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THE GENTLE LEADER HEADCOLLAR
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USING
THE GENTLE LEADER HEADCOLLAR
A
few notes to help you get the best out of your Gentle Leader - a great headcollar for dogs
For
further information check out this website: www.gentleleader.co.uk
A Gentle Leader Headcollar gives the owner almost immediate control in a kind and considerate way. Sometimes it takes a while for a dog to get used to the feel of the headcollar around his face. A one to one training appointment will help you with any difficulties you may have. A Gentle Leader is also useful for preventing puppies leaning into their collars and putting pressure on the throat. Some dogs take a while to get used to them, and that's why I prefer to give owners tuition about the best way to accustom a dog to accept the Gentle Leader.
- Use the Gentle Leader
every time you walk your dog.
- Don't leave the
Gentle Leader on your dog without using a lead or when unsupervised.
- Walk your dog on
your left or your right hand side, but don't allow him or her to weave
from one side to the other.
- Keep a fairly short,
but not tight, lead.
- Prevent your dog
from putting his or head down and "scuffing" the
noseloop along the ground.
- Don't allow your
dog to "hoover" along the ground and don't allow your dog
an excessive amount of "sniffing" time.
- From time to time
give your dog permission to sniff around, i.e. in a rough grass area,
hedge bottoms etc. (Remember to clean up after your dog)
- Interact with your
dog to keep attention on walks, from time to time.
- Ignore any fidgeting
with the Headcollar, don't turn and look at your dog if he stops;
keep walking. Don't coax with a tit-bit, but by all means reward with
a tit-bit when your dog is walking nicely.
- When returning from
a walk, undo the headcollar and leave attached to the lead ready for
the next time.
- Make sure that
your dog "Sits" to have the headcollar put on and removed and
practise this separately at times when you are not going walks. Teach
your dog to sit when approaching a possible "hazard" i.e.
other people, children, pushchairs, cats, other dogs etc. This
will prevent lunging and improve general control.
- Use the "Sit"
and "Down" command frequently, not just when crossing
the road
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Why use a headcollar?
The main use of a headcollar is to help prevent pulling. It also has
many other training and behaviour uses. It helps the owner gain the
dog's attention, prevents a dog jumping up passers-by. The headcollar
also gives you leadership over the dog as it applies gentle pressure
on the back of the neck and the nose just like a puppy's mother would
when she wanted to control her offspring.
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What is a headcollar? A
headcollar is a device, which fits on a dog's head, and around
the nose and the neck. It is very much like a bridle or headcollar
worn
by horses. There are several brands on the market, all service
the same purpose, but my own recommendation is the "Gentle
Leader"
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Will my
dog like wearing it? It is quite likely that your dog will object
to wearing a headcollar at first, just like some puppies object to
their first ordinary collar. Older dogs may object more strongly because
they may have become used to pulling their owners about. As your dog
begins to accept your guidance he will accept wearing the headcollar.
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When should
my dog wear a headcollar? Every time he goes on lead. Leave
the lead attached to the headcollar when you come home and it is
ready
for use next time. Don't let him "have a break" from
wearing it, or else it will be difficult for him to accept next
time. Never
leave the headcollar on indoors, or when unattended.
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My dog hides when I want to put
the headcollar on him/My dog won't let me put the headcollar on. When
you need to put the headcollar on, don't warn him! Get yourself
ready first and have the headcollar handy but out of sight. Have
some treats
handy and teach your dog to sit as you put on the headcollar. You
might need a helper at first, but you will soon master the art
of calling your dog, asking him to "sit", putting on
the headcollar, and then rewarding him.
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People stop me in the street
and ask if my dog is wearing a muzzle and ask "Is he dangerous?"
This is because headcollars for dogs are a fairly new invention. A
headcollar has been used on horses for hundreds of years. It's worth
taking time to explain to people what it is and how it works. Have
some treats in your pocket and ask the enquirer to give your dog a
tit-bit. This will show that your dog is friendly and you will be
helping to educate the general public about newer, gentle methods
of training dogs.
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Will the Gentle Leader
help control aggression? Whilst the Gentle Leader does have a
calming effect on dogs and gives owners maximum safe control, dogs
who may be considered a danger to other dogs and the public should
be muzzled. If necessary, a muzzled dog can wear a Gentle Leader and muzzle at the
same time offering safety with control.
As with all training
or behavioural problems, if your dog is aggressive please contact me to
arrange a behavioural consultation and/or one to one training sessions
for you and your dog.
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