Gentle Leader & Easy Walk Harness Features
Two popular training collar options are the Easy Walk Harness and Gentle Leader Headcollar.
Both can help train against unwanted behavior, but they are not identical products. So when comparing side by side, we wanted to point out the features of each.
To help you see which one you should pick, look at the table below. After reading, you may decide that your dog could benefit from both (more on that below).
| Gentle Leader Headcollar | Easy Walk Harness |
|---|---|
| Discourages pulling on the leash | |
| Helps train against excessive barking, lunging, jumping, and even anxiety and aggression in some cases | |
| Perfect for training dogs to heel | |
| Easier to fit because it goes on the body, not the head | |
| Recommended for brachycephalic breeds or short-nosed dogs (pugs, boxers, etc.) | |
| Can be used on most breeds older than 6 weeks | |
| Does not damage the trachea | |
| Prevents gagging, choking, and coughing | |
| Requires little acclimation time or special technique | |
| Great for everyday walks | |
| Popular among trainers and vets because you can walk your dog more comfortably on a leash |
The Gentle Leader headcollar is sized by weight, whereas the Easy Walk dog harness uses chest and girth measurements.
Why is the gentle leader effective for dogs who pull? Because the Gentle Leader harness applies gentle pressure on the nose when the dog pulls.
Correctly putting on the Gentle Leader is critical to its effectiveness. Watch this one-minute video from Austin Pets Alive to see how to put on a gentle leader and how your dog should wear this headcollar appropriately.
The Easy Walk harness has four adjustment points, so your dog is comfortable and has a reliable fit. There is a martingale loop in the chest piece to prevent twisting, and the quick snap buckles on the shoulder and belly straps make it easy to put on and take off. The collar sits high on your dog’s neck without putting any pressure on the throat.
The Easy Walk Harness is relatively easy to put on. One strap secures via clasp and goes across the dog’s back and another below their belly. There’s a hook in the loop hook in the front where you attach the leash. Adjust the straps as needed so it fits firm without being too tight.
How to Put on a Gentle Leader – 4 Easy Steps to Follow
If you’re not comfortable putting a harness on your dog’s nose and neck, then the Easy Walk Harness might just be the perfect one for your dog. Instead of putting the harness anywhere around the dog’s head, it goes on his body for a comfortable and reliable fit. The collar sits high on your dog’s neck without putting pressure on the throat.
What size Easy Walk Harness should you use?
These harnesses are usually sized based on the girth or “chest width” of your dog. Using a tape measure, measure the biggest part of your dog’s chest, where the harness strap will fall. It will wrap around the rib cage from your dog’s shoulders down to approximately 1 inch behind his front legs. Some brands, like PetSafe, include a second strap measurement guide that goes over the breast bone from the two points it would connect with the first strap. Sizes range from petite or extra small to extra-large. Petsafe includes approximate weight in their sizes while other brands, like Kurgo, offer breed size comparisons. Refer to the harness brand’s website for specific measuring and sizing instructions.
Once you receive the harness, read instructions or watch videos that the brand has available to get the fit correct. It’s important that the front strap fit snuggly and doesn’t fall down. If that happens, the harness could be putting pressure on the wrong part of your dog’s body, which could injure your dog.
Before You Use A Dog Training Head Collar, Watch This Video – Professional Dog Training Tips
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When shopping for a head collar, you’re likely to run across two brands: the Halti and the Gentle Leader.
Most dog owners are likely to be somewhat familiar with the Gentle Leader, as they’ve been around a long time and are relatively popular.
Gentle Leaders were originally only available for professional trainers and veterinarians but soon found their way to pet stores all across the world.
Gentle Leaders have a very simple design- they attach around your dog’s neck and then around their snout. The leash clips to the Gentle Leader right below your dog’s chin, discouraging pulling and inspiring your dog to walk nicely on the leash.
The Halti head collar is a relative newcomer to the world of dog training accessories and is a little more complex than the Gentle Leader.
Haltis often have two straps- one wraps around the base of your dog’s skull and then circles around their nose.
The Halti then has a strap that extends from the base of your dog’s chin and connects directly to their collar.
The leash is then linked to the strap that connects to the collar, taking some of the pressure off the dog’s head and neck.
Haltis and Gentle Leaders are actually two very similar products, and choosing between the two often comes down to personal preference.
That being said, there are differences in the way the two brands fit, and pros and cons for each.
Knowing what makes the Halti and Gentle Leader different can help you in making a final decision on which would work best for your dog.
However, the Halti is quickly gaining in popularity due to a new feature (the ability to attach the head collar to a regular collar around the dog’s neck) that allows for better control and is an added safety measure.
The Gentle Leader and Halti are similar and, if used correctly, both achieve the same results. Your final decision will depend largely on your dog’s personality and your feelings about head collars (comfort vs. control, etc.)