[nagdu] gentle leader

Sun Jun 23 00:54:41 UTC 2013

Here is my opinion on the matter.
The gentle leader, like certain other types of equipment, is not something
that you should just pull out and start using without some sort of practice
ahead of time. When I went through training at GDB in 2007, all of us were
given a gentle leader, and we were required to use it on just one walk to
help us learn how to use it and adjust it. We were told that it can be used
to direct the dog's nose away from things, but you cannot give a correction
when it is on the dog, so the dog never really learns when wearing it. Also,
if given a choice of head collars, I prefer the halty over the gentle
leader. The gentle leader consists of two straps, one to go around the dog's
head--a little higher than a regular collar--and one to go around the nose
where as the halty has more straps--more like a horse halter. The gentle
leader always stays pulled at a certain tightness based on how you adjust
the straps with a clamp. The haulty tightens and loosens based on how the
dog is pulling on it.
I have found that Lexia does not usually need a gentle leader. The one time
that I was going to use it, I put it on her, and looked at me like, "You
have got to be kidding me. You actually think that I need this thing?" She
refused to work with it on. Had she actually needed it, and if she ever came
to, I would work with it to where she would accept it, but, since she does
not need one, I don't worry about it. Usually, a gentle tug on the chain
collar is enough to make knock off whatever she is up to, which is usually a
dog distraction. If she needs a more firm correction, we were taught to
slide the collar up higher on the dog's neck, right behind the ears. If
people find that they are needing to give their dogs high collar corrections
on a regular basis, they are collars that can be tightened with a clamp so
that they stay in the high collar position.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 7:58 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] gentle leader

I use a martingale collar on Ben sometimes.  His regular chain collar is not
really the right size for his neck.  It's a little too big, so it sits down
on his shoulders, and isn't very effective.  And the next smaller size is
too small.  I wish dog collars came in half-sizes.  But I can adjust the
martingale collar to sit a little up on his neck, so it is more effective
than his chain collar.
Tracy

----- Original Message -----
From: "d m gina" <dmgina at samobile.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 11:34 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] gentle leader

> If I keep the collar on he has now from the school, would this do the same

> thing as the collar mentioned
> I will take it while on this trip, then go from there.
> By chance will nagdu sell anything like this if needed?
> Of course different sizes would have to be brought.
> Thanks for sharing with me.
> ?
> Or does this collar go under the chin where Original message:
>> Dar,
>
>> a martingale is a collar that is about 3/4 leather or nylon with the two
>> ends connected by a loop of chain or sometimes a loop of nylon.  The 
>> leash
>> connects to the loop.  When you pull the leash the loop tightens the main
>> portion of the collar.  You use this type of collar the same way as a
>> standard check chain collar.
>
>> Concerning overheating and head collars...if you're going only short
>> distances, overheating shouldn't be an issue.  I'm thinking the 
>> temperature
>> would have to be over 90, maybe less if the humidity is high or your 
>> doing
>> some brisk walking.  Signs of a too hot dog include: heavy panting almost
>> chest heaving breathing, a drooped head, slowing down and general 
>> lethargy
>> or slowed responses.
>
>> If you're indoors in air conditioning, overheating  is nearly impossible.
>> If it's really hot outside and your dog has enough energy to pull toward
>> other dogs and act nutters, I'm convinced he's not overheating.  *smile*
>> It's going to be fine to use the gentle leader.  Just be mindful of the 
>> heat
>> and his need to pant freely and use the gentle leader when you need it.
>
>> Julie
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: d m gina
>> Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 9:04 AM
>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] gentle leader
>
>> I don't even know what a Martingale collar is.
>> Would this be better Julie to get a collar that if the dog gets to
>> distracted where his mouth would still be open?
>> Thanks so much for sharing.
>> Original message:
>>> Hi,
>>> I use the halty on my golden retriever whenever I anticipate high
>>> levels of distraction or goofy behavior. If we're visiting the Vet, a
>>> pet store, or anything like that I will put the halty on before we get
>>> out of the car, off the bus, or within the vicinity of the
>>> establishment. When I put it on my golden, he just sulks, but he knows
>>> I mean business, so he doesn't try anything -- no sniffing, no
>>> pulling, and no surging.
>>> I use the martingale collar on him at all times, so I don't have to
>>> worry about him pulling hard and hurting himself on a choke chain. But
>>> it is nice to have complete control of his head and know exactly what
>>> he's doing.
>>> --
>>> Raven
>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: d m gina <dmgina at samobile.net>
>>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> Sent: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:23:00 -0600 (MDT)
>>>> Subject: [nagdu] gentle leader
>
>>>> How many of you use the gentle leader or anything like this to make
>>>> sure your dog doesn't drag you across the hotell?
>>>> Until they settle down?
>>>> When do you start to put this on your dog if you use it/
>>>> Rite away, or when they see several dogs?
>>>> Just before you get off plane anything like that?
>>>> I didn't have to use this with my other dogs as this one I know will
>>>> get goofie then I wouldn't have him in control.
>>>> Thanks,
>
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t
>
>> --
>> --Dar
>> skype: dmgina23
>>   FB: dmgina
>> www.twitter.com/dmgina
>> every saint has a past
>> every sinner has a future
>
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>
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> -- 
> --Dar
> skype: dmgina23
>  FB: dmgina
> www.twitter.com/dmgina
> every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future
>
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