[Krisby]

As Pili is still a young pup I want to try to teach her to walk correctly behind me without trying to run ahead. Which is better to use, a collar or a harness or is none better than the other?

At the moment i walk pili on a harness but i am thinking of maybe switching to a collar as she hates the harness so much (she runs away when she sees it)
What are your thoughts with this?

Thanks

 

[Deenyb]

I started Baxter with a collar and he was constantly pulling and choking himself. I found a Harness and used it, and he walks SOOOOO much better for me. And no choking or possible damage to his neck. we dont keep the harness on his 24/7. Just for walks.
The funny thing is, is that when Baxter see's his harness he tries to run away too.

 

[Murphys Dad]

We use both with Jersey. She has her collar for tags and just quick potty trips outside. For walks and trips in the car I use a harness. She pulled so much as a puppy that she had actually hurt her throat. She pulls much less with the harness on. Luckily, Jersey doesn't mind her harness though.

 

[BookerMoose]

We have used a harness for all of our pack at various times - with Booker and Popcorn they both ended up getting sores under their armpits from rubbing, though... so for now we just use collars for everyone although if I ever find a really good harness that doesn't chafe under the armpits we could go back. The harnesses were really good at stopping them from hurting themselves when pulling - but the other side of that is that they certainly don't stop them from pulling, because it doesn't hurt! So we found they were something of a double-edged sword in that regard.

 

[Opus]

We use a harness for Winston too, because of the pulling mostly. But I also have a martingale collar which he mostly only lets my husband put on him, but, he has LEARNED not to pull as much with the collar, but does pull with the harness. (He only wears either when outside, he's naked in the house.)
A local Dog trainer told me, there's really nothing wrong with the harness, although you have better control with a collar. When you think about it, a harness was meant for pulling (think about a dog sled team)With a harness, you probly want a shorter leash, to get better control.

BTW Winston runs away when we pull out the harness too.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Chloe has a little happy dance when she sees the harness. I don't use a collar on her at all. She is so small as it is, when she pulls with a collar on I feel like her neck is about to break!
About walking properly, I don't think it has anything to do with a collar vs. harness, but more to discipline and basic training (mostly heel).

 

[Erin]

My pups pull regardless of what I've used. However there is a new harness out that I've heard good things about. It's a regular harness except it has the clip in the front by their chest, instead of on top of their back. It's supposed to help prevent pulling and since it's a harness it doesn't choke. I'm thinking of trying it out next! Here's the link to check it out

http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/easywalk/productdescription

 

[Murphys Dad]

Erin, a friend of mine uses it for his two schnauzers. From the looks of it he likes it.

 

[MariaK]

We have tried a collar, harness and a chain collar. The chain collar was required for obedience training and the difference is amazing. We only use it during walks and training sessions and his regular collar is removed when the chain collar is worn. Greg was against it until he saw the difference it made in five minutes of class when used properly. The trainer was discussing different types of harnesses (not the vest type) and the damage they can do to a dogs neck and back. She does like the vest type harness, but only after the dog is trained.

 

[Smeagle]

I use a training collar called a martingale on my dogs. I don't like harnesses as they generally encourage pulling. Of course - nothing can work better than a good training program, which is why just putting a training or flat collar (which is no good for a dog that pulls) will not work unless you put the training in with it.

A martingale is good because it can be adjusted to sit under the dog's chin (high up on the neck, just behind the dog's ears) which is the most effective place for a collar to sit as it is the most sensitive part of the dog's neck and therefore will take less force to give a correction. It is more effective than a check chain or flat collar for this reason - and more 'comfortable' for a dog than a check chain as it is made from material so it is much softer.

Please remember there is no quick fix for pulling, and no magical tool that will stop a dog pulling on a leash. You want to teach your dog not to pull, as we often inadvertently encourage pulling through lack of training etc.

 

[FlaggerBeagle]

My Marley is a powerful puller so with my bad back we had to stop the pulling quickly. At first we tried a harness but my PT felt we were putting too much stress on her shoulders which could lead to future problems. Then Marley actually wore out the harness on a walk and what fun she had running through the neighbors backyards. She knew I couldn't run so she played a great game of tag. We then bought a Halti gentle leader. The pulling stopped first walk. We only use it for walks (3-4 miles a day) and use the regular collar for quick pit stops. She looks so sad when we put it on, but she knows the Halti always means adventure and treats. I just massage her nose and head when I take it off so she equates the Halti with pleasure.