How to Make a Gentle Leader
The struggle of walking a dog with behavioral issues has always been a problem for pet owners. The typical collar and lead do not work well for dogs that like to pull, are slightly aggressive or like to bark while being walked, so another alternative is necessary for these dogs. A gentle leader is a type of head collar that fits around the dog's muzzle, making it difficult for him to struggle or bark while wearing it. Gentle leaders can be expensive, but making your own is simple and cost-efficient.
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Things You'll Need
- Two yards soft nylon webbing
- Two steel O-rings
- Flat plastic buckle
- Scissors
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Measuring tape
Instructions
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Measure your dog's head for proper fit. The gentle leader is made up of two sections, so you will need to take two separate measurements. Hold the measuring tape under your dog's muzzle and measure around the back of her head behind the ears. The second measurement is taken around the muzzle, at the point the muzzle meets the skull. Add four inches to both sections to allow for adjustments.
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Lay your webbing out on a flat surface and trim according to the measurements you've taken. Larger dogs need wider webbing while smaller dogs tolerate narrow webbing best, so choose accordingly. Webbing comes in a variety of colors as well, but make sure you select one that is colorfast and will not bleed onto your dog's coat.
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3
Cut the larger section of webbing in half to allow for hardware attachment. Slide one end of each section through the ends of the buckle, folding over and sewing them to secure. Take the remaining free ends and run them through the center of one of your O-rings, folding and sewing them on each side to create the crownpiece of your gentle leader.
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Fold the muzzle section of your webbing in half, feeding both free ends through your remaining O ring. Sew the ends together so that they form a secure loop with the ring at the bottom. This ring is where you will attach your leash, so make sure you sew it firmly to prevent it from unraveling as you walk your dog.
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Slide the top of the muzzle loop through the O-ring on the bottom of the head piece to complete your gentle leader. To fit it to your dog, unbuckle the crownpiece, sliding the loop over your dog's muzzle and rebuckling the head piece. Clip your lead onto the muzzle ring and your new gentle leader is ready for use.
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Tips & Warnings
Be patient when teaching your dog to use the gentle leader. Many dogs do not like the feeling of something wrapped around their muzzle, so take your time and offer plenty of praise and treats until your dog becomes accustomed to the leader.
Never leave your gentle leader on your dog while he is loose. It can easily become snagged on solid objects and your dog can be seriously injured if left unattended.
References
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Comments
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This article references a flat plastic buckle, where would you find such a thing? We have a gentle leader where our dog broke the plastic clip that kept the muzzle part snug. If I had a 3d printer, I could just print up another one but I don't. Are replacements available online?
