If you have a dog who is excitable or reactive, or one who loves to pull on his leash, you may have looked into alternative collar devices such as the Gentle Leader. With only two simple straps, it is easy to worry that your dog will slip out of the Gentle Leader. However, you don’t need to worry, because Gentle Leaders are difficult for dogs to get out of.
The rest of this article will detail what a Gentle Leader is and everything you need to know about them, including why it is difficult for your dog to escape from one.
Table of Contents
- What is a Gentle Leader?
- Can my dog escape from a Gentle Leader?
- Are Gentle Leaders inhumane?
- Are Gentle Leaders dangerous?
- Will a Gentle Leader stop my dog from pulling on the leash?
- Will my dog hate a Gentle Leader?
- How can I put a Gentle Leader on my dog?
- How can I get my dog used to the Gentle Leader?
- What if my dog still pulls on the leash?
- How can I train my dog not to pull?
What is a Gentle Leader?
A Gentle Leader is, simply, a head collar for dogs. It is designed similarly to a horse’s halter, with two straps which fit snugly behind the dog’s ears and across the base of his nose. When properly fitted, a Gentle Leader will give you better control over your dog and help reduce unwanted behaviors such as lunging, jumping, and pulling on the leash.
Can my dog escape from a Gentle Leader?
Luckily, Gentle Leaders are pretty much escape-proof. While it is possible that some wily dog out there may manage to slip it off, because of the way it fits, doing so would be incredibly difficult.
One strap fits at the top of the neck behind the ears, and the other fits across your dog’s nose. In order to get it off, he would have to paw the nose strap down—and the strap behind his ears should prevent him from doing so. Just make sure that the straps are fitted snugly enough.
Are Gentle Leaders inhumane?
No, Gentle Leaders are not inhumane. There is no choking function, no prongs, no electricity. A Gentle Leader will not hurt your dog any more than a traditional collar would, and perhaps even less so. The only thing that these devices will do is remove the leverage that your dog has to pull on the leash, making it much easier for you to control him.
Are Gentle Leaders dangerous?
No, Gentle Leaders are not dangerous. Some people believe that a head collar can cause whiplash or other neck-related injuries by turning the dog’s head quickly when he lunges, but this is actually not true.
Due to simple physics, Gentle Leaders will turn your dog’s entire body around if he lunges to the end of the leash. If he were wearing a regular collar or slip lead, the danger of whiplash would be much greater, since a lunge would result in a hard jerk to the neck rather than a turn.
Will a Gentle Leader stop my dog from pulling on the leash?
Yes, a Gentle Leader will help stop your dog from pulling on the leash. This is because, as we have previously mentioned, the device will reduce the leverage that your dog has to pull. Instead of having the ability to drag you by the leash, when your dog tries to pull, the Gentle Leader will simply turn him around.
However, keep in mind that these devices are not miracle workers, and you may still need to train your dog to get at the root of the pulling behavior and eliminate it.
Will my dog hate a Gentle Leader?
It may take some time to get your dog used to the Gentle Leader, but if it is properly fitted, he should adjust to it just as easily as he adjusted to wearing a collar.
How can I put a Gentle Leader on my dog?
Start by putting the neck strap around the top of your dog’s neck, below the base of his ears. This should attach just like a regular collar, just a bit higher on the neck.
Next, open the nose loop so that you can slide it over your dog’s muzzle. You may need to secure your dog between your legs in order to do this for the first time.
Once you have secured the Gentle Leader on your dog’s head, ensure that it is properly fitted. The straps should be snug enough that they do not slide around, but not so tight that they are restrictive. The nose band in particular should be as loose as possible without the possibility of it coming off. The neck strap is the strap which will keep the device on your dog.
How can I get my dog used to the Gentle Leader?
Getting your dog accustomed to the Gentle Leader is as simple as getting a puppy used to a new collar. To do this, make sure that you spend a day or two associating the Gentle Leader with positive things.
Give your dog lots of play and treats while he is wearing the Gentle Leader, and make sure that you do not remove the device while he is pawing at it and trying to get it off. Only reward when your dog adjusts and begins to leave the Gentle Leader alone.
What if my dog still pulls on the leash?
The Gentle Leader is not a miracle device. If your dog is reactive or loves to pull, he may still do so, even though the Gentle Leader should reduce the behavior. To get your dog to stop entirely, you will need to train him not to pull.
How can I train my dog not to pull?
The easiest way to train your dog not to pull is to teach him that not pulling on the leash is more rewarding than doing so. In other words, you will need a lot of time, treats, and consistency.
Start by walking with your dog on the leash. Use a treat to convince your dog to come to your side, leaving some slack in the leash. When he successfully does this, reward him with the treat.
Progress to trying to walk forward while maintaining the looseness in the leash. When your dog is able to take a few steps at your side with a loose leash, go crazy rewarding him with love and treats! If you continue to do this, your dog should eventually learn that pulling is a no-no.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
