Regular Collar or Harness?

[Boxer_Luver]

I'm just curious. I'm not sure if this even goes here. Junior doesn't really pull that much,except when he sees a cat.:rolleyes: I was wondering what everyone else uses to walk their dogs. I have a regular nylon collar right now. I'm really thinking of getting him a harness or Halti. I seen that PetsMart has a No-Tug Harness.

One more question what type of leash do you use? I'm using a retractable leash right now. How long is the leash you use? I think mine maybe 10ft. or less.

 

[Shakira's Ma]

Right now I use a traffic lead which is only about 18 inches long. This helps me to train Shakira to stay at my side when walking. The expandable leads are great at a park where a dog is to be leashed to give the dog more freedom but not good to train the dog to not pull and walk beside you. I have recently purchased just a plain harness from Drs.Foster and Smiths website and it works great for Shakira, I don't believe that she pulls as much especially when I use the regular 6' leash that I have. I have heard a lot of good things about the Gentle Leader, you might want to try it. I have heard that you will feel you have a different dog on the end of your lead when you use this Gentle Leader.

 

[Boxer_Luver]

Ok, thanks for your help. I'll have to see if I can find a gentle leader.

 

[txmom1]

I use the Sporn no-pull harness on Max and I think it works great. At first Max didn't pull but as he was getting older and stronger he started realizing just how he could pull. Whenever I walk him I use the no-pull harness and a 4ft leash. I also bring treats and that helps in keeping him closer to my side. If he goes to the end of his leash then I just stop and make him come back to me before we start again. Some days our walk seems to take forever and others he does just great. I would suggest you just be consistent in whatever type of harness you use and the way you choose to let your baby walk.

Steph

 

[Jan]

If you are going to get a head halter, go for the Gentle Leader as apposed to the Halti as they are much more adjustable and will fit much better. For a harness I would get the Sense-sation Harness. It's a bit pricey, but aparently works quite well.

 

[DannysGal]

I prefer the harness or "chesty" as we call it because when your dog does pull he isnt choking himself. Also it helps when my 5 yr old niece comes over and wants to walk him (drag him) around outside. I have to stay by her at all times but at least with the chesty if she pulls on him it's only his back and not his neck.

As far as the leash I usually use his retractable leash which is for dogs up to 100lbs and I am thinking it is maybe 20 ft. He is in obedience classes and for that we use the standard 6 ft leash. His trainer recommends not using the retractable and only the standard because he will train better with it as others have posted, however, we have used the retractable since we brought him home and he does real well with it so we usually use it instead.

I bought both at petsmart and they are just generic regular leashes/collars and they seem to be working just fine

 

[Boxer_Luver]

Ok, thanks for the help. I'll have to go out Thursday and see if I can find a halter for him. I think it would help him some. I may also buy a 6ft. leash for now.

 

[RVsBoxer]

We were using a regular collar with Wilson and a 6ft leash and he was pulling on it so much that it irritated his trachea (sp?). He'd start coughing and choking every now and then for no reason like he had a hairball stuck in his throat! Our trainer had advised us not to use a harness because that can encourage them to pull more (it's easier for them to pull and they're not being choked by their collar). Harnesses were, afterall, made for pulling - for sled dogs etc. However, cause the collar was irritating him so much we decided (and our trainer agreed) that it would be best to use a harness and work hard on "no pulling". Everytime he pulls I stop dead in my tracks and say "no pulling". It is starting to work now... as long as there are no humans or dogs around! :rolleyes: I also heard that the sporn harness somebody else mentioned on here is really good. We will be getting that for Wilson once he's big enough for it. The retractable lead is definitely not a great idea for walking 'cause they have to learn to walk beside you.

Good luck finding something that works for you!