Ripley! Heel! Gentle Leader, Peanut Butter, and Short Stop

I have introduced a few methods to help Ripley learn how to heal. It is much more difficult to do with Skye present so in general, both dogs get individual training sessions. However, the gentle leader is a tool we can use when both dogs are together.

The Gentle Leader® Headcollar is similar to a horse bridle or halter. It 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.

Ripley is ok with the GL most of the time, but he is still getting used to it and tryies to push it off his nose with his paws. The issue we may see is that he is great with it on, but really doesn't learn what heel means. So, I also use some offleash training techniques and regular leash training techniques.

Off leash: Peanut Butter technique. I will walk around in the back yard with peanut butter on my left hand so he can sniff and lick it right by my knee. I also use "NO" when I have told him to heel and he isn't right by my knee. We walk in random patterns around the back yard. I have also noticed he does this behaviour equally well if I have a dummy and he wants it. When he is retrieving in the field, the dummy commands all of his attention.

On leash: Short stop technique. As soon as Ripster pulls to the end of the leash, we stop until he sits. Then, I walk again. We haven't gotten to the point of actually being in heel position, but at least he is learning pulling means we stop.