Difference Between Gentle Leader and a Nylon Muzzle

Many dog owners have trouble with dogs pulling on their leashes. Young dogs and high-energy dogs are especially prone to this behavior. If it is not controlled, it could result in injury. Standard collars put unsafe pressure on the neck and throat, raising the risk of choking, bruising or strains. Some collars, like Gentle Leaders and nylon muzzles, are designed to avoid this kind of pressure while still giving the owner control over his pet.

  1. Information on Collars and Leads

    • Dog collars and leads are available in a variety of forms, making it possible for dog owners to choose the style that best suits their dog and their own personal needs. The main function of a collar is to provide the owner with some degree of control over his dog. Some collars are basic in design, consisting of a single nylon strap that goes around the neck, while others are more restrictive, taking the form of a muzzle. The type of collar you need may depend on the size and temperament of your dog as well as the degree of control you want to have over your pet.

    Nylon Muzzles

    • Nylon muzzles are considered by most veterinarians to be both safe and humane for use on dogs. These muzzles wrap all the way around the dog's snout to keep the dog from biting and barking, but the nostrils are left uncovered so the muzzle does not interfere with breathing. Nylon muzzles are typically lightweight and padded on the inside; and they feature straps that can be adjusted to fit a dog properly. These devices are intended for use in restraining, not for punishing dogs. Leave one on a dog for no more than 20 minutes at a time.

    Gentle Leaders

    • Gentle Leaders are a type of restraining device for dogs that provides an owner with more control than a standard collar but allows the dog the freedom to open and close its mouth. These collars consist of two nylon straps - one that goes around the neck and another that loops around the dog's muzzle. This type of collar is available in a variety of sizes and colors. You can adjust them to fit most dogs. The way these collars work is similar to the way lead dogs communicate with lower ranking dogs on sled teams. When the owner pulls on the leash, he applies light pressure to the loop around the dog's muzzle.

    Key Differences

    • Both Gentle Leaders and nylon muzzles are considered to be safe, humane options in restraining dogs because they do not put any pressure on the dog's throat. The main difference between these devices is that the Gentle Leader allows the dog to open and close his mouth while nylon muzzles do not. Gentle Leaders are designed to help provide dog owners with an increased degree of control while walking their dogs. Nylon muzzles provide a heightened level of control in that the dog is unable to bark or bite -- these devices are often used by veterinarians on aggressive dogs. Because nylon muzzles wrap all the way around the muzzle of the dog, you shouldn't use them in warm weather because the dog could overheat.