Best leash?

May 3, 2008 6:09 PM

What is the best type of leash/collar/harness to control a large, unruly Pomeranian that likes to lunge and bark at people during walks?
posted by spacefire to Pets & Animals (22 answers total)

Gentle Leader is good. Read the directions and follow them - if you don't follow them you are going to be even worse off after two walks. Think of this as a behavioral problem that you just can't buy your way out of. You are going to have to spend time workin gon this as well.
posted by bigmusic at 6:18 PM on May 3, 2008

Gentle Leader

We have an 80 lb. Golden/Chow mix that only my husband could walk prior to getting the Gentle Leader. It was recommended to us by a professional trainer. It works much like a horse bridle - on the theory that a dog will follow wherever his nose goes. Because of this design, whenever the dog pulls on the leash, his nose is pulled around in a circle, defeating the purpose of dragging on the leash.

It does take the dog a while to get used to having it on his muzzle. Since we don't walk our dog regularly, he still tries to get it off, but it is amazing to see how quickly he learned to walk beside us on the leash! We're talking the same day - no more dragging - the human is in complete control of the dog at all times. If your dog has a problem with lunging at people, you can just shorten the leash when nearing people and you should be able to easily control this behavior.

The only negative thing about it is that people think the dog is wearing a muzzle and thing he is dangerous. So you end up endlessly explaining that it's not.

You do want to make sure you have a good fit, so recommend taking the dog somewhere that you can try it on, or ideally, have it fitted. We found a vet that sells them and they were happy to fit him and show us how to work it (a little tricky at first).
posted by caroljean63 at 6:29 PM on May 3, 2008

We went to a pet store (PetCo?) years ago and got a harness for our Siberian Husky. It went under her front legs and around her back. The package said it worked the way mother dogs pick up their pups. Sure enough, it kept our Siberian from pulling - a dog that is bred to pull heavy loads. Any time she'd pull, it would almost lift her front legs off the ground... but painlessly.
posted by IndigoRain at 6:45 PM on May 3, 2008

I came here to recommend the Gentle Leader too. Glad to see others have as well.

I have had a very active Boston terrier who strained so hard at his leash he was constantly choking himself. Our obedience trainer gave me a Gentle Leader and called it the 10-minute miracle. She was totally right. I have recommended this to dozens of people it worked so well for us. We don't even have to use it anymore, he is trained not to pull now.

Be sure though you have someone show you how to use it. The directions on the package are good but it's never safe to completely construct a dog's muzzle, so get some help in the shop the first few times you try it to make sure you are doing it right. Better yet, enroll in an obedience class. It will be good for both you AND your dog.
posted by Brittanie at 6:52 PM on May 3, 2008

I recommend the Halti, which moves the attachment point of the leash to underneath the chin. If your dog tries to run off, it pulls the head around.

I love it because my dog won't brace against it like she does her neck collar. It doesn't cause discomfort, it just pulls her nose away from the interesting thing.

Also, she was trained with it on, so as soon as I put it on her, she behaves very, very well.
posted by tomble at 6:54 PM on May 3, 2008

Nthing the Gentle Leader. It was also recommended to us by our trainer; walking around the streets of New York, many other dogs have them on. It's a common problem and the Gentle Leader has essentially solved the problem of our dog trying to chase joggers, follow pieces of trash floating by, etc. However, ours still tries to get the Leader off by rubbing her face against the legs of every new person she meets on the street.

If we happen to not use the Gentle Leader on occasion, our dog will still try to pull, unlike Britannie's dog.

Looking at tomble's link, it appears that the Haiti is pretty much the same design as the Gentle Leader.

The only downside is that your dog will dislike having it on. It can irritate the skin a bit if your dog has sensitive skin. Ours likes to compulsively scratch the area it touches her skin after a walk.
posted by kathryn at 7:06 PM on May 3, 2008

It works much like a horse bridle - on the theory that a dog will follow wherever his nose goes.

lol, I take it you've never tried to lead a horse by the bridle? (bridle has a bit so I think you meant a halter and, trust me, a horse can leve any time it wants to no matter what you have on it's head. It's training and to a lesser extent herd instinct that keeps them in-hand, not muscle. If you have to spin a horse in a circle you've already lost control and it's survival mode, not training mode).

I really dislike the head collar style leaders for dogs and think they have huge potential to cause neck injuries, especially when combined with long leashes and dogs with a tendency to lunge. A dog neck is not the same as a horse neck at all- the average small horse can lift a grown man off the ground using it's neck alone so it's considerably stronger than a dogs. It's also built differently and not as susceptable to being lashed to the side by the weight of a human pulling on it. Finally, all the dogs I know hate their halters which is enough reason for me not to use one.

I'm probably in the minority but I'd recommend a pinch collar for the pulling and a few come-to-Jesus moments for the aggression. That is ~not~ ok. Bring a Nalgene full of ice water and up-end it on him every time he gets uppity. Follow up with a severe scolding and a series of sit-stays until he learns who is in charge (hint: it should be you).
posted by fshgrl at 7:51 PM on May 3, 2008

The EasyWalk harness (made by Premier, who make the Gentle Leader) is the single most awesome bit of dog paraphernalia I've seen in the last few years, it takes far less work than the GL (put it on, adjust it to size, go) and it does exactly the right thing: dog pulls, dog gets directed away from what it's pulling toward and back to you. I think head halters can work for some dogs and owners, but they are often misused and many dogs take a LOT of time to get used to them, the EasyWalk harness is my go-to recommendation.

But please don't forget actual training - no gadget can take the place of proper training and socialization.
posted by biscotti at 7:53 PM on May 3, 2008

I like the EasyWalk too, for my 53ish lb. lab, she's very strong but if I kep the leash short I can controll her, and she can't try to get it off like the Gentle Leader.
posted by starfish at 8:17 PM on May 3, 2008

The Gentle Leader is essentially a pinch collar in that it is a sliding loop that will tighten around the dog's snout if s/he tries to pull. Tomble's "Halti" works in the same way — if a dog tries to pull, the GL, which is attached under the snout, will pull it's head back towards you. Dogs do not like this and so they will not try to pull.

Boston terriers have very short snouts and my dog did not like having the GL on. When it was on him correctly it was right under his eyes. By the way, he is very good at getting it off if I don't watch him and verbally stop him. But I think his annoyance with it is part of the reason it worked so effectively. He'd rather do anything than have to wear it again.

Incidentally I had a very tiny Chinese friend who weighed maybe 85 lbs who owned a very large and rambunctious Golden retriever puppy. The dog dragged her down the street one time so severely she had to get 20 stitches in her knee. She bought a GL after that and never had trouble again.

As mentioned above, people will think your dog is muzzled. Many people think Bostons are fighting dogs anyway and I kind of enjoyed the Don't Eff With Me mystique the Gentle Leader gave us. You might not, though.
posted by Brittanie at 8:34 PM on May 3, 2008

I would strongly recommend against the gentle leader/Halti styles -- seconding fshgrl in that I have seen dogs with neck injuries from these. They only work if you are very skilled at adjusting them to fit your dog's physiology *and* behavior. Our border collie learned to work hers within a week and I am now glad that I did not persist with it. Unless you want to risk serious injury, these do not work with a bright dog (only you know how intelligent your dog is, in circumventing controls). I sometimes weep at local people with terrified dogs in tight gentle leader collars - you can see the dog getting more and more withdrawn and frightened of going for a walk - they are only successful with confident (and slightly dumb) dogs. Like fshgrl, I would also recommend a pinch collar a.k.a. prong collar (Brittanie is incorrect that this is a sliding loop - it is actually a set of blunt prongs that discomforts but will not puncture the neck of a strong dog). The worst sort of collar is a choke collar - you can damage the dog's windpipe with one of these. See http://www.doganswers.com/collars.htm for a discussion of various collar pros and cons. Only you know the likely effect on your dog, but be aware that many dogs can be seriously psychologically damaged by a scary collar, as well as physically damaged.
posted by sgmax at 9:55 PM on May 3, 2008

"The Gentle Leader is essentially a pinch collar in that it is a sliding loop that will tighten around the dog's snout if s/he tries to pull. "

If this is happening, you're NOT using the GL correctly. It is designed to lock in place so that it does NOT tighten or loosen once it is on.

I think that "scary, terrified, and psychologically damaging" are a bit over the top adjectives to use for the GL. I'd like to see some statistics for how many dogs have actually been injured using them. I'd be surprised to see an epidemic of neck injuries. In many cases, this is a much more gentle way to handle a dog than dragging it on a choke collar or a pincher. Our trainer said that allowing a dog to pull with their neck on ANY collar actually stimulates their instinct to pull more.

I will agree that it may be difficult to fit a dog with a short snout. Again, a proper fit is really the key to the GL. It's certainly worth a try. At worst, you're out less than $20.

LOL on the horse comments - it's obvious from my comments that I no NOTHING about horses!
posted by caroljean63 at 11:35 PM on May 3, 2008

Go with an easy walker. We tried a gentle leader for six months to some success, but the easy walker was an instant improvement. Turns out the gentle leader was really stressing our dog.

Also, definitely work on training. Small dogs don't generally get a lot of respect from people, which can make them aggressive. Picking them up when they feel threatened, not taking their barking and growling seriously, etc.
posted by Good Brain at 1:48 AM on May 4, 2008

My dog simply would not adjust to the gentle leader. I think some just won't. We're talking half an hour plus of leaping, writhing, etc., while with a trainer. So go ahead and try it, but don't assume you can get your dog adjusted.

For a smaller dog I'd think some type of no-pull harness would work. We use a pinch collar with our 80 lb dog but I don't think they make them in Pomeranian size!

In many cases, this is a much more gentle way to handle a dog than dragging it on a choke collar or a pincher. Our trainer said that allowing a dog to pull with their neck on ANY collar actually stimulates their instinct to pull more.

You can find as many trainers as opinions, you know, but really if the pinch collar is used correctly it's very effective and safe. You don't drag a dog with it, you just snap it and the dog responds. It's perfectly gentle.
posted by miss tea at 5:05 AM on May 4, 2008

I had more success with my boxers and a prong collar than the gentle leader. They look barbaric, but they don't hurt... I tied it myself and and my housemate yank on it and it didn't hurt me, so I doubt it's hurt my dog's stronger neck. They pinch rather than poke with the prongs.

But more training and leadership on your part is needed, regardless of what type of collar you choose. Also, try more than one kind of collar, prongs are probably cheaper... so, try whatever gets you results.
posted by glip at 6:38 AM on May 4, 2008

The problem with a prong/pinch collar is that it can increase arousal and aggression (they are routinely used for precisely this purpose in some venues of dog sports), and they can also result in redirected aggression toward the handler - I have no problem with them for training when they are used correctly (and they come in sizes for any breed of dog), but they are not appropriate for aggression management - in a dog who is already stressed enough to lunge at people, adding a prong collar into the mix is only going to increase that stress and arousal, the goal should be to decrease it. The good old "come to jesus" moments are all well and good for some situations, but aggression is usually fear-based and putting the dog into an even greater state of arousal is unlikely to help (and is likely to get the handler injured if the dog is stressed enough). Even experienced trainers who believe in old-school training methods agree that harsh corrections are not the way to go for aggression or fear management.

This dog sounds like it needs remedial socialization and calming focus work, please find a trainer who can help with this. Books to consider are Patrica McConnell's "The Cautious Canine", Ali Brown's "Scaredy Dog" and anything based on modern methods which addresses reactive dogs (Ian Dunbar has a book about preventing aggression as well).
posted by biscotti at 7:47 AM on May 4, 2008

The problem with a prong/pinch collar is that it can increase arousal and aggression

We've had the opposite experience with our current dog. Very, very cat/ livestock aggressive when we got her and a hard puller and the pinch collar combined with a lot of being made to sit nicely while other animals walked by has 90% fixed it. She knows what to do in a stressful situation now and is happy to do it. She's quite literally would leap 3' straight up then lunge violently so I think we would have snapped her neck in anything else. Besides the OPs dog is a pomerian, I think the OP can handle it.
posted by fshgrl at 9:04 AM on May 4, 2008

Very, very cat/ livestock aggressive when we got her and a hard puller and the pinch collar combined with a lot of being made to sit nicely while other animals walked by has 90% fixed it.

Prey drive is not human-oriented aggression. The potential for pinch collars to increase arousal and aggression is well documented, as I said, it CAN increase arousal and aggression. If the dog is lunging at people it is likely undersocialized and fearful, making that fear warranted, by causing the dog pain/discomfort when the object of its fear appears (as happens with a pinch collar), will only cement the dog's need for that reaction. No knowledgeable trainers recommend use of hard corrections when the problem at hand is fear or aggression, this is not the same problem as your dog wanting to go after livestock and cats.
posted by biscotti at 10:33 AM on May 4, 2008

Biscotti has (yet again) given some excellent advice. (It's worth checking out all her other dog advice as well.) Dogs bark and lunge for different reasons, and judging by the Pomeranians I've seen, I'm willing to bet that your Pom is very reactive. A prong collar can be disastrous with this type of dog--they are already overstimulated and having trouble coping with all the sensory input around them; to add pain and more fear to the situation will only make it worse. The right equipment can help, but you really need to address the root of the problem. I know, because I've got a very reactive Sheltie. I resisted consulting a behaviorist for the longest time, stupidly viewing it as a last resort, but applying the advice we got in just one session has almost completely cured the problem. I should have done it in the very beginning. I can't urge you strongly enough to consult with a behaviorist who uses *positive* methods.

Also, I see from your comment history that this dog was adopted from a shelter and given up once already for temperament problems, so it sounds like he's got some real issues. You've done so much for him already; why not try to really solve his problem once and for all?

Meanwhile, I think the safest solution for controlling the lunging without potentially causing further harm would be the Easy Walk harness by Premier, linked by others above. The Gentle Leader/Halti type head halter is indeed very effective for some dogs, but a reactive dog is often out of control and can easily hurt its neck with these. The Easy Walk works immediately and safely. Because it attaches in the front, every time the dog tries to lunge or pull, it just inexplicably finds itself turned sideways. It won't cure the other reactivity issues like barking, but it will definitely help with the lunging.
posted by Enroute at 11:01 AM on May 4, 2008

Gentle Leader. I would definitely schedule some time for the dog to simply wear the harness around the house, no pressure. It may take a couple evenings, but the dog will grow bored of it. Spend some time in the backyard or somewhere super safe and non-excitable. I wouldn't want my cocker spaniel to realize her new limits in maximum neurotic mode. When ready, go for a brief walk, be prepared, and don't try to pull her back like a normal leash.

Since you have a pom, I assume it has long hair. When I had a sheltie, any self-tightening or chest type lease would just pull and rip his hair.

Finally, putting a harness style leader around the chest only CHALLENGED my cocker to pull harder. Think sled dog.
posted by ick at 4:32 PM on May 6, 2008

Finally, putting a harness style leader around the chest only CHALLENGED my cocker to pull harder. Think sled dog.M/i>

With traditional harnesses, yes, but this is not how the Easy Walk harness works, it makes pulling counterproductive.
posted by biscotti at 5:07 AM on May 9, 2008

With traditional harnesses, yes, but this is not how the Easy Walk harness works, it makes pulling counterproductive.

Provided the Easy Walker is used correctly with the leash attachement in the front, across the breastbone. I've seen so many of them fitted like a traditional harness, with the attachment on the back.
posted by Good Brain at 12:58 AM on May 10, 2008