Seeking opinions about gentle leader/head halter

I brought a GL in which I felt was a waste of money.  It was easier for me to use the regular harness.  [&:]

read here: [linkhttp://www.flyingdogpress.com/headhalters.html]http://www.flyingdogpress.com/headhalters.html[/link]
 
I don't like them. Dogs often seem to be well, depressed while wearing them. It's the only dog-equipment I have that my dogs don't like. They go nuts when I get the ecollars out (yay! off leash run time!), get the easy walk harnesses out (yay! jogging time!), and so on. Get out the halti, and dogs slink away. They'd rather stay home than be walked in them.

My dogs generally wear nothing for off lead runs.  Maybe a drag line, but more often than not, nothing.  However, when we are going into town to walk around other people and dogs, just to keep in practice all I have to say is "wanna go into town to walk?" and Sheba goes and GETS her halti.

Both of my dogs hate the Halti with a passion.  Sure, it stops them from pulling but both of them are miserable wearing it and constantly try to rub their faces on everything to get it off.  I've heard no-pull harnesses are much better because the dogs like them more, but I haven't got one yet, though I'm looking into it.

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy

They go nuts when I get the ecollars out (yay! off leash run time!), get the easy walk harnesses out (yay! jogging time!)

 
What's your opinion about using an ecollar with a dog who has aggressive issues?  And I've heard that the harness on some dogs just encourages them to pull - do you experience that?

Ecollars don't necessarily affect aggression if you aren't using it to try and control the aggression. 
 
Properly teaching obedience on an ecollar is a great reinforcement for safe off leash fun.
 
Most dogs will pull harder when put on a harness (depending on the type of harness).  I prefer to train an nice leash walk than to use equipment if at all possible.  OR use the equipment to actually train the dog as opposed to using it as a crutch.

Well, my opinions on the Gentle Leader is this: I'm using one for my service dog in training puppy, because they want me to. I have been working with it for a while, she still doesn't like it, and will try to rub it off any chance she gets. It does stop her pulling for the most part, as she does pull on her regular collar sometimes, though she doesn't like it very much, and will still jump around with it a little.

I'm sure some dogs will get used to that and not mind it, but I still haven't gotten her used to it completely yet. And I've heard that some trainers are now steering people away from the Gentle Leader, because it can cause neck problems down the road, if the dog continues to pull on it. I wouldn't think that it would be very good for the dog's face either, with that strap rubbing on their face. However, that's just my opinoin.

I find it a little difficult to use actually, because of the fact that  the snap to put the leash on is on the bottom, and when you'd pull on the leash, it kind of twists their face, unlike regular or the training collars which you can hook on the top of their neck and it;s easier. My opinion is that a halter is great for a horse, because their heads are usually level to you or above you, and you pull downwards, right? But if its on a dog, then pulling up is kind of awkward.

Another thing is that I've always thought the GL wasn't really a training tool, as they will say, but more of a restraining too. Which is ok if that's what you're looking for ( as in a harness), but I would rather have a collar that would train and control.

Ok, I think that is all I have to say []

My sister tried on on her Smooth Fox terrier.  He hated it and shut completely down. 

Don't ride a bike but im sure as long as you keep checking back here there wilol be a lot of grerat answer to your Q!! The people here on this site know so much them have been a great help im, sure they can help you as well!!!

If you pull the lead through the regular collar loop you'll minimize the chance of neck damage.

I think the fact that I can (but don't) used the sight of the GL as punishment for Maddi speaks for itself. I just have to pick the darn thing up and her ears go back, head goes down, and that lovely "life is great" look goes out of her eye. I don't generally care for it and will only use it in non-training situations where I need to be in control of her and she's being difficult.

I know plenty of people who use a GL and their dogs seem just fine with it.  And I see other dogs who are clearly unhappy and fuss with it constantly.  Pofi would not tolerate it AND there is the issue of so many people thinking it is a muzzle and giving you a wide berth and suspicious glances when you use it.  Having a big dog is challenging enough with people's perceptions, so I switched to the Easy Walk harness.  It works better for me and for my dogs - keeps 110 pounds of dog from being able to inadvertently pull me off my feet, yet they don't act like they are too restricted or uncomfortable.  Pofi actually is more receptive to this harness then others...

My great dane is not a fan, although he definately behaves better when he's wearing it, and my boyfriend refers it to a prong collar that our trainer recommended we use with him.  Although, when I walk him it's with the prong collar - I think he tolerates it better and is easier to walk with it (he constantly tries to rub off the GL)
 
Our chow pulled so much before we got the GL that I would get pulled down the street.  I take her running with me now, and while she doesn't look happy when she sees the GL, once it's on she doesn't seem to mind at all.  She has also slowly begun to improve on a regular lead since we have been using the GL.

I'm using the New Trix head halter recommended by our trainer. Both dogs have resigned themselves to wearing it, but neither seem particularly happy about it. On a regular harness, though, they are virtually uncontrollable. They're great until they see another dog or person and then they start pulling. I guess this is probably just lack of training on my part. I just haven't gotten the motivation to take them on seperate walks and teach them not to pull. And although they know basic commands, "come" "heel" etc, I wouldn't trust them off leash except in a fenced area, because Elkhounds are notorious for being independent and running off.