Hi guys! I know I'm going to get some people who disagree with me, but I honestly must sing the praises of the Gentle Leader. First of all - I had no idea this option was available to me, as my dog is barely 5lbs. But they do make GL's for all sizes, including mine!
First, let me say, I (tried!) to do everything right. When I got him - he was socialized like mad: people/kids/etc. We completed the 1st level of obedience. He occasionally goes to doggie daycare where he plays with small (and often) larger dogs, with no problems. But when we are on leash: he is a terror - especially when he sees other dogs. He wants to kill them. He pulls. He barks. And he doesn't get over it, once the stimulus has passed. He'll just continue to bark at anything..people, whatever. And it has ONLY been getting worse. I have been looking into private trainers for a while, as our walks seem to be getting increasingly stressful. He's unhappy. I'm unhappy....not a good scene. I LOOK like that person who has one of those stereotypical yappy small dogs - I look like that person who didn't take the time to train her dog ....but it's not the case at all! I thought when he was a puppy, I did all I could to get him on the right track.
Enter: the Gentle Leader. I had him wear it around the apartment for a couple of days - put it on when he ate/played, etc. And today - was the big test outside. The change in him was almost immediate. Yes, he fiddled with it somewhat. But it was the first stress-free walk I've had with him in ages. Things he would have normally ran after or barked at - he didn't. Yes, it was obvious that the nose strap bothered him..but he didn't focus on it and it was not to the degree that he refused to walk or did not have fun outside (his tail was up, he was peeing on every damn corner, the works). He knows the 'heel' command. But with a regular harness with only do it when there is nothing around us. With the GL, when he'd begin to fuss, I'd stop, let the leash 'self-correct', wait for him to stop then lure him to my side with cheese and tell him to heel.
My hope is that we can use the GL thru a 'transition' period as I continue to help him along out of this leash aggression phase. We start with a private trainer next week. I also have an easywalk harness - and hope that I can eventually wean him off the GL and onto that (for the pulling). I wanted to just let owners of small dogs know that it is an option available to them. You definitely need to be careful because the GL is self-correcting and these little guys have wee little necks. You need to just stand and let the GL do the work. No pulling or tugging on your end. I also wanted to let people know that instead of using his regular leash, I looped some lightweight (but sturdy) rope thru the metal ring, so he would not have to deal with the added weight of the leash clip dragging down his snout. Worked like a charm.
Wish us luck. I am actually hopeful now that we can get him out of this behaviour before it drives our entire neighbourhood insane!