Up until now I've never needed any special gear to walk Kenzie, just her flat collar. Lately she's been getting more difficult to walk. Mainly if we see someone walking by she justs gets out of control and just overexcited in general.
With Guinness (&Bear), I did have prong collars on them. They never really needed them, but I felt more secure with them on, I saw a flat collar break on a pulling dog once!

I tried a easy walk harness on her and actually felt like I had less control over her, but pulling isn't really her problem.

I'm in the process if teaching her to sit and watch me when someone passes us, but right now I can only keep her attention on me if the person is across the street. If they are on the same side as us, she'll start getting wiggly and practically doing backflips out of excitement. I'm concerned that she will slip out of her collar or even have it break!
I've thought about getting a martingale collar, my pet store carries some that are all fabric and padded. Would this be a good option?

Also any other suggestions on keeping her under control while walking? I tried to walk her at the same time as Guinness once last week and it was a disaster! She was constantly chewing on his leash and getting tangled with him. I feel both dogs get a little cheated by walking them separately since I'm trying to fit 2 walks in roughly the same time frame!

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Bear 6/2000-5/27/2012

I had the same issues with Libbie. I "solved" the problem by using Gentle Leader, which was going great. Then I came to the realization that it is really just a bandage, and not really a solution. It didn't teach her not to pull or go crazy when someone approaches.

I have begun the task of teaching her that I'm in charge when we are walking, and that she cannot pull and go crazy. I also have her sit when someone approaches, and I ask them not to pay any attention to her until she calms down. This video may help you out - I'm trying this method myself right now. It is a work in progress, but I'm starting to see the results. She is walking much more nicely now with just a leash (and no gentle leader).

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Liberty - 10 months




Kim - Mommy to fur-baby Liberty and 2 human daughters 12 and 14 years old

Thanks
Kenzie isn't a puller. If we have a walk were we don't see anyone else, she would appear to an outsider to be really really well trained. I can get her to sit before we cross the street, walk in circles, come to my side if she's ahead of me, etc...
It's if we see someone that she totally losses it. She just gets so excited. I try to keep her focus on me with chicken or cheese, but that only works if the person is on the other side of the street. I'm at a loss about what to do to keep her focus if the person is passing right next to us.

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Bear 6/2000-5/27/2012

We have had good success with Max using the Gentle Leader. When it is on, he seems to know that he must walk properly. I also use the traditional type "choke" or slip collar. I like it because he cannot slip out of it.

Sometimes, I will switch between the two types of collars on the same walk. Start with the GL and switch to the choke type collar part way through.

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Dave

A prong collar works great on Bella. The Gentle Leader did not. She whipped her head around constantly trying to get it off. I'm guessing that's not good for the neck.

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Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)

Honestly the gentle leader makes me nervous. I can see how it would help, but when she gets out of control she'll literally leap around and do summer saults, I'd be concerned over damage to her neck! I remember reading somewhere that they aren't a good idea for dogs that are sudden lungers (vs pullers)

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Bear 6/2000-5/27/2012

Max resisted the Gentle Leader big time the first time we tried it, which was in his first obedience class. I think he was around 6 months old, but already pretty big. Max does not like the GL, he pulls it off his muzzle whenever he gets a chance, but as far as I can tell, it has never injured him.

Max will turn his head suddenly, such as when he spots a bunny or squirrel.

We have taken obedience classes with an independent trainer and at Petco. Both required the Gentle Leader. Petco does not allow any kind of choke or prong collars to be used.

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Dave

Buddy freaked as soon as a Prong Collar was put on him. He is was very neck sensitive when I rescued him. He would drag or slip out of a flat collar and would attempt to strangle himself on a slip/choke chain. But as soon as one of the prong from the prong collar touched his neck he was crying in the store. I know it did not hurt him but it broke my head.

Head type collar was also a giant no-go with him too. He looked like a buck'in broncho!

I did not feel secure with him a harness either or any type. But I always walk the Yorkies on harnesses- Go figure!

He still gets walked on a Martingale with chain between the d-rings instead of fabric. It works well for him and me.

Find the tool that works best for you and your pup!

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I do what I like and like what I do. Yorkies- Cozy (4/1/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/11/08), Lucy (4/6/09); Golden- Buddy (4/13/09- Rescued 12/11) Maine Coon cats- Mika (1998) and Tallulah (2000)