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  • crzycpgrl
    started a topic Gentle Leader Questions/Advice

    Gentle Leader Questions/Advice

    This is my 1st post on this board even though I have just about read every bulletin posted. I grew up around great danes and think they are the most amazing animals ever! So when the time came to get my 2nd family dog there was no doubt in my mind that it would be a great dane. Now I have a 14 week old puppy named Myrtle who refuses to walk on a leash. She's either pulling or putting on the brakes refusing to move. My Aussie starting lunging at people when they walked by when he was about 10 months old and a friend who used to train dogs suggested I get a gentle leader for him. My 3 year old daughter can now walk him without issue and my goal is to eventually expect the same from my great dane.

    My main question is the one I have is size Large (60-100lbs I believe) and my Myrtle is only 30 lbs as of last friday, should I go and buy the smaller size or is the other one okay to use? I can adjust the neck strap to properly fit but it is as small as it can possibly go so the buckle snap ends up sitting on the side of her neck. Any suggestions? Or another solution to this problem? I have a zero tolerance for dogs who pull on the leash and would like to get this problem stopped before she becomes a 100lb nightmare.



    In case you were wondering (which many of you no doubt are) I did not purchase my dog from a BYB who was trying to end up with mismarked "rare" puppies. My darling girl came from a reputable breeder who was rather shocked to end up with my darling "fawnequin." I actually had hoped to find a mantle puppy and the only reason we went to look at these puppies was my parents were also looking for another dog and my mom is partial to harlequins. After falling in love with her personality there was no turning back.

  • MyDaneBaby
    replied
    RE: Gentle Leader Questions/Advice

    Every dane I've trained all carry the same learning trait - when first introduced to anything new ie walk on a leash, sit, down etc. They act like their being abused as if you're killing them and freak out, however, the next day they act if they've been doing it all their lives. A soft but firm hand will have her up to par in no time. Don't coddle her when she acts this way.

    Cute baby.

    Mitch

    In Memory of Gabe. What he lacked in body he made up for in heart.
    Chicagoland pet sitting, grooming & dog training
    http://www.knowplacepets.com
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/doofuses.jpg

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  • crzycpgrl
    replied
    RE: Gentle Leader Questions/Advice

    Thanks, I think she's quite the looker not to mention a complete sweet heart. My mom has her sister and she’s quite cute also but their personalities are soooo different. She’s doing great in all of her basic training and I just need to get past this hurtle so that we all can enjoy evening walks.

    http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/ahorwath/IMG_0662.jpg[/IMG]

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  • crzycpgrl
    replied
    RE: Gentle Leader Questions/Advice

    Thanks for the advice. My aussie no longer lunges at people and eventually became a good example of the ideal dog to walk. But it has taken alot of time and patience to get him to that point. I've just become really concerned because no matter how many treats or encouragement Myrtle seems bound and determined to pull and I’m just trying to stop it before it gets worse. She did seem do to much better today, so maybe I got excited too quickly. On all other fronts she’s doing great in her training and is incredibly smart so I guess if this is her only flaw at 14 weeks we’re doing well.

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  • trainer
    replied
    RE: Gentle Leader Questions/Advice

    >Now I have a 14
    >week old puppy named Myrtle who refuses to walk on a leash.
    >She's either pulling or putting on the brakes refusing to
    >move.

    This is typical puppy stuff. Now is the time to teach her proper behavior on a leash. If you don't know how, either take her to class or hire a personal trainer to learn. It is much easier to teach her now that it will be after she has pulled for several months. If you go to a class or hire a trainer be sure ahead of time that this person uses positive methods of training.

    >My Aussie starting lunging at people when they walked
    >by when he was about 10 months old and a friend who used to
    >train dogs suggested I get a gentle leader for him.

    If your Aussie is still lunging at people, don't walk the two dogs together. Your Dane puppy will probably never think that it's possible nor is there a reason to do this unless she sees the other dog doing it.

    >My 3 year
    >old daughter can now walk him without issue and my goal is to
    >eventually expect the same from my great dane.

    Cool, I have said many times that there is not a dog I can't control with 1 finger with the Gentle Leader head harness. However, your pup is too young for a GL and is still small enought to teach with a flat buckle collar, either leather or nylon. I would teach with that and never go to the GL unless you just can't manage her without it. The big problem with the GL is that it doesn't seem to transfer to the flat collar. In other words, your dog will walk good on the GL but still pull on a flat collar. It's possible to transfer but it takes work. Better to teach on flat collar if possible. The GL is a tool, not a crutch.

    >I can adjust the neck strap to properly fit but it is
    >as small as it can possibly go so the buckle snap ends up
    >sitting on the side of her neck. Any suggestions?

    Don't get the GL yet. You should be able to control her without one for another 2 or 3 months. Work on getting her taught to walk properly on a leash before that time. If you have to use the GL it's critical that you get one that fits properly and is adjusted properly. You can adjust down a GL that is too large for the reason you mentioned.

    >I have a zero tolerance for dogs
    >who pull on the leash and would like to get this problem
    >stopped before she becomes a 100lb nightmare.

    Then teach her the proper way to walk now before she gets to be so large. If you need help, get it. It is so much easier at this age.

    Bill Carnes
    www.skylarzack.com/rawfeeding.htm

    "Unnatural diets predispose animals to unnatural outcomes"
    Dr. Tom Lonsdale

    "If you won't eat what you are feeding your dog, its not good enough to feed him either."
    Bill Carnes

    "Causing pain, either physical, mental, or emotional to an animal to force him to act as you think he should is wrong. Doing so only reflects the ignorance of the trainer. There IS a better way."
    Bill Carnes

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  • Greatest Dane
    replied
    RE: Gentle Leader Questions/Advice

    I suggest starting out with either a flat nylon collar, or a martingale. Just use treats and make walking her a fun experience.

    Start out training as simply as possible. If as she gets older she becomes harder to control, then move on to the halti. With proper training early on, you won't need a tool to walk her.

    ETA: your puppy is adorable
    ~ Alyssa and Jewel ~
    http://www.dogster.com/?191369

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  • XcelDanes
    replied
    RE: Gentle Leader Questions/Advice

    The leash problem sounds normal for new pup.She has to get used to it and learn.
    Ressesive genes can pop up at anytime.


    http://www.xceldanes.com/naptime_2.JPG
    Lisa
    www.xceldanes.com

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