Gentle Correction Time! Let's lead, not to be led again...

The Gentle Leader is a very successful and gentle method that controls lead pulling for most dogs. It is easy to put on and adjusts to fit your dog. We love that the premise for the head collar is to control the head without applying pressure to the neck area, making the Gentle Leader a very safe and humane solution.

The lead fits over the top of the muzzle of the dog, but still allows the dog to open its mouth, drink water, and take treats. By going over the top of the muzzle, when the dog pulls, it applies pressure to the muzzle, not the neck, which is safer and a natural dominating action that dogs use with each other. This tells the dog who is in charge.

The collar is made so the dog cannot remove it. The collar does take getting used to for some dogs. Treating the dog every time you put it on, especially the first timmes, will help the dog accept the collar more easily. We think it is a super design and can make walking with your dog much more fun and easy.

Please take time to read before purchasing a training collar -
Delinda's Basic Facts about Dogs and Training Collars:

Training Collar Basics: It has been my experience through building the right relationship with your dog, that you do not need the use of training collars. Through a wide array of experiences, I believe that you can completely, successfully train your dog without any of these devices. While simple devices such as the Haltie and Gentle Leader or a no-pull harness are fairly gentle alternatives and are used by many with great success, other training devices, also used extensively, look and can be cruel.

Yes, you will see an availability of training collars pictured in my products pages: Collars/Leads and Training Page. You will find the Gentle Leader and no-pull harnesses, both minimum-impact forms of training aids. On these pages you will also see "pinch" or "prong" collars and e-stim collars. You may also think that these devices are over the top. And you are absolutely right! I consider these devices to be what I call extreme training aids. So, why are they here on your site Delinda? Why would you add extreme training aids?

While I am the wimp of all wimps when it comes to harming anything...admitedly, I capture and release even bugs...I do also see situations in which utilizing these training aids/devices is much less cruel than the alternative of not correcting the behavior. And, if someone is going to use them, then I would like to help them use a better version of said item. And, I would like to have the opportunity to provide thoughtful, experienced knowledge. So, before you completely judge about these items, or even if you already have a completely decisive opinion about them, please read on...

If you happen to get a middle of the road, easy going, easy to train dog, then yeah for you! If you have a hard, stubborn dog and are a really good and experienced handler, then no sweat! But what if you have a rescued dog with already set behaviors and you have no idea how the behavior came about? What if you are in over your head and you have tried many different training techniques with absolutely no success? Unfortunately, we must accept the fact not everyone has the current knowledge or ability to train every temperament of dog. That said, I still only suggest an extreme training aid when one has exhausted all other avenues and the behavior of the dog you are trying to correct is in some way endangering.

Yes, I would absolutely recommend these methods be used for a brief, corrective time than to not use them and end with the tragic alternative: the dog ends directly injured or killed by the behavior, ends in a shelter, or ends abandoned - all, sadly, which happens regularly in the US today. According to statistics by the ASPCA, only 40% of dogs make it out of the shelter system leaving a whopping 60% euthanized for various reasons. If humans were given only a 40% survival chance for a disease, it would be devastating news. If the doctor then told you that by going through the use of a small electrical stimulation or that a choke or pinch could save your life, would you submit to such treatment? If a dog could be saved from going into a shelter or saved from its own dangerous behavior by correctly using an extreme training device, then I do think it is appropriate to use this device and that it would be cruel to not use the device. While harsh yes, the device is not nearly as cruel as the alternatives.

That said, I do want to reiterate that there is most always a way to successfully train your dog without the use of any extreme training aid. It usually has to do with you altering your behavior, consistency, or mental demeanor with your dog or giving your dog the right positive reason to obey. However, I am not naive to think that everyone is going to know or understand what to alter or how to alter behavior successfully, as it takes knowledge, experience and finesse. I recommend you first try to obtain that knowledge, experience and finesse through a really good trainer who understands canine behavior and behavior modification or through spending the time and investment needed to learn yourself. Please note: behavior modification is not usually taught through local obedience courses. Not all trainers understand modification and shaping. There are the right trainers or training materials available to address every behavior problem and that gives you clear, simple to follow techniques to correct it. These are always a better option before purchasing a more extreme training aid.

Are They Harmful?: I do believe these devices can be harmful and even cruel if the device is misused and overused. I only recommend these devices as a very last resort and for things that are already endangering, especially jeopardizing to the dog's life.

Is the dog chasing cars? Is the dog jumping fences and getting into areas that endanger its life? Remember that some neighborhoods may appear safe, but what poisons have your neighbors used lately on their lawns or left out in food for pest control? Has someone left out antifreeze? Is the dog chasing rabbits or squirrels - a chase that could inadvertently end across a roadway? All I am pointing out here is there is a point where you might need to weigh the advantages over the disadvantages. If you have tried all other methods and a corrective device prevents a behavior that endangers the dog's health or well being in a larger way, then perhaps to not use the device could be more cruel.

Or, is the dog endangering your own safety? A dog that constantly jerks your arm out of socket can tear a rotator cuff, pull your back out, or even pull you completely down creating greater injury. This is another time to consider something more extreme when all other methods have failed. So, let's look at the upside and downside of these devices so we can weigh the pros and cons. The danger that the training aid presents must be smaller than the danger the behavior is presenting.

Choke & Pinch Collars: The choke or pinch collar creates a biting effect to the dog's neck. We do know that dogs will nip at each other when playing and that dogs play rough. We also know that dogs can correct each other with a little nip. The choke and pinch collars are designed on this precept. There is not anything wrong with recreating this "nip" but you must be aware that the choke or pinch collar creates it around the entire neck of the dog. What does that mean to the dog's health?

While not designed exactly like our necks, the neck is still a delicate and sensitive area for dogs. The larynx, esophagus and trachea still all reside there. The neck still supports major blood circulation to head, eyes, ears, throat and nose and back again to the heart. The top portion of the spine is in the neck. These vital body systems can be damaged by a corrective collar, or as discussed on the collar pages, by over-jerking a regular collar or having a regular collar too tight. The damage normally occurs with overuse and misuse, but be aware that damage can happen at any time.

Some dog breeds have massive muscular thick fur-laden necks, but care and serious thought must still be taken using correction, pinching or choking as a training modality for any dog. So, if you must use a choke or pinch to prevent a greater harm through behavior, then use minimally and with diligent care.

The E-Stim Collar: The e-stim collar has virtually no harmful affect on the dog's tissues and organs, but as importantly, can affect the dog on an emotional level if misused. Delivering stim that is too strong to a soft or insecure dog can have an adverse emotional effect. Delivering stim with the wrong timing can also have an adverse effect. Utilizing the stim collar all the time for everything or with the wrong timing can destroy a dog's drive, trust for the handler and excitement and spirit for life.

However, if stim is used only for a particular remote training problem with precision and knowledge, it is highly effective. If used properly and precisely, it is usually only needed once or twice to correct behavior and then, in my book, be done with it. Use appropriately and be done with it as quickly as possible. You may need follow-up with only the tone or vibration to gently reinforce not choosing the endangering behavior for a short time. Usually, re-delivery of the stim is not really needed. If you couple it with positive rewards and motivation for correct behavior, then it is a really quick and dynamic duo.

The physical damage that can happen with a shock collar is when the collar is left on regularly. Chafing and infection can occur where the stim posts contact the dog's skin, especially if the dog gets wet. There is not enough electricity to burn the skin in a e-stim collar. If your dog has an irritation at the contact points, either your dog has sensitive skin that is irritated by the rubbing of the points, the collar is too tight, or you have left the collar on for too long or a combination of these.

For this reason, I do not ever promote the use of a bark collar. Barking, however obnoxious, is not in any way life threatening and a dog should not live in an electrical stim collar. There are too many effective trainings that can rid dogs of excessive barking. Barking is a natural function, like talking for you and I. Excessive barking is not ok and comes from other unbalances in the dog's environment and state of mind. Although training takes time and patience, they are so worth pursuing and experiencing together with your dog. Through experience, I do not consider e-stim an appropriate training choice in this case, nor for basic commands, or anything not life endangering.

The Ongoing Concern: The concern with using pinch, choke, and e-stim is that some dogs really do have powerful necks and high tollerances for these corrective measures. They can become immune, completely desensitized, to these corrective training aids. This is another compelling reason to employ the extreme training aids only for brief use. Keep them in your pocket of possibilities as a last resort only. Always remember in any training method utilizing correction: one very quick, well delivered and surprising, perfectly timed correction is worth a hundred corrections not properly applied. When the dog becomes numb to the discomfort of an extreme training aid's unpleasant correction by being subjected to it over and over, then in my book, the overuse has become grotesque and absolutely cruel.

Puppies: Corrective training collars of any kind should never for any reason be used on puppies. To put a choke, pinch or e-collar on a puppy is, to me, completely unnecessary and unforgiveable. Why would anyone do this, especially to a puppy, when the dog wants to please you through your consistent, fair leadership? Why would anyone ever consider this route for a new and completley maleable puppy when to train with positive methods have proven to be much more successful?

The Training Collar Conclusion: While I prefer other methods, training collars and halters can be effective tools. I only suggest the use of any kind of extreme training collar as a last resort and only in the case of the behavior presenting some kind endangerment. I also only recommend this equipment use for a session or two to help get across a point that the dog clearly understands, but is not really wanting to get. Usually, the point is not being gotten because the person is not personifying the right calm leadership role in some subtle way or presenting a better alternative for the dog. Sometimes with a rescue, the dog may have a long, successful history of getting away with this behavior. Now the dog's mind may have too much history of success to easily break the pattern, especially when the dog is now with a new, unproven pack leader. The unwillingness to comply might just be testing your leadership, which is why all other measures should be exhausted first.

Choke, pinch and e-collars are not ever for regular use. Positive training for successful behavior must be rewarded at the same time should you decide to employ their use. It is best if you can use the device with exact proper timing so that it only need to be used once or twice. You must consider that these collars are expensive for such brief use, but if they save a dog's life or injury to you or your dog, then is that price really too high? Please consider deeply all that I have written here before making a purchase such as this and utilize these training tools with great caution, careful monitoring, and the deepest care and compassion for your dog.

In Conclusion: I am not asking you to agree or disagree with me on any of the points I have presented here. I am providing my viewpoint on the matter as an experienced trainer and handler. Only you know your situation and must make your own decision about the right equipment and training methods for you and your dog. I hope this discourse has provided you some things to consider on your path to the best possible life with your best canine friend.

Thank You...for taking the time to find our more! - Delinda