Gentle Leader Review

Understand I came at this review with some skepticism in place. I'd tried other "gentle" solutions that either weren't gentle
or weren't effective. One example was a harness style rig that pinched the armpit area of the dog when she pulled. Not only
was it not gentle, (People were looking at me with disapproval every time Kiwi charged to the end of the leash and gave
herself a ferocious under-arm pinch) but it was such a chore to put on her that it fell into disuse after a week.

Once correctly fitted (fit is EXTREMELY important with this product and very well explained in the painstakingly detailed
DVD included with the packaging) the Gentle LeaderŽ takes me under 4 seconds to put on my dog. It is completely
painless and, as already stated, supremely effective. The leader works on the premise that a dog goes where she looks.
Attempting to pull turns the dog's head around back towards its owner. In a few short minutes my dog learned not to pull,
tug or charge. Admittedly, the first few minutes were a bit awkward for owner and dog alike.

Premier advises that your dog may rub her muzzle on the ground or your leg, paw at her snout or buck like a young colt in
an effort to remove the Gentle LeaderŽ when first worn. Kiwi did all of this as well as contort herself into some truly
comical positions in an effort to get it off. But with the rest of the pack leaving us behind and my not showing any sympathy
to her plight (per Premier's well documented instructions) Kiwi and I were soon walking along at a calm pace with only the
occasional whimper of complaint from her.

The change this simple device has made in our lives in just one week is simply miraculous. Gone is the tension I feel on
walks. Gone are the arguments that sometimes ensue when my wife feels I'm being too stern in an effort to correct Kiwi's
behavior and I'm at my wit's end. Gone is my resentment when the healing time of my joints, already damaged from rock
climbing, is aggravated by Kiwi yanking on the leash for all she's worth. BAA can't recommend this product enough for any
would be adventurer who owns a dog and would like to bring her along but hasn't due to uncontrolled pulling.

When summer draws to a close this year and the weather gets cooler, I suspect I'll be going on a hike in the Shenandoah
Mountains. As much as I'm looking forward to the fresh air and the wilderness around me, I'm mostly looking forward to
enjoying it with a well heeled and loyal best friend, Kiwi, at my side. I won't worry about her charging after other hikers or
potentially running me TOWARDS a threatening bear. I might miss her ability to pull me up hills, though.

Ever thought of taking your dog on a hike or camping trip? I have. I've
reconsidered every time. Of the three dogs I own (am owned by?) two would
make semi-suitable camping companions. One, however, is extremely willful and
too easily distracted. The other, an Australian Shepherd named Kiwi, is extremely
protective, semi-aggressive to strangers and freakishly strong but is such a daddy's
girl I'd love to have her along on a trip.

I've endured Kiwi's break-neck efforts to get to the end of the leash for years. My
wife doesn't think favorably of choke collars and the like and, walking three dogs,
there are simply too many distractions to effectively train her. Kiwi that is, not my
wife. My wife was acquired pre-trained and has even done a fairly good job of
housebreaking me.