Wearing a Gentle Leader is going to be an unusual experience for your dog — especially if he’s only used to wearing a traditional collar. The nose loop may feel very weird, kind of like a person wearing glasses for the very first time. His nose may itch or tickle.
What might your dog do to resist the Gentle Leader?
- Paw at his face.
- Roll on the ground.
- Rub his face on furniture, people’s legs, or the carpet.
- Bark or whine.
Petting your dog and telling him “it’s okay” will reinforce this behavior. Save the praise for when he is quiet and calm. Remember that the nose loop and neck loop are designed to mimic pack and parent behaviors. The nose loop is akin to a superior dog putting his mouth over an inferior dog’s muzzle. The neck loop puts pressure at the back of the neck, like a mother dog picking up a puppy. These signals tell the dog that he is no longer the top of the pack.
Remember to NOT keep a constant pull on the leash for more than thirty seconds — when there is no tension on the leash, the dog can open his mouth to pant. Believe me, your dog will be stressed and active and need room to pant while he’s getting used to the Gentle Leader.
Once your dog is calm — lying, sitting, or walking quietly — you can praise him in a happy, upbeat voice and pet him. If your dog just won’t calm down, you may want to try distracting him with a toy or treat. You can also try leaving the nose loop loose for the first few minutes, so he can get used to the feel. However, don’t make it loose enough that he can paw it off, or you’ll have one heck of a wrestling match ahead to get it back on.
If your dog seems reluctant to move or play when the Gentle Leader is on, try to increase his activity level with animated voice, words, and gestures. Encourage him with toys and treats — a treat trail laid out on the ground may get the dog to get up and come to you. Try to make your Gentle Leader practice times when the dog is hungry, so he’ll be motivated to work for the treats. Keep the practice sessions short — two to five minutes — and build up to longer sessions and actual walks.
You may choose to use a Gentle Leader for the rest of your dog’s life; you may go back to a traditional collar once you have dealt with a specific behavior problem. You can use the Gentle Leader as a traditional collar by not putting the nose loop on — that way, you have the option of more control if you need it in specific situations.