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V is for Victory!
After the broken slip collar incident with Rufus I have done alot of researching and contemplating over what I should use to walk the boys. Since the break was hardware related, all the extra rings and clips make me nervous and aren’t really an option in my opinion. I have received countless suggestions from others; some good, some absolutely ludacris. Of course most suggestions included elaborate combinations of leashes, collars, buckles and clips. Saint Bernards are big, they pull hard and any sort of harness system is just going to make it easier for them to pull me all over the place. I mean lets be honest, what to dogs use to pull stuff with? Harnesses!
I looked at the pinch/prong-training collars and couldn’t find one large enough for the boys with out costing over $50.00. The largest one I could find was only 22 inches and then I would have to buy extra sets of links and basically do a makeshift one. Where on earth do people find the big ones! If I was going to spend that much one, I’d just suck it up and get a Dogmatic from England. Another slip collar was a possiblity, but i needed to find one that’s sturdy with cast rings, not welded rings.
I finally settled on trying out the GENTLE LEADER. I have heard a ton of good things about it and a few of my blogging buddies actually use them with big dogs too. (Mango and Chelsea both use them) I am embarrassed to say, that I actually have had one in my closet for a couple of years. It came with Brutus and Rufus when they were surrendered to me by their previous owner. I never used it on them and sort of forgot about it. Well, I pulled it out and “dusted it off” and low’n behold – it worked like magic!
We have now tested it out over the course of a week on both Brutus and Rufus. We’ve had several encounters walking past little dogs and big dogs and I am absolutely amazed the control I have over them. Brutus doesn’t really care for it and must come off as soon as we walk in the door, but Rufus is completely unphased by it. They walk like proper gentlemen and don’t pull like madmen when they see other dogs.
Ahhhh I am soo pleased. Its a major victory and all is right with the world again!
I am so glad to hear that you went with a gentle leader. They are a wonderful training tool and can really help you get control of a dog that wants to pull. Plus it’s so much gentler than a prong collar! I am sure your boys are thanking you!!!
myspoileddogss last blog post..Marley is coming home!
Ah yes, the gentle leader vs prong debate..
I personally don’t feel that prongs are painful.. I’ve put them around my own neck.. now of course, my dogs are tough nuts.. Qor will blow through it and not think twice.. but I’ve still got her… not every dog can handle the stimulous of a prong and it will shut them down.. I personally think they are better than just a plain collar (for a dog that pulls) becuase it puts even pressure on the dog instead of right at their throat. but you have to know how to use them.
my *only* issue with a gentle leader is the same one I have with the prong.. it’s all about the handler.. I know you won’t do this, but I’ve seen PEOPLE drag their DOGS around with gentle leaders (and with prongs.. which is not good either)..
If a handler isn’t careful, the dog can throw their (the dogs) neck out.. but so can making them heel on the right and stare at your face all the time..
if it works for you .. FAB! Like I said, I know you will use it responsibly… there are actually accupressure points on the dogs snout that are for calming.. which is why gentle leaders and “snoot loops” and calming bands are used in Tellington Touch.
I’m so glad you’ve found something that works!
Fuzzy Logics last blog post..Rules.. I hate them…
Thanks Spoiled… SO far I am really pleased with the results… much more control than I EVER had with the slip collars. I could kick my self for not using it from the start.
Mommy got me a gentle leader and I don’t like that evil thing but mommy likes it. I have to say that I can’t pull and take her for a walk like I would like too and instead she gets to lead the walk which is so unfair, don’t you think? Funny thing about the harness is that Sami doesn’t pull mommy but I can pull really while with that harness, infact sister Allie hooks me up to her sled when we are lucky enough to get lots of snow and I pull her and it is so much fun!
Lovie Dovie Baylee
Baylees last blog post..My cousin Katie and update on my hooman Uncle Chris
Now, who would have known! I used to wear a Halti for training last time & mommy had a very good control of my head & muzzle. I didn’t pull or lunged at anything. I lagged though & was very depressed everytime it was put on me. I hated it but just put up with it. After many months of wearing it during my OB lessons, mommy quit using it coz I was just enjoying my lessons at all with that stoopid red thing on! But it did help improve my heeling. I mean in terms of the pulling problem. I still lagged terribly. BOL! The Halti or the Gentle Leaders are not really for strict OB training. I mean like for precise training for competition level. Usually I see therapy dogs wearing these leaders during their OB training but that’s becoz they are supposed to be calm at all times. By the way, I agree with Fuzzy too. The prong collars are not painful at all! Actually, the most dangerous collars are the choke collars coz when you jerk, the pressure is on side of the neck only & that break the neck is jerked really hard. For the prong collar, the pressure is around the neck. Mommy put it on me once & it wasn’t that bad. Ofcourse she didn’t jerk me with it,. just tried it on for fun. You know, many people say prongs are terrible but they haven’t tried it on themselves. Even the electric collars are safer than the choke collars anytime! But ofcourse like that Fuzzy said, it’s the handlers handling too. If the handler uses it wrongly, then ya know…
Butt shakes,
Solid Gold Dancer
Amber-Maes last blog post..Did A Little Shopping
Yeaaaaaaaaaa, we’re so glad you found something that works and that you like! Walking is a very important part of our day and we like everyone to be happy!
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
Maggie & Mitchs last blog post..Another Sleeping Giant Trip
So glad you found something apart from the pinch/shock/prong collars! I don’t care how many people say they don’t feel too bad, there is almost always another solution that isn’t pain-based.
Dylan walks on a Halti when we go out on the roads, he walks like a proper gentleman too with it on. I’d rather not use anything, but he’s so strong and when I’m walking all three dogs I worry about damage to him or me if he takes off.
I guess if Brutus or Rufus really decided to go you wouldn’t have much option though!
Leannes last blog post..Flyball, Congrats, Photos and University
I think the prong collar and Gentle Leader work great. They are different, but both work. It’s just a matter of preference and also depends on the dog. I’m glad the boys are responding well to their Gentle Leaders.
Lindsays last blog post..Featured adoptable pet: Matty the pit bull
I prefer the Halti over the Gentle Leader… they are very similar, but for some reason the Halti works better for me. I can’t walk Chase without one, and he has it on when we do flyball because he would pull like crazy and choke himself and tear my arm off in the process. I love Halti’s. Chase and Tatum both have one, and i swear by them!
Cynthia Blues last blog post..Chase in Course A’ Lure
Awe Baylee… I suppose it could be worse, she could leave you at home. I know how much fun it is to pull mommy all over the neighborhood… but I bet mommy doesn’t like it. I know I sure dont.
Good points Amber Mae!
Thanks Maggie and Mitch.. I think we found something that makes us all happy. I really enjoy walking the boys, but the stress of them getting so excited at the sight of other dogs was really too much for me. I bought a second gentle leader today so each dog has his own
Thanks Leanne… I would never use a shock collar. I was very hesitant at first to try the gentle leader because I just couldn’t grasp how it could possibly keep them under control. It seems so flimsy and since we already had a “hardware malfunction” I was nervous. I guess one can’t argue with physics, because it works amazingly well! I thought about buying a Halti too just to see how that one worked, but the store I went to today only had the Gentle Leader so since I was there, I just went ahead and bought a second one so B and R could both have their own
Lindsay, I am glad they are responding to it too! And you are right, it is a matter or preference. Thanks.
Thanks Cynthia… I think I will eventually pick up a Halti and see how it works. I am just kicking myself in the butt for not trying them sooner!
So glad you found something that worked! Walks are no fun when you are constantly worried about being drug down or something horrible happening.
Rachaels last blog post..What would I do
heh, I got a Gentle Leader the day after I took my first walk with my rescue vizsla. We had prong collars with our dobermans when I was growing up, and it never affected them. The Gentle Leader has worked very well for my dog though, and he now walks at my heel just like a dog is supposed to.
Of course, when I have him out in the woods on his expando leash, it’s a different story, heh.
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I need to get a gentle leader for Flash. Peanut walks very well but Flash is a puller. Have to be able to afford one first though hahaha
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