Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

My dog loved to drag me everywhere, and it was getting to a point where I didn't even want to walk him anymore. I bought this and he immediately stopped. Be sure to read the directions/watch the video before actually using it. (I'm one of those people who don't ever read directions and couldn't figure out how to put it on!)

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

I have had the gentle leader head collar for over a year and walking my labrador who loves other dogs, loves to bark and investigate other dogs has gone from stressful chore to fun relaxed activity. I give vocal commands as I correct her and now by the end of our street, on the way to the park I can take it off and use her normal collar and leash and she does alright with the vocals. When she pulled or saw other dogs it was really hard on my shoulders and she sounds mean when she barks.. she growls a little bit, but just wants to play with the other dogs, and you can use this to correct barking on lead as well. Watch the DVD so you fit it correctly and learn the training tips. I don't like to run with her wearing it.. I like her to run a little bit ahead of me. I wish the noseband was thicker in width or padded. Sometimes it looks uncomfortable, but my dog doesn't even try to take it off, so I think its ok. It is a great training tool, especially when you need your dog close to you and to obey on leash. It is a bit off putting looks wise. I've had people ask if my dog bites or if she was wearing a muzzle. She generally doesn't let strange men near her so its actually ok with me, but I'm afraid people might think I am bringing a dangerous dog to a public area. Overall a great training and walking aid

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

I adopted a three year old cattle dog from the humane society who is very energetic and loves being outdoors. When I first got her, it was impossible to walk her, she would chew on her leash and try to wiggle out of her collar. Several people suggested I get a Gentle Leader, but I really thought I could train her on my own. She did get a lot better and could walk on a leash (and often without it at the end of the walk), but she still pulled for the first several blocks before she did her business. When I saw REI was carrying them, I decided to give in, and I LOVE it! Seriously, we can now have normal walks without her yanking my arm off. Admittedly, it does annoy her a bit and she'll rub her nose in the grass to get it off, but she is doing it less and less everyday and she seems happier now because I take her on more walks, knowing that it's not going to be such a struggle.

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

Please watch the DVD and/or begin using this under the supervision of a trainer familiar with it! It does not "magically" fix problem behavior, but it will help significantly if used correctly.

Many folks in my dog training classes use this and there is noticeable difference in many of them with it on. With that said, this is merely a TRAINING TOOL - it is meant for specific uses and you should eventually be able to wean your dog off of it and use a regular collar or harness with no problems if you are using it correctly. It really helped my dog learn polite leash manners (he pulled and is reactive to other dogs), but he is now off of it 100% of the time and a certified canine good citizen!

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

My English Mastiff is now 11 months old and weighs about 160 pounds. She LOVES people (especially kids). She walks good on a normal collar with no distractions, however if she decides to go say hi to someone there is absolutely no stopping her. Not only did I not want to fall on my butt... I didn't want her to scare any children with her size and eager kisses. The very first walk with the Gentle Leader we walked by a yard with two young kids giving their energetic lab a bath in the driveway (much laughter and distracting FUN for my puppy). As soon as my dog veered in their direction the simple correction from the head-collar got her immediately back on track and focused on me. She still wears it on walks just in case, but no longer even tries to pull. I love saying it is FUN to walk my dog - it makes me so proud! When people stop and ask questions, it is simple to explain it works just like a halter for a horse - it is not a muzzle, just makes controlling a large or excited dog easier for the human.

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

If you are in a hurry just check out the ***.

I adopted a 3 1/2 year old Rottie just over a year ago. He had been a street dog and has been surprisingly well behaved. When I adopted him, I hadn't been trained so I actually encouraged some bad walking behavior unknowingly- walking in front versus at my side or behind me.

He loves other dogs so he will nearly pull you across the street to go check them out. He actually pulled me over one time! He also loves to chase cats. There weren't a lot where we used to live and now there are 20 here. Nearly every walk my shoulder or arm hurt.

*** Now I can walk him around the cats with this collar on with only ONE! finger on the leash. I am completely serious! Last week I thought the cat chasing had been stopped so I tried the old collar but he reverted instantly.

The guy at the store that fitted the collar on him said that most dogs toss their heads more than mine did. He also suggested rubbing his muzzle to get him used to the feeling. I have always done that so maybe that helped. He does rub his face on the ground with this on, but he loves to do that in general. I don't keep it as tight as it is recommended because he doesn't need it. A couple times he has rubbed his nose enough for the nose portion to fall off. This is ok because the collar stays on and won't fall off since it can be used as a traditional style as well.

My friend recommended this to me and told me her dog likes it, but had not initially. At first Carlos was not crazy about it, but now, when I pick up the collar he dances because he knows he is going out.

*I don't know about durability since I have had it for about a month, but so far so good!

*This would not be effective for short nosed dogs at all would be the ONLY draw back I see.

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

This collar is amazing. I have a beagle who likes to take me for a walk, instead of me taking him for a walk. I have been using the Gentle Leader since he was a puppy, and it really works. He does not pull while wearing it. It can also be used for other training purposes, like "sit" "stay" "come" etc.

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

To be fair, I know people who have used this successfully with large dogs. I think if I had started training with it when she was younger, it might have worked.

It did NOT work with the adolescent (just over 1 y old) German Shepherd dog I rescued from the Humane Society. My dog is very determined and strong-willed and extremely high energy, very driven and she does have some fear aggression. Maybe she was still overstimulated from having spent so much time at the shelter. I talked with a trainer; when I continued to have trouble I went to my vet, who had a "Gentle Leader" expert who had been to seminars &c. She checked the fit, which was fine and watched me work with my dog using Gentle Leader. She said I was using proper strategies.

My dog would get frustrated with all the stopping, that she would try to run, then she got so frustrated with the suprise jerk if she bolted after something that she would freak out and just fight it. Since she is very difficult to wear down, she just kept doing it again and again and again, working herself into a frenzy, even though I ignored her "tantrums", as the DVD directs. It was a while ago, so I don't remember exactly how long I used it, but I tried it for at least 2 weeks.

When my doggie ended up with rope burns on her muzzle from pulling, I was done. I did get another product from this company, a harness, which did the trick and now I can walk her on just a regular leash (if not too many distractions). The training DVD was helpful for teaching simple commands and she tolerated wearing it fine--except when we were walking.

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

This is a great invention. My dog is great on a flexible leash, but would pull when agitated or on a fixed length leash. In less than 1/2 hour with this leash he wasn't pulling on a 6 foot cloth leash -- required on some trails we like. I know a lot of people who got this based on advice in obedience class and were able to walk calmly with their dogs for the first time. Watch the DVD first for good training advice, and don't use it with flexi or elastic leashes. The only even mild disadvantage is that other people sometimes think it is a muzzle and get scared. I highly recommend this for any dog that tends to pull.

Comments about Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar:

My dog is a 1 year old pure bred German Shepherd. She's very lively and well behaved; super cute (I’m a little biased, I know). My trainer recommended this when she was about 6 months because of her pulling sometimes on walks. This totally eliminated!!! It self-corrects the dogs pulling, pulling their head back on track. It does not hurt the dog at all. They can even eat, drink and play with toys with this on - it's not a muzzle. I can really honestly say that this is the best thing we bought because she's a dream to walk and run with now!