[frankis843]

Greetings,
My Bailey loves to go for walks and likes to pull a bit too much. I have tried many things and am still looking for a solution.
First, I tried a sporn because of a recommendation. I stopped using it because it didn't stop the pulling

Second, I tried the easy walk harness because it was also highly recommended. It works good (not great). I have tried three different sizes (Small, Small/Medium, and Medium) and don't like the fit on any of them. I've called the manufacturer looking for tips and didn't get much accomplished. Every easy walk I have tried result in the belly strap chafing the arm pits. The buckle sits too low and the belly strap sits too forward. It doesn't matter the size of the collar or the adjustments I make and it still rubs.

I'm now thinking of trying a Gentle Leader.

Anybody have any other ideas or tips?

Thanks a lot!
Frank

 

[DaisysMom]

I haven't tried the Gentle Leader. Daisy uses the Easy Walk harness and it works great for her. No chafing at all. I hope the Gentle Leader works for you.

 

[jassy]

I have been through the same thing with Maggie. The rep from the
company that makes the Gentle Leader Harness even tried to get a good fit on Maggie and couldn't. We also tried the Halti Harness. The one that has worked the best so far for fit is called Ezy Dog Harness. It fits around her front without being too loose on her body. Its also very easy to put on and take off once the initial adjustment is done.

 

[frankis843]

DaisysMom: What size does Daisy wear? Do the connector rings where the straps join together on the side sit above or behind the legs? I can't get mine high enough or far enough back even with the chest straps all the way open on a medium size harness.

jassy: Does the Ezy Dog Harness secure on the chest or back side?

Thanks for your help!
Frank

 

[jassy]

The Ezy Dog Harness secures on the back. I can't remember which website I bought it from but there are several that sell it and give the measurements for each size.

 

[Murphys Dad]

I tried a gentle leader harness but had no luck with it. We just couldn't get it to fit right. Jersey kept pulling her legs out of one of the sides. The owner of the pet shop tried to help me fit her and couldn't get it right either. I'll have to look into the Ezy Dog Harness.

 

[JoJo's Mum]

I find JoJo and Jesie both pull like hell aswell. I figured out after spending a small fortune on different harness's and head halti's that if I run/jog with them for the first 5-10 minutes of the walk they both calm down and we can walk nicely.

Not sure if your able to do this? But its a great way to lose weight! I'm fat and a smoker so the first few times I thought I was dying but I've gotten over it now and look forward to our walks. I'm finding that I run with them now for the first 15 minutes and then we walk at a brisk pace. I've managed to lose 6 kilo and I no longer have shoulder problems from the dogs pulling!

 

[Mel14]

I'm sure some people wont approve this but I use a prong collar on my Beagle. He doesn't pull at all with it on.

 

[RosCole]

Originally Posted By: JoJo's MumI find JoJo and Jesie both pull like hell aswell. I figured out after spending a small fortune on different harness's and head halti's that if I run/jog with them for the first 5-10 minutes of the walk they both calm down and we can walk nicely.

I totally agree with you on this! They are so excited when we first begin our walk and that is when their energy is the highest. A quick little jog really helps because about five minutes in they usually catch a scent and then its nose to the ground the rest of the way!

 

[Smeagle]

The reason you are having no luck is because a training tool is just that - a tool - and does not do much on its own to stop pulling.

What you need to do is training, and actually teach your dog to walk on a loose leash. Often people go through so many tools because the dog has not been taught why pulling is wrong, and eventually learns to pull on any tool - even prong collars.

Do you have any obedience clubs nearby or have you considered getting a trainer to give you some one-on-one advice? you will find it much easier (and cheaper in the long run) than going through various tools.

 

[JoJo's Mum]

Totally. I'm lucky that I only have to do this in the morning as when we walk in the afternoon we go to a leash free pack. Two runs a day would kill me!!!

 

[deedeebee]

The absolute best harness we have for Zelda is made by Puppia. We've tried your basic harness before, but the thinner straps look like they hurt her.

You can get them in any colour you can imagine, and they even have fashionable ones if you want to go all out. But just browse through the site and see for yourself. I like to use the phrase lock and load because they seem to be really secure and extremely comfy for the dogs.

We've had ours for a few months now and there is no wear and tear on it. Our friends use these for their smaller dogs and they've had it forever as well.

there's a link for their basic harnesses.

http://www.epup.co.kr/newpuppia/usa/harness_lead.htm

There doesn't seem to be a direct way to purchase them from the site, but under their FAQ, it says to email them with the size and specific harness and they will phone/contact you concerning delivery and whatnot.

We bought hers at this place called Bark and Fitz, which has most of their stores in Canada and maybe one or two in the states... but I'm sure you might be able to find Puppia at some other specialty pet stores (definitely NOT PetSmart tho)

I'm almost positive that Zelda wears a size large, but it was really adjustable, so its like... the smallest the large can go... just in case she gains some bacon pounds.

Here's a picture of Zelda's bf wearing a Puppia harness.

 

[Sephly]

http://www.puplife.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/SFV/32255/vpid/3774542/vpcsid/0/rid/126031

anyone try that one? makes it impossible for them to pull because they just trip themselves.

 

[frankis843]

Smeagle,
We have done some training. We've used the standing like a tree technique and also walk the opposite way of where they want to pull. Both get pretty frustrating as an owner and we're probably not consistent enough.
Anybody have any other tips or tricks?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[frankis843]

Diana:
Doesn't the Puppia harness encourage pulling further because it attaches to the back?

 

[Smeagle]

Originally Posted By: FrankSmeagle,
We have done some training. We've used the standing like a tree technique and also walk the opposite way of where they want to pull. Both get pretty frustrating as an owner and we're probably not consistent enough.
Anybody have any other tips or tricks?

Perhaps consider going to obedience club or getting a trainer in to help you?

Every time you let him pull on the leash, he gains success and you have inadvertently trained him to pull. He has learned that force will get him where he wants to go. Dog training can be incredibly frustrating. But so can going through tool after tool after tool to no avail - as I am sure you know, consistency is the key, as is keeping yourself calm and level headed when training.

 

[Tucker]

Tucker pulled when we first had him, but after countless hours working with him on it he doesn't pull anymore. Now the problem is he wants to sniff anything and everything around. If we walk in new places he doesn't sniff as much as on the routes we take normally. We used a choke chain while training, but have switched to a standard harness. I don't think I would use the choke chain again because it is really hard to use correctly. If you use it slightly wrong it can cause harm.

 

[Robyn]

Hi,
I just bought a gentle leader yesterday for my new dog. He pulls so hard that he damaged his trachea. The gentle leader worked instantly and like magic. There is one drawback and that is that my dog HATES it-but it has only been a day, so I am hoping he adjusts.

 

[Robyn]

an edit to my post:
I was told to get the gentle leader, but the store was out of stock. The store owner recommended champ walkmaster which is what I bought and what is working for me.
Sorry for the confusion

 

[Smeagle]

Originally Posted By: RobynHi,
I just bought a gentle leader yesterday for my new dog. He pulls so hard that he damaged his trachea. The gentle leader worked instantly and like magic. There is one drawback and that is that my dog HATES it-but it has only been a day, so I am hoping he adjusts.

Careful with the gentle leader (if that is the head harness) as it can cause neck damage. They are more dangerous than a check chain or prong IMO - especially because the dog's face contains a lot of nerves and the gentle leaders irritate them, and can ride up into the dog's eyes.

It is also not a great tool for *teaching* the dog, if you take it off, the dog will revert back to pulling. Head harnesses put the dog in a constant state of aversion, because they are always pressuring the dog's face, so the dog is always being corrected when it is wearing it (unlike other correctional collars that only correct the dog when you put pressure on the leash).