Tired of Your Dog Taking You for a Walk?TM The Gentle Leader® Headcollar quickly controls jumping, pulling, barking, chewing and begging. It even teaches sit and stay in one easy lesson! This special collar works because: First of all, the Gentle Leader® Headcollar is NOT a muzzle. When fitted properly, your dog is free to open his mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch, bark and even bite - except when you close his mouth by pulling on the leash. The Gentle Leader® Headcollar features two soft nylon straps - the collar portion fits high at the top of the neck, and the nose loop fits loosely and comfortably across the base of the muzzle. Each strap has a distinct and important effect. The Nose Loop - Dogs are naturally "pack" animals with a highly structured social order. One of the ways the "pack leader" will demonstrate his position is to gently but firmly grasp a subordinate's muzzle in his mouth. This is a non-aggressive, very clear signal regarding who's the boss! The Gentle Leader's® nose loop encircles your dog's muzzle in this same manner, letting him know in his own language that you are his leader. Dogs feel more secure when they know who the leader is. The Neck Strap - Have you noticed how puppies seem to melt in relaxation when their mother picks them up at the back of the neck? Gentle Leader® applies pressure to the back of the neck rather than the front of the throat, working with your dog's natural relaxation instinct with an amazing calming effect. Also, dogs tend to pull against pressure so the gentle pressure at the back of the neck causes the dog to pull backward, not forward. This means an end to leash pulling forever! Teaches "Sit" - The Gentle Leader® Headcollar quickly encourages controlled sitting - raise your dog's nose skyward and he lowers his hindquarters - no pushing or shoving.What makes Gentle Leader® different and more effective than other products? The Gentle Leader® Headcollar is scientifically designed to work with a dog's natural instincts to respond to and obey his pack leader. Dogs don't speak human - they communicate with each other through body language, physical and vocal interaction. Because it applies pressure in the same manner and location as the pack leader or mother dog, Gentle Leader® helps you "speak your dog's own language," telling him both physically and psychologically that you are his leader! Gentle Leader® is the original and only headcollar developed, tested and recommended by veterinarians and trainers worldwide. No other product is so widely used and endorsed by the most respected professionals in the fields of training, behavior and veterinary medicine. Helps you train your dog: 1.Stops Pulling & Lunging - No more tug of wars, jerking or being dragged down the street - even children and the elderly can walk large or difficult dogs. 2.Won't Choke - Gentle Leader ® gives you control with humane restraint - pressure is applied at the back of the neck instead of the front of the throat. 3.Prevents Jumping - Easily stops jumping and other unwanted behavior as the Gentle Leader® Headcollar helps you control your dog in a "stand," "sit" or "down" position 4.Controls Barking - Stop unwanted barking with a simple pull of the lead to close your dog's mouth - no need to shout or scold. 5.Not a Muzzle - When fitted properly, your dog may open his mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch and bark - except when you pull on the leash to close his mouth. 6.Helps Manager Other Behavior Problems - Under the supervision of a trained professional, the Gentle Leader ® can be an effective tool, in an individual behavior modification program for problems such as fear, anxiety, agression, etc. Many professionals and owners have reported a calming effect on their dogs. 7.Stops Begging - Eliminate annoying behavior at meal time and help the kids hang onto their snacks! Comes in a QUICK RELEASE version or a METAL BUCKLE and 11 colors. Related Products:Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness, The Gentle Leader Training Video/DVD, Training Booklet THE PROPER FIT - AN ABSOLUTE MUST! Gentle Leader® fits differently than other collars or halters you may have used before! Without a proper fit, you may experience unnecessary problems - excessive pawing, rubbing and resistance, or chafing of the nose. The Nose Loop needs to be as loose and comfortable as possible, moving freely from just in front of the eyes to the beginning of the fleshy part of the nose - but NOT so loose that it can come off. The proper fit of the Nose Loop is totally dependent on the proper fit of the Neck Strap, which must be high at the very top of the neck (touching the skull) and very snug (only one finger barely squeezes underneath) so that it cannot rotate. (If the Neck Strap rotates, so will the Nose Loop, which may cause chafing of the skin.) When properly fitted and viewed from the side, Gentle Leader® will resemble a "V" for "Victory"!, not an "L" for "Loser." The Neck Strap MUST: Be positioned as high on the neck as possible, directly behind the ears and touching the base of the skull in back, and above the Adam's apple in front. Not be able to rotate around neck. Fit very snugly at top of neck so that you can barely squeeze only one finger underneath, like a belt, watchband or shoe. This is the MOST important part of the entire fitting process! It is different than other collars you may be used to, but does not cause discomfort to your dog. (To better understand, push against the very top of your throat above your Adam's apple; now use the same pressure below your Adam's apple - notice that pressure above is not uncomfortable, but pressure below is!) Please resist the temptation to make the Neck Strap loose - if you loosen it, either your dog will be able to paw the Nose Loop off, or you will wind up making the Nose Loop too tight or the Nose Loop will rotate causing discomfort. The Nose Loop should: Be loose and comfortable so that your dog can freely open his mouth (even fetch a ball!). Be able to move freely from just in front of eyes to beginning of the fleshy (wet) part of nose. Rest behind the corners of mouth. Not be so loose that it can be pulled off over the nose (after snap clamp is adjusted). FITTING STEP BY STEP Throughout the fitting process and during initial use of the Gentle Leader®, motivate and encourage your dog with praise and special tasty treats. If your dog is especially wiggly, have someone help you by feeding treats while you fit and adjust. 1. Attach leash to Control Ring. (Fig. A) 2. Open Neck Strap and hold one end in each hand. Nose Loop and leash should hang down, like the letter (T). (Fig. B) 3. Prefit Neck Strap high on the neck touching base of skull in back, with Center Bar Ring in the niche just above the Adam's apple in front. Center Bar Ring should be parallel to neck, not the underside of jawbone. (Fig. C-1) Neck Strap must be snug so that only one finger can squeeze under it, and it cannot rotate around neck. Gently grasp skin at back of neck and pull downward toward shoulders, while at the same time holding Neck Strap against base of skull - this pulls any excess skin or coat from under the Neck Strap, improving the fit. Check again to be sure that only one finger can barely squeeze under Neck Strap, and tighten if needed. (Fig. C-2) Notice that even though the Neck Strap fits much more snugly than other collars, your dog is comfortable, able to easily pant and shows no signs of distress. Give him a treat and see for yourself that he acts as if nothing is even there! (If using "Buckle"-style Neck Strap, mark the appropriate hole for future reference.) 4. Take Neck Strap off your dog. Slide Adjustable Snap Clamp down to Control Ring (as in Fig. A). (To open, lift tab with thumb, dime or key; to close press tab until it snaps into locked position. The snap is designed to lock firmly into place and not slip - therefore, it requires a bit of pressure to open and close.). 5. Pull Nose Loop up through Center Bar Ring. (Fig. D) 6. With dog at your side or between your legs, hold Nose Loop open. Reach under dog's head to slip Nose Loop onto base of muzzle (Fig. E-1), and give a treat to keep him occupied. Snap Neck Strap high on neck at its prefitted position. (Fig E-2) (Some people find that taking a few moments to gently "massage" their dog's muzzle and cheeks prior to putting on the Nose Loop may help him more quickly accept the new sensation.) 7. Make final adjustment to Nose Loop. It should be behind corners of mouth and loose enough to pull forward to fleshy part of nose, but not so loose that it can be pulled entirely off muzzle. Slide snap clamp up or down to adjust (Fig. F-1). With thumb and index finger, pinch Nose Loop underneath snap clamp, temporarily holding it from moving. Test size of Nose Loop by pulling it forward as far as it will go (Fig. F-2). When it touches the beginning of the fleshy part of the nose, but is not so loose that you can pull it off, close the snap clamp by pressing down on the tab - you'll hear a snap as it locks. When your dog has reached full growth, you can remove any excess length of Neck Strap. With the Gentle Leader® off your dog, cut the end of the strap with scissors and use a match or lighter flame to seal the cut edge and prevent fraying. CAUTION: Follow instructions carefully when fitting and using on Bulldogs and other breeds with genetically limited airways or flat noses. It is typical for these dogs to frequently experience breathing difficulties when exercising or under stress because of their physically limited airways. If their usual breathing difficulties increase when wearing the headcollar, immediately discontinue and consult your veterinarian. Related Products: The Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness and the The Gentle Leader Way Training DVD or Video with a booklet.