No pull dog harness recomendations

[ParkerJames]

Hey Ya'll. I need some good recommendations for harnesses that help control pulling. We currently use the easy walker. It is causing chaffing under his arms and on his chest. So preferably A padded harness will be good. I have tried the sporn and am not the biggest fan because the thin string seems like it can run down and rip. Has anyone tried the custom made urban trail padded harness? Custom-Made Padded Urban Trail Sport Dog Harness

[maczinger]

When we used a harness it chafed as well, so we switched to a prong.

[Tanya]

I find most no pull harnesses chafe with some dogs. The first part is making sure the fit is perfect. I have tried lupi's, easy-walks, GL, Silverfoot for various fosters. I think the key for any is to get one that fits properly.

Are you working on training for loose leash walking? The harness just offers control if they pull, they don't teach the dog to walk nicely.

[windycanyon]

I agree on the training part-- really don't like harnesses EXCEPT for tracking where pulling is encouraged or if there is a mitigating neck injury where a neck collar would not be a good option.
I too use a prong for any dogs that want to pull. They are humane despite how they look and should only be used when the dog is going for a walk. In many cases, once the training is done, you won't need anything but a flat collar.
I am hoping this link still works, but it shows a trainer teaching "conversational leash work" with an untrained dog. Conversational Leash Work - K9 Connection Anne

[ParkerJames]

Yeah we are constantly going to training classes and i use what we learn outside. It is different though becsuse there are endless distractions outside. Parker is a sniffer so he constantly has his nose to the ground to see what he can find. I refuse to use prong.

[ZRabbits]

Link did work for me. Very interesting as I'm skittish of a prong as well. Amazing how well someone with experience can use this. With any collar though, you really need to educate yourself on how best to use it for your pup.

Thanks so much for sharing the link.

KAZ


eta: Do you think this technique would work with a martingale collar?

[Barry P]

I'm a big fan of Sporn. I haven't used it since Benji was a puppy but it works very well.

[windycanyon]

Link did work for me. Very interesting as I'm skittish of a prong as well. Amazing how well someone with experience can use this. With any collar though, you really need to educate yourself on how best to use it for your pup.

Thanks so much for sharing the link.

KAZ


eta: Do you think this technique would work with a martingale collar?

I dont think so, because Martingales really do not put any "pressure" on the dogs' neck in a corrective way anyhow. I'd worry far more about tracheal issues trying it w/ any other collar if the dog is truly a puller.
I've tried this method w/ an Old English Sheepdog who really doesn't think she's a dog. It worked really well for me at the time last summer. The owner is a bit like you though, in that she didn't *really* want to do that... my guess is that she may have changed her mind now that the dog is 80# and no fun to handle on a walk.

At some point, you have to make a decision on what is best for your dog. If it means the owner no longer enjoys taking the dog for walks, that's sad. I had a pup owner tell me that his wife recently quit walking their 18 mo old due to pulling. I ran the same dog in a hunt test last weekend, and I have to say, my back hurt that night. I sent a prong home w/ the owner and truly hope he works on this because it was truly a problem for me to handle him on a flat collar (prongs are not allowed at AKC events).

[ZRabbits]

I dont think so, because Martingales really do not put any "pressure" on the dogs' neck in a corrective way anyhow. I'd worry far more about tracheal issues trying it w/ any other collar if the dog is truly a puller.
I've tried this method w/ an Old English Sheepdog who really doesn't think she's a dog. It worked really well for me at the time last summer. The owner is a bit like you though, in that she didn't *really* want to do that... my guess is that she may have changed her mind now that the dog is 80# and no fun to handle on a walk.

At some point, you have to make a decision on what is best for your dog. If it means the owner no longer enjoys taking the dog for walks, that's sad. I had a pup owner tell me that his wife recently quit walking their 18 mo old due to pulling. I ran the same dog in a hunt test last weekend, and I have to say, my back hurt that night. I sent a prong home w/ the owner and truly hope he works on this because it was truly a problem for me to handle him on a flat collar (prongs are not allowed at AKC events).

Thank you so much for your reply. Really sad about the wife quitting, and agree 100% not a fun time walking a "puller". Wouldn't hesitate to switch to a prong if needed, as my husband would urge me to make sure our pup got the exercises needed. And a nice walk is a Win-win for both of us.

As puppy classes are in the future, will make sure I get a class on how to correctly fit and use the collar of choice. Again appreciate your insight.

KAZ

[ParkerJames]

The real use of a martingale is not like a choke chain. It just prevents the dog from escaping his collar. If a dog pulls backwards on a normal collar they can squeeze there way out. Not with a martingale.