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Gentle Lead vs Harness?

9K views 34 replies 16 participants last post by  adamsNancy 
#1 ·
We are leash training our puppy, and I'm wondering if the Gentle Lead is better than the harness we have been using. He pulls on us a lot and is pretty strong, especially for me.

Does anyone have any opinions on these?
 
#29 ·
They can be a nice tool to help control your dog as they learn LLW, however, most people use them incorrectly. I see a lot of dogs in class that have ill-fitting ones on, people who are leash correcting (eeeeeh) with them on, and dogs who charge to the end of the leash and snap their necks back. It is horrible. You still need to be actively engaged and training your dog while they have it on.

You can also definitely condition your dog to like it. Lots of dogs don't like collars, harnesses etc, but with proper conditioning can learn to be excited to see it. I condition my dogs to love everything (minus prongs and e-collars because I would never use them) including muzzles, head collars, Elizabethan collars and all manner of harnesses.

Ultimately, you know your dog best and can pick the best option for you and your pup. :)
 
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#30 ·
My opinion would be, forget the notion that any collar type contraption is going to be your best option. A flat collar should work just fine. It's not the collar, it's the method of training. Good things should happen when one's dog is in the slot with no leash pressure whatsoever. So many people need to read up on opposition reflex in dogs and how to use it to their advantage.
 
#31 ·
I would work at home on loose leash walking and distractions heavily and if you can try to walk places that there aren't as many or any wild animals then build up the distraction.
I personally would suggest a front clip on a regular harness, which I saw you said you were already using.
Have you tried instead of trying to get him to back with you, doing something like an "on by", and just keep walking? Is he responsive to treats (or anything else) when he's reacting/fixated on a wild animal?
I have a reactive dog and something that's helped us is "here", basically when he sees or hears something he would normally be reactive to he looks at me instead, and gets rewarded for it.
 
#32 ·
He is extremely prey reactive. I currently have a sprained wrist, so I haven't taken him out on his leash recently, but we've been practicing our recall in the backyard on a long line. He sees any sort of animal and zips the other way and practically drags me. I'm only about 115 lbs, but still am pretty shocked that a 47 lb dog has that much strength. Our chow mix weighs a bit more and she's never pulled like that, and she loves chipmunks! But she just whines at them while wagging her tail.

We have small animals in the house too that Baxter does not care about. But outside, he sees anything move and he's attempting to bolt after it. We have copperheads here, so that's really not good.

I'll try treats the next time I take him out.
 
#33 · (Edited)
I started out usiing Martingales but my trainer recommended using a gentle leader instead as it offered more control without the choke. It took 2-3 weeks but she got used to it and its part of our daily gear now. When she sees her vest and leader she knows we are going to work or dinner and she waits on them.
She is fine 95% of the time on a loose leash but as others said all it takes sometimes is a squirrel with a smirk on his face or a tiny dog yapping to make them want to go and with a 60 pound dog I don't like to take the chance.
I also recommend looking at RuffWear leashes, especially if not using a leader. Most have a traffic handle close to the collar for more control. Their WebMaster harness is strong enough to pick up a 75-100 pound dog with. It i widely used by S&R and Service dogs. it has a front and rear clip.

*I should post this disclaimer, as a Service Dog user I get a discount on RuffWear products.
 
#34 ·
I actually did end up getting a gentle leader. He was already dressed with a Martingale collar when we adopted him from the SPCA. They said it was the best collar because it couldn't slip over their heads when they get squirmy as puppies. Baxter has pulled a ligament in my arm when he darted the opposite direction after a squirrel, and I had to wear a brace for a month. That's when my friend who is a dog trainer suggested we go out and get the gentle leader. I don't regret it.

He's better on his leash overall now, and I only use it when we head out for walks in the neighborhood or if we are heading into the city areas where there are a lot of distractions and it could be dangerous. He walks next to me with a loose leash, never pulls anymore and keeps walking in a straight line. If we put him on his regular leash for quick outside bathroom trips, he's still really good.

What we've been doing now is we got a Kurgo dog backpack to carry his accessories while we go hiking. We only put a small 8 oz bottle of water, collapsing bowl, doggy bags and treats in it, and he does really well with it. Seems to be more focused on our walks. Leash connects to the back of the harness. We have a working dog breed so it makes sense. I think he feels like he's doing an important job. :)
 
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