Excerpts from letters we've received (in alphabetical order):

Dr. Bonnie Beaver, Dipl., ACVB; Professor and Chief of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Past President and now Executive Director of American College of Veterinary Behaviorists; National and International Speaker on Behavior; Author of Books: Veterinary Aspects of Feline Behavior; The Veterinarian's Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior; Feline Behavior, a Guide for Veterinarians; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"I've been quite pleased with the response of my patients to Gentle Leader/Promise^®. The headcollars have proven to be especially useful for cases of dominance aggression and the unruly large dog, and have become a valuable tool in treating many types of problem behaviors. I frequently get comments such as, 'The response of my dog almost seemed instinctive,' and 'The amount of control Ihad over the dog was unbelievable.'"

Dr. Walter Burghardt, Behavior Clinic for Animals and Referral Practice, San Antonio, TX; Past President, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior; National and International Speaker; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"Behavioral Medicine has become an important part of most high quality veterinary practices.which now offer pet selection consultations, puppy socialization classes, dog training, and assistance in there solution of pet behavior problems. Of all the equipment and technologies currently available for implementing a behavior plan, the most consistently useful has been the Gentle Leader®/Promise®System.

"Gentle Leader^® has provided me with a tool which is easy for the client to understand and use,one which does not produce pain for the pet or exhaustion for the owner and one on which I can count for consistently positive, rapid and durable effects. I believe that the Gentle Leader^® System is one ofthe best tools which a canine practitioner can use."

Dr. Leslie Larson Cooper, Dipl., ACVB; Animal Behavior Consulting and Referral Practice, Davis, CA;National Speaker; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"I use and recommend the Gentle Leader® Headcollar in my behavior practice as a valuable tool in working with problem dogs. Behavioral modification programs which would be much more difficult to even start without Gentle Leader^® become possible with the control it gives. Problem behaviors such as barking and jumping are especially suited to Gentle Leader®.

"I use one on my own dog, a Siberian Husky who loves to pull against the leash when we go on walks. When she wears her Gentle Leader® Headcollar, I can hold the leash with two fingers andcarry a cup of coffee in the other hand without spilling a drop."

Dr. Sharon Crowell-Davis, Dipl., ACVB; Professor and Director, Animal Behavior Clinic, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA; National and International Speaker; Co-author Equine Behavior Edition of EquinePractice, Veterinary Clinics of North America; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"I particularly like the effect of the Gentle Leader^®/Promise^® System on dogs that engage in a lot ofdominant behavior. I frequently recommend it for aggressive dogs."

Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Dipl., ACVB; Professor and Director, Animal Behavior Clinic, Tufts University School ofVeterinary Medicine, N. Grafton, MA; National and International Speaker; Author of Book The Dog Who Loved Too Much, Tales, Treatments and the Psychology of Dogs; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"At Tufts University, we have found the Gentle Leader^®/Promise^® System for dogs to be the best control system that we have encountered. Our clients love it and frequently report immediate and dramatic changes in the way they're able to manage their dogs."

Dr. Benjamin Hart, Dipl., ACVB; Professor and Director, Chief, Behavior Service, VMTH, School of VeterinaryMedicine, University of California, Davis, CA; President, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists; National and International Speaker; Authorof Books Canine and Feline Behavioral Therapy; The Behavior of Domestic Animals; The Perfect Puppy, How to Choose Your Dog By ItsBehavior; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"We use the Gentle Leader^® headcollar a lot. After a brief demonstration, clients find it easy to use and very effective. Many are amazed at how much control they get over their dogs. It is especially valuable in fear-based problems ---- dogs behave as though they have more confidence and are more comfortable around other dogs and people."

Dr. Debra Horwitz, Dipl., ACVB; Veterinary Behavior Consultations and Referral Practice, St. Louis, MO; PresidentElect, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior; National and International Speaker; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"The Gentle Leader^®/Promise^® headcollar empowers owners. Once they learn that they can control their dog in a humane manner, training can begin. Owners enjoy changing their pets' behavior without using force or reprimands, and instead focus on success. Their success encourages them to keep training and working with their dog."

Dr. Katherine A. Houpt, Dipl, ACVB; Professor and Director, Animal Behavior Clinic, College of VeterinaryMedicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; President Elect, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists; National and International Speaker; Editor,Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science; Author of Book Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists; Co-authorEquine Behavior Edition of Equine Practice, Veterinary Clinics of North America; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"The Animal Behavior Clinic at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Universitydispenses Gentle Leader®/Promise® headcollars to almost every aggressive and hyperactive dog (150 per year) because it calms the animal and allows the owner to handle the dog safely. The advantage of the Gentle Leader® is that an aggressive dog can be reprimanded at a distance using the indoor lead. Pain is not produced so aggression is not aggravated and the dog's trachea is not endangered."

Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, Director, Animal Behavior Consultations, Westwood, KS; Past President, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior; Host of Radio Program; National and International Speaker; Co-author of Books AAHA Practitioners Guideto pet Behavior Problems and Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat; Co-Editor of Books Cat Behavior and Training, VeterinaryAdvice for Owners, & Dog Behavior and Training, Veterinary Advise for Owners; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters onBehavior

"Over and over again I have found the Gentle Leader^®/Promise^® headcollar to be invaluable in helping owners gain control of difficult pets. It is one of my most important tools, and my clients consider it a life-saver."

Dr. Gary Landsberg, Dipl., ACVB; Animal Behavior Consulting and Referral Practice, Toronto, Canada; Past President, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior; Host of Radio Program; National and International Speaker; Co-author of Books AAHA Practitioners Guide to pet Behavior Problems and Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat; Co-Editor of Books Cat Behavior and Training, Veterinary Advice for Owners, & Dog Behavior and Training, Veterinary Advise for Owners; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"One of the most effective means of controlling unruly, disobedient or 'headstrong' dogs are head halter systems.....By leaving a long leash attached the owner can also manage most undesirable behaviors (e.g., jumping up, house soiling and digging) as far as the leash will allow. Of course, this willonly work for those halters such as the Gentle Leader®, which can be fitted and left attached to the dog." (Excerpted from Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, G.Landsberg, W.Hunthausen & L. Ackerman,Butterworth Publications)

Dr. Scott Line, Director, Animal Behavior Clinic, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN;Consultant, Animal Humane Society of Hennepin County, MN; National and International Speaker; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"I frequently recommend Gentle Leader^® headcollars for the dogs I see through the Animal Behavior Clinic of the University of Minnesota. They enable owners to safely and humanely restrain their dog and facilitate behavior modification programs. I find them particularly effective as a part of recommendations for treating fear-related and dominance aggression. They are great for dogs who pull too hard whenwalking on a leash. Within a matter of minutes owners gain much greater control over the dog - beingdragged down the street stops almost immediately.

We also use Gentle Leader^® headcollars at the Animal Humane Society. They allow us to restrain potentially aggressive dogs during physical examinations and minor procedures such as grooming and nail clipping. Many dogs are fearful of these procedures and Gentle Leader^® speeds up the process of desensitizing them, reducing the chances of bites or other injuries to the staff."

Dr. Andrew Leuscher, Dipl., ACVB; Past Director, Animal Behavior Clinic, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Current Director, Animal Behavior Clinic, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University; National and International Speaker; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"I use Gentle Leader® extensively in my behavior service, and apply it in mainly three functions:

1. It allows people who don't have control over their dog to walk the dog safely

2. It is an effective tool in dog training, particularly in adult dogs

3. It is an essential tool for many behavior modification techniques, particularly for desensitization and counter-conditioning.

Most of our clients are very happy to be offered a more humane and more effective alternative to the choke chain."

Dr. Amy Marder, Animal Behavior Consultation and Referral Practice; Clinical Assistant Professor, Tufts School ofVeterinary Medicine; Consultant for Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston, MA; Past President, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior; National and International Speaker; Author of Book Your Healthy Pet; Co-author Advances in Companion Animal Behavior, Small Animal Practice, Veterinary Clinics of North America; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"In my practice Gentle Leader^® is most useful for people who have difficulty controlling their dog while walking. Its attraction is that the dogs essentially train themselves. Most dogs accept this training aid after a short period and learn very quickly to walk without tugging."

Dr. Pat Melese, Veterinary Behavior Consultants and Referral Practice, San Diego, CA; National and International Speaker;Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"I have used the Gentle Leader^®/Promise^® System in both my puppy classes as well as behavioral problem cases since 1987. It has been an extraordinary tool. In conjunction with the book and indoor control lead, Gentle Leader® has certainly saved many dogs from losing their homes due to unwanted behaviors.

"Owners who had given up walking their dogs (who had remained unruly in spite of extensive conventional training) were able to quickly and comfortably walk their dogs using Gentle Leader^®. I have even demonstrated this dramatically in public with a German Shepherd who would not respond to a choke chain or pinch collar, but started heeling beautifully after just a few minutes with Gentle Leader®. The handler's young daughter was even able to walk the dog, where before hand even the brawny father could barely restrain the dog on a pinch collar. Clients often tell me that I have 'given them a different dog.' The vast majority of clients find the system to be invaluable in training their dogs, and many even return to purchase Gentle Leader^® for their family and friends."

Dr. Karen Overall, Dipl., ACVB; Director, Animal Behavior Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; National and International Speaker; Author of Book Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"The Gentle Leader^®/Promise^® Behavior Management System was tested here at the Univ. ofPenn. School of Veterinary Medicine. Since I assumed responsibility for the clinic in 1989, it is the product we consistently recommend. I have found it to be superior to any knock-offs or similar products because of its rugged construction, its snug yet comfortable fit, and the ease of its use. It has an advantage over competitors with the superb set of instructions that accompany it, and a broad range of colors that allow clients to match leashes to the headcollar.

"Many of our older clients have reduced upper body strength, and therefore benefit from the humane control Gentle Leader^® provides. This allows many to continue to have the larger breeds they prefer. Additionally, we recommend the collar for families with infants and young children so that the dog can safely and easily go on all walks while the parents manage their children. Youngsters can walk the dog at an earlier age because they can stop the dog from pulling them over. All of these aspects can onlybenefit the human-animal bond relationship.

"Finally, lest anyone thinks that this is a collar only for exceptional cases...even the smartest and most clever dogs in the world - champion herding dogs - wear headcollars. At the most recent International Sheepdog Trials at Chatsworth House, Great Britain, headcollars were in evidence on Border Collies of all ages when the dogs were not on the course.

"Gentle Leader^® is safe, humane, works with a dog's innate systems of communication, and canimprove the relationship between the dog and client. This means that more dogs get to live and more people get to experience what may be one of the quintessential loving relationships in life."

Dr. Ilana Reisner, Dipl., ACVB; Animal Consulting and Referral Practice, Ithaca, NY; President, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior; National and International Speaker on Behavior; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"After years of promoting the use of Gentle Leader^®/Promise^® headcollars I thought it was time I wrote directly to you about my faith in this product. In my practice as well as in my teaching, I regularly and faithfully prescribe use of the Gentle Leader® headcollar for problems ranging from jumping and pulling to aggression. I can safely state that I don't know where we, as behaviorists in this field, would be without it.

"Years ago, while driving through a small town in the Adirondacks in the dead of an icy winter, Inoticed a small elderly woman walking two very large setters. Each dog wore a Gentle Leader®, and they were walking at her side without tugging her on the ice. The sight was an eloquent expression ofthe benefits of this product.

"Thank-you for making it much easier for owners to live happily with their pets."

Dr. Barbara Simpson, Dipl., ACVB; Adjunct Assistant Professor, North Carolina State University, College ofVeterinary Medicine; The Veterinary Behavior Clinic (and Referral Practice), Southern Pines, NC; National and International Speaker; Author andCo-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"I've used the Gentle Leader^®/Promise^® System for years in my behavior practice. I have found itto be an important adjunct to therapy in many types of behavior problems. A recent client, whose dog exhibited generalized unruliness and occasional snapping at persons who reached to pet it on the head,reported 'amazing results' using Gentle Leader®. After one month of treatment, she stated that the therapy program, including Gentle Leader^®, has improved her control of her dog and greatly enhanced their positive interactions. She can now safely have visitors in her home and greet strangers while walking her dog outdoors."

Dr. Elizabeth Shull, Dipl., ACVB; Dipl., ACVIM-Neurology; Director, Clinical Behavior Service, College of VeterinaryMedicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN; National and International Speaker; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters onBehavior

"At our behavior clinic we frequently recommend and dispense the Gentle Leader®/Promise®headcollar as part of the treatment for a variety of behavioral problems. The system is extremely helpfulin managing unruly behavior in a humane way. It is absolutely the best training aid available for teaching dogs to walk WITH their owners rather than PULLING them. Our clients are thrilled to be able to control their dog without using choke or prong collars.

"We rely heavily on Gentle Leader^® when working with dogs that have learned they can ignore their owners. We have dogs wear the headcollar and trail the long indoor lead at all times when inside the home with the owners present. This puts the owners in a position to immediately follow through on a command if the dog doesn't respond.

"We also recommend Gentle Leader^® for routine obedience training. It is more effective and much more humane than the traditional choke collar. Our clients say they wish they had known about the collars when they had trained previous dogs.

"At our behavior clinic we would not recommend any other system."

Dr. Steve Thompson, Director of Outpatients, Companion Animal Medicine and Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; National Speaker; Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Behavior

"As an educator and practitioner at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, GentleLeader^® has become a standard tool in my daily dealings with students, clients, patients and my ownpet, Pippi.

"Students have been delighted with its use on their own pets, especially in controlling exuberantbehavior by larger dogs. Several students have begun exploring its use on clinic patients, especially those hospitalized for several days, in that it helps spare the daily strain on their elbows and shoulderst hey had come to expect while trying to walk, exercise or manage large in-hospital patients. Students especially appreciate the humane applications of Gentle Leader^® and its reliance on control points over the muzzle and neck that allow them to control a dog and reward calm behavior with minimal physical effort and rapid results.

"Thank-you for producing a quality product that veterinarians can use to promote the owner-pet bond and encourage well-mannered pets in our homes."

Noted Speaker on the Human-Animal Bond:

Dr. Marty Becker, President, Compass Consulting, Twin Falls, ID; National and International Speaker; Authorof Book Becoming Your Dog's Best Friend ; Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul;Author and Co-author of Articles and Book Chapters on Practice Marketing and Management

"In 1991 our Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, Scooter, was tearing our house and yard apart. Her middle name was 'Behavior Problems!' You (Dr. R.K. Anderson) sent me the Gentle Leader^® Headcollar and Behavior Management System and within days Scooter was well on her way to becoming a perfectfamily member and citizen. The system was quick and easy to use, and most importantly, veryeffective.

"I want to thank you for your generous efforts in teaching and training our hospital work-team inSandy, Utah, on the use of the Gentle Leader^® System. With these proven tools and your enthusiastictraining and support, we helped thousands of clients and their pets enjoy a true 'win-win' relationship - the pets are better behaved, the clients feel a great sense of accomplishment and control, and the bondthey share is strong and intact.

"You'll be pleased to know that even though I have sold the Sandy practice, Randy Parker and therest of the team enthusiastically recommend and use your system to this day.

"I will continue to cheerlead and recommend the Gentle Leader® Headcollar and Behavior Management System to veterinarians, hospitals and work-teams and pet lovers around the globe."(September 26, 1996)

Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., Certified Animal Behaviorist, Animal Behavior Associates, Inc., Littleton, CO

" I find the Gentle Leader^® to be of immense benefit in controlling pulling and lunging behaviors on leash. I encounter many owners who have quit taking their dogs for walks because they are uncontrollable and are continually gagging on choke chains. The Gentle Leader^® allows owners, evenchildren, to walk their dogs without being pulled, and it also alleviates much of the concern people have in our climate about being thrown off balance on slippery surfaces such as ice. Once the dog is accustomed to having the Gentle Leader^® on his head, I believe the dog is much more comfortable than with a choke chain or pinch collar. The dog is walked more often because walks can be enjoyable rather than a battle for control.

The Gentle Leader^® is also helpful in working with aggressive and threatening problemsbecause it allows the owner to prevent or control the lunging behavior that often initiates the aggressive sequence. It is also possible to close the dog's mouth using the Gentle Leader^® to stop barking behavior inthe owner's presence.

I believe the Gentle Leader^® is an effective, humane collar that has many applications. I would like to see head collars replace the choke chain as the commonly accepted training collar."

"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. I purchased a Gentle Leader^® for my son's uncontrollable Springer, and now he takes the dog for a walk rather than vice versa! He can completely control the dog in a very humane manner, unlike when using a choke chain."

Edward Wedman, DVM, Professor & Dean Emeritus, College of Veterinary Medicine, OregonState University, Corvallis, OR

(From a letter sent to Barbara Eagles of Dogtrain):

"I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for coming by our office and demonstrating the Promise/Gentle Leader^® headcollar. We were all amazed by the effect its use had on that intractable Chow mix. Before you put the Gentle Leader^® on this dog, none of my staff - not even I - could handle him. In thirty minutes time, every member of my staff was able to handle this animal. I couldn't believe it! The owner was amazed when she came to pick the dog. She, too, couldn't believe it!

If you ever encounter a skeptical veterinarian - one who thinks you're just trying to make abuck with some fancy new training device - have them give me a call. I will gladly set them straight!

I wish you continued success as you and your excellent staff at Dogtrain continue to evolve and provide the finest in training and behavior modification for our clients."

G. Robert Weedon, DVM, College Road Animal Hospital, Wilmington, NC