Anyone have experience with the Gentle Leader collar?

Hi. Im having one heck of a time getting this thing right, was wondering if anyone with experience could offer any tips.Ive been adjusting and readjusting this thing all day, my dog's had so many treats today she'll need an extra walk!

Here's my issues. Ive got it really snug at the top of her neck, its so snug I dont think I could fasten it if I made it tighter and yet I can still slide 2 fingers under and the directions say only 1 should fit. The bottom is up as far on her throat as I can get it. The nose loop is loose enough to slide down her nose but not off and she can eat, drink, pant and all but it doesnt seem to sit behind the corners of her mouth as much as in the pictures.

My biggest problem is once I put it on theres a throatiness to her panting/breathing that isnt there when I take it off. So I must be doing something wrong but I keep readjusting and Im getting frustrated. On the other hand I wonder if the throatiness is due to her not being used to it because when I first tried it she refused to eat or drink with it on even though she could. But I just dont feel comfortable leaving this on her and taking her for a walk with this weird breathing going on.

Any tips on what Im doing wrong?

I don't have any Gentle Leader advice on this but thought I'd tell you my experience with a similar "collar".

I have a golden retriever and a labrador retriever. I don't have the gentle leader but I have the Halti, but I think they are similarly made if I recall correctly?

Anyway, don't know what kind of dog you have, but the Halti fits great on my golden (he has a bigger, chubbier muzzel) but not so great on my Lab, whose muzzel is narrower. With her I had similar issues as you're describing--never got it to fit well enough that I felt confident with it. My concern was it would slip off during a walk and she'd get loose from me, so I hooked the leash to her regular D-ring on her collar as well as to the Halti ring.

Don't know if the outcome was the result of a fit issue or not, but on her it didn't work as well--she still pawed it and even managed to get it off her face. On my golden it worked like a charm and he didn't paw it at all, and walked perfectly wearing it.

Is there a phone number on the package maybe? They may have some tips.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. Our dog is actually both, part lab part golden. Ive temporarily given up on it for now- which DH is ticked because it cost like $20. LOL I just got so frustrated and she needs to be walked daily anyway.

I did narrow it down to it having to do with the nose loop. With just the collar part she's fine, but once the nose loop goes on she breathes heavier. Which I dont get at all because the nose loop is loose so its a big mystery. Ive checked out their website and Googled but I cant seem to find anybody with this problem its weird.

Im going to keep trying it, thinking maybe she's working herself up when the nose loop goes on and after she gets used to it it'll get better?

Originally Posted by foolofatook Thanks for the reply. Our dog is actually both, part lab part golden. Ive temporarily given up on it for now- which DH is ticked because it cost like $20. LOL I just got so frustrated and she needs to be walked daily anyway. I did narrow it down to it having to do with the nose loop. With just the collar part she's fine, but once the nose loop goes on she breathes heavier. Which I dont get at all because the nose loop is loose so its a big mystery. Ive checked out their website and Googled but I cant seem to find anybody with this problem its weird. Im going to keep trying it, thinking maybe she's working herself up when the nose loop goes on and after she gets used to it it'll get better?

It does kinda sound like anxiety to me....don't really know, though. I know what a gentle leader is, but I've never actually used one (considered it, though)

I have used the Halti and the Gentle Leaders - I preferred the Gentle Leader. I remember they were tricky to make sure you had it on just right...

Two things come to mind: are you sure you have the correct size? and can you take it and the dog to the store where you purchased the collar to see if someone can help you get the proper fit? I buy our dog food at Petsmart and they are always very helpful.

Good luck - the Gentle Leader worked wonders for our dogs

Originally Posted by ellabean I have used the Halti and the Gentle Leaders - I preferred the Gentle Leader. I remember they were tricky to make sure you had it on just right... Two things come to mind: are you sure you have the correct size? and can you take it and the dog to the store where you purchased the collar to see if someone can help you get the proper fit? I buy our dog food at Petsmart and they are always very helpful. Good luck - the Gentle Leader worked wonders for our dogs

I got the one with her weight range so Im pretty sure its the right size. I think I might stop back at the store and ask them for advice. I dont take her to the pet store with me as she gets really overexcited and acts like a maniac. But Im thinking once I can get this collar to work out I might finally be able to take her in with me! LOL

Dh is completely convinced its all in her head and she's faking it to get out of wearing the thing! (He likes to point out that she has me wrapped around her little...uh...paw?) Thats actually a possibility.

Thanks for the advice everyone, Im determined to figure this thing out! (We took a break today as I dont think either of us wanted to look at the thing, but tommorrow we're going to try getting used to it some more)