Gentle Leader Explained

Head Collars, aka Gentle Leader, Halti, and Promise Collar, are  commonly marketed for use on dogs that pull. They were designed based upon halter's that are used on horses. However, unlike a horse halter, which sits down on the bridge of the nose, dog head halters sit just below the eyes.

I do not use and never recommend the Gentle Leader for training purposes. I have extensively used both products in conjunction with behavioral as well as obedience training issues.  I subsequently never found any dog that responded well on one even while just out for a walk. My conclusion was that the psychology of the dog, versus the horse, was the reason.

I have seen dog's literally become depressed while wearing a Gentle Leader or Halti, and worse, I have seem a few become aggressive.  I have experienced, and have seen, dogs literally fight to keep it from being placed on them. I have also seen dogs use every way possible to get it off. It's telling. There is a very discernable difference between restraining your dog and training your dog.

The collar itself does not encourage confidence in the dog which is something I very much strive to instill in every single dog I work with. Unlike horses, the domesticated dog is already "grounded" and it's wild tendencies are no longer strongly present. Although I still need a way to communicate clearly with the dog, in a fair and clear manner, the Gentle Leader effectively stops communication by making the dog natural instincts kick into high gear, or conversely, shut down altogether. Either way, understanding and communication stops dead in in tracks.

I have a long background with horses including, owning, caring for and training. Years ago I attended several weekend seminars conducted personally by Pat Pirelli, world-renowned horse trainer and clinician who teaches Natural Horsemanship. I fully understand the concepts of equine behavior, and the use of the horse halter when training and leading a horse.

There is a huge difference between a 1200 Lb horse, whose instinct is to flee, and a dog who has a multitude of instinctual drives. To control and effectively work with a horse it must be "grounded". Our dogs are already grounded. This happened thousands of years ago when canines were domesticated. The "prey" horse and the "predator" canine cannot be compared to one another. So, to use similar training equipment, in my opinion, simply makes no sense.

As a dog trainer it has been my experience that, with very few exceptions, dogs are overly resistant to the Gentle Leader, and Halti, and rightly so - the dogs muzzle is extremely sensitive. Dogs use their noses and mouths to not only communicate, eat and play, but also to defend themselves. From a psychological as well as physical standpoint, canines, because they possess such strong social and defense drives,  feel extremely vulnerable having their muzzles restricted in any way. Consider that the primary way in which dogs communicate and defend themselves is by using their muzzles,  it is understandable why they would never want it inhibited.

I often use this example to make my point; What if you were forced to have your hands tied behind your back every time you left the house? You would obviously feel completely vulnerable if confronted by a stranger.  Would you ever want to leave your house again?

Does the Gentle Leader keep dogs from pulling? - usually. That's all. I teach that there is so much more to training your dog than teaching it not to pull. Effective and gentle training is best accomplished by using the proper equipment and training methods. I recommend training equipment proven to me to be gentle, effective and most importantly, un-offensive to my best friend, and yours - the dog. I urge readers of this article to really think about whether this is being kinder and gentler. If one truly takes the time to learn and understand, then one can really only come to the conclusion that in the case of head halters, it is more like hand-cuffing. More akin to a straight-jacket for canines. Psychologically speaking, for some dogs it can be pure torture.

Communication

The leash and collar attaches but separates us from our dogs. It allows for clear communication without creating fear or uncertainty. At the same time it allows us to teach and correct, without getting mean, mad, yelling or hitting. You don’t need to chase your dog down and grab him in order to tower over him with a stern look. On a leash, your dog is a captive student and will respond positively to your neutral corrections combined with generous verbal and physical praise.

Quite simply put, your dog can stand near you or roam the distance of the leash. The leash will provide you the ability to take the time to teach, before asking your dog to do something he has not yet learned. There is also a leash law for dogs. That being said, once a dog is truly trained on-leash, progression to off-leash work could commence.

Off-leash dog parks or beaches are wonderful areas for dogs to play and socially interact with one another. But I caution: Allowing an ill-mannered dog to bully the other visitors is unfair and unkind. Using these facilities is a huge responsibility for an owner, and one should be mindful of this when attempting to take an aggressive or overly dominant dog into an off-leash area. Seek the services of a trainer or behaviorist first.

Willingness to Please

Dogs learn when the advantages and the disadvantage of their actions are spelled out in black and white. When we do not clearly communicate to our dog where their advantage lies, stress and confusion sets in and learning does not take place. If a dog is allowed to make its own choice, with no guidance from us, the possibility is 50/50 that he will make a correct one. For example, if we allow our dogs to decide where they want to go potty - they will usually choose inside our houses. Setting up your dog to succeed builds confidence, and a confident dog is a stable companion.

It is the trainer’s or handler’s responsibility to provide, during the training/teaching process, a stimulus that is sufficient and clear enough so that the dog understands where the advantage lies. But first we must always take the time to teach. I cannot stress this enough. Because dogs have an inherent willingness to please, the process of teaching is easily accomplished without the use of food as a bribe, or pain to induce or eliminate a response. Patience and consistency are far better tools than the gimmicks and tricks being pushed by today's dog trainers and manufacturers of training aids. 

A quickly-trained dog is not necessarily a well-trained dog. Nor should it be considered a well-bonded companion. The teaching/training process presents to us the unique and special opportunity to develop a very deep, mutually respectful relationship with our canine companion.

All Dogs Have A Purpose

From the largest to the smallest, all dogs have a purpose. All dogs need a purpose. For some it might simply be to sit by your side or on your lap as you type away at your computer. Others feel it necessary to keep watch over your children as they play in your yard. And then there is the true working dog that really shows its personality once it has run the agility course, killed the rat in your garage or brought you the morning paper. This sense of purpose is a natural instinct rarely used by today's trainers. In fact, it is often ignored and perhaps even purposefully trained out of the dog. Sad but true.

So many owners desire a "mellow" dog, but choose a breed that has a strong working or herding drive. Then they wonder why the dog tears up their condo while they are at work. The owner seeks the services of a trainer who simply provides methods or techniques that suppress the dog’s inherent talents and skills. I cannot tell you how many vets are prescribing sedatives and anti-depressants for dogs that are exhibiting these anxieties.

While it is too late to choose another dog, other options do exist including day care, dog walkers, obedience classes, flyball, agility and other terrific activities. These classes teach, as well as allow dogs to expend pent up energy.

Dog Trainers, obedience,  puppy classes, doggie day care and doggy sitting available in:  San Diego Ca * Poway * Rancho Santa Fe * Rancho Bernardo * Fairbanks Ranch * 4S Ranch *  Santa Luz * Del Mar * Escondido * Carmel Valley *  Pt. Loma * Vista *  San Marcos * Encinitas * La Jolla * Solana Beach  * San Carlos * Mission Valley * Pacific Beach *  Mission Beach * Oceanside * El Cajon *  La Mesa *  Clairemont  * Carlsbad * Rancho Penasquitos * Olivenhain *  Mission Hills * Tempe * Scottsdale * Chandler * Gilbert *  Paradise Valley  New classes beginning in Vista, Encinitas, Del Mar, Carlsbad and Oceanside