt in relaxation when their mother picks them up at the back of the neck? Gentle Leader ® applies pressure to the back of the neck rather than the front of the throat, working with your dog's natural relaxation instinct with an amazing calming effect. Also, dogs tend to pull against pressure so the gentle pressure at the back of the neck causes the dog to pull backward, not forward. This means an end to leash pulling forever!
Teaches "Sit" - The Gentle Leader ® Headcollar quickly encourages controlled sitting - raise your dog's nose skyward and he lowers his hindquarters - no pushing or shoving.
Stops Pulling & Lunging - No more tug of wars, jerking or being dragged down the street - even children and the elderly can walk large or difficult dogs.
Won't Choke - Gentle Leader ® gives you control with humane restraint - pressure is applied at the back of the neck instead of the front of the throat.
Prevents Jumping - Easily stops jumping and other unwanted behavior as the Gentle Leader ® Headcollar helps you control your dog in a "stand," "sit" or "down" position.
Not a Muzzle - When fitted properly, your dog may open his mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch and bark - except when you pull on the leash to close his mouth.
Controls Barking - Stop unwanted barking with a simple pull of the lead to close your dog's mouth - no need to shout or scold.
Stops Begging - Eliminate annoying behavior at meal time and help the kids hang onto their snacks!
Helps Manager Other Behavior Problems - Under the supervision of a trained professional, the Gentle Leader ® can be an effective tool, in an individual behavior modification program for problems such as fear, anxiety, agression, etc. Many professionals and owners have reported a calming effect on their dogs.
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How to Fit
THE PROPER FIT - AN ABSOLUTE MUST! - 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."
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).
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Frequently Asked 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.
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.
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.
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