How to Train Your Dog to Use a Gentle Leader

Hello Doug, Used correctly you should see a small amount of difference in the pulling during the first four walks. After the first four walks, the Gentle Leader should improve the pulling a little bit more every time that you use it as long as you are following a training method also, to teach him how to avoid the corrections and where to walk. Teaching Jack to pull without having to use the Gentle Leader will take much longer however. Typically that would take around four months to train, with walks happening at least three times per week. If you are only taking him once per week, then it might take as long as one year to not need the Gentle Leader anymore. To speed up the training you might want to look into hiring a trainer who will teach your pup to "Heel" while you are at work. Some trainers will do Day Training, where they will come to your home and train the dog while you are away. Hiring a trainer to come at least two times per week, in addition to your one session with your pup, would significantly speed up the training process. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Pamela, Without seeing how the Gentle Leader has been put on and how you are using it, I cannot answer your question accurately. I suggest looking up some how-to YouTube videos on how to fit and properly use a Gentle Leader. It sounds like the strap below the chin could be fitted wrong or the entire Halter put on backwards -- so that the chin strap is at the back of her head. Also, make sure that when you pull back on the gentle leader you are pulling the leash toward you, to the side, not straight back. When a rider steers a horse, she often will let go of one side of the reigns so that the reigns pull on just one side of the horse -- turning the head toward that side of the reigns. If the riding pulls both reigns straight back at the same time, the horse will stop. If the leader is put on correctly and you are using it as shown in how-to-videos, then the issue is probably training in combination with the gentle leader. A gentle leader is a tool. It is designed to level the playing field so that your dog CANNOT over-power you while walking him. It will not train her by itself. Ultimately, if you took the gentle leader off she would probably be down the street, not-looking back. Her focus would not be on you. Her brain needs to be engaged as well as her body. She needs to learn through practicing turns and changes of speed OFTEN how to cooperate with the gentle leader and pay attention to you. I am an advocate of using tools because sometimes they are needed, even for safety, but training that engages your dog's brain also needs to be practiced while your dog is using the device. Check out the article that I have linked below and follow the "Turns" method while she is wearing the gentle leader. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Dede, first, watch some videos online to make sure it's fitted properly and not too tight. Some dogs are more sensitive to the gentle leader than others, especially very visual dogs. You can either choose another no-pull device - such as a front clip harness, or work to desensitize him to it. Check out the video on harness introduction linked below. Practice easing pup into putting his face into the gentle leader and praising and rewarding him for gradually leaving it on without bothering it, for longer and longer. Practice this inside before you start walks with it. The video below is a standard harness, not gentle leader, so details will look different, but you can see the process of gradually introducing, letting pup move into the harness on their own, and increasing how long it stays on for as they improve. The dog in the video was not nervous about that harness so it was done in one video for the sake of time. For your pup, this will probably be broken down into lots of little sessions over the course of a week. Harness introduction how to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn5b8u1YS_g&feature=emb_title When pup is ready to wear the leader for walks, work on pup staying with you due to them being focused on you, so they feel the leader's correction less at first. When pup starts to bother the leader, tell pup "Let's Go!" excitedly and pick up your pace to get pup's attention back on you - even a brief jog. Check out the article linked below for ways to build pup's focus with heel during the walk. - Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Guadalupe, Different tools work best for different dogs, but the gentle leader typically will help with excited pulling. I suggest combining it with teaching him to Heel though for it to be most effective. Check out the "Turns" method from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel It will not stop barking for all dogs. If he is more focused on you, looking to you for direction, and calmer due to learning how to heel and pay attention, then it can indirectly decreased barking simply by addressing his over-arousal during walks. It is not specifically designed to stop barking though. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Ming, Check out the Reel In method from the article linked below for teaching Come. Work on teaching off-leash commands before he is being given off leash freedom to ensure he will come back. You can also practice walking him on a long leash in a spacious area, such as a field, and giving him a treat whenever he chooses to come over to you without being told - so that he learns to want to be close to you when given the option of freedom. Only use a long leash for walks once he has learned not to pull you while walking on a six foot leash though - since he will be able to build up more momentum and pull harder while on a long leash. Reel In method for Come: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall For the stopping, first determine why he is stopping. Does he want to go in another direction? Is he bored? Or is he afraid of something in the area you are trying to lead him toward? If he is afraid, then spend time simply being in the area he is frightened of, at a comfortable distance, and rewarding him for his courage, calmness, and relaxed body language. Do fun things in that area, such as teach tricks, play short games, or hide large treats for him to find (make sure the area hasn't been treated with any pesticides). Work on helping him overcome any fears that are making him stop during a walk by desensitizing him to that fear and socializing him in a fun and relaxing way. If he is stopping because he is bored or just wants to go in another direction, then work on teaching a structured heel to earn his respect and trust better. Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Heel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo A solid heel by itself may stop him from putting on the breaks, but if not, if he isn't afraid, give short leash tugs - tug and release, tug and release, tug and release, over and over again, with an attitude of calmness and confidence. The goal is to make stopping unpleasant for him until he starts moving again. Your body language and attitude should be confident but calm. Do not continuously pull him because dogs will naturally push back when pulled and resist even more. You want to give a quick tug, then give slack in the leash, and repeat those short tugs over and over to make his stopping uncomfortable. When he starts moving forward again, praise him. When he chooses to stay with you and continue walking by your side, then give a treat from your pocket to reward him for following. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden