The Gentle Leader^® headcollar is scientifically designed to work with a dog's natural instincts to respond and obey his pack leader. Dogs don't speak human - they communicate with each otherthrough body language, physical and vocal interaction. Because it applies pressure in the samemanner 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!

Here is a list of the most typical products used to control dogs, and how they compare to the Gentle Leader^®. (Lighten up a little while you read...)

Choke Collar - This has been the most well-known "training" collar for years. Yet most professionals in animal behavior agree it is a very poor choice for dealing with many behavior problems. Anyone who's been dragged down the street knows that a choke collar does not prevent pulling - it just means that your dog hacks and gags and his eyes bug out while he continues to pull you along! And for people who have fearful or aggressive dogs, a choke collar actually makes matters worse. In the wild, if a wolf wants to kill another wolf, what does he do - he grabs it by the throat and tries to choke it to death! Your dog understands this sensation just as well as the wolf does. Any dog who is feeling unsure, fearful, or aggressive will only have those feelings intensified by choking. (You might try a little experiment - loop your belt around your neck, tighten, and try to relax at the same time!)

Pinch or Prong Collar - This latest addition in the human quest for control is basically a choke collar with the added enhancement of small prongs that poke into the dog's neck as the collar istightened. While it usually does reduce pulling (the dog will only pull as hard as his pain tolerance allows), it again will worsen any fearful or aggressive behavior problems. (For your next experiment, drive a dozen nails through your belt, loop that around your neck, and tighten.)

No Pull Harness - This uses thin cord that passes under the dogs forearms - when the leash is pulled, the cord applies pressure to a very sensitive area and the dog reduces pulling according to his level of discomfort. (This time try hanging from a high tree limb with piano wire under your arm pits.) Actually, this does reduce pulling (bet you dropped from that tree pretty fast!), but it does nothing to change the dog's behavior when he's not wearing the harness, and even less to change his mental attitude in how he relates to his family (pack).

Other Halter-type Devices - There are a few other products on the market that work in a somewhat similar fashion as Gentle Leader^®. Some consist of additional straps or attachments. However, none can improve or infringe on Gentle Leader^®'s internationally patented design, which applies the correct placement and ratio of gentle pressure to the back of the neck and base of the muzzle without slipping, rotating or interfering with the eye. No other product can be worn without a leash or used with a pull tab or light line to deal with indoor behavior problems. The adjustability of Gentle Leader^® means your dog can have a custom, perfect fit. Unlike others it is "convertible" and can be used as a standard collar once the owner has achieved the desired level of control. Dogs may wear a properly adjusted Gentle Leader^® all day in the house or in a yard as desired by the owner to prevent or control unwanted behaviors at any time without constant supervision. In contrast, there are severe limitations on when and where a dog may wear the other halter-type devices. Package information for other halter-type devices warn that buyers must have continuous leash control to prevent dogs from pawing off the straps.

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. (See What Other People Are Saying ). And unlike other products, the professionals who endorse Gentle Leader^® do so without compensation.