Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject: Best harness?
Molly has always been bad for pulling on her lead. No matter how much i try and stop her she carries on. She normally just has a collar and a lead that clips on, or a rope lead at the min because harvey ragged her collar off!
Anyway, i have read things that say harnesses are better for dogs that pull? Would you say thats true? & can you recommend one?
Or is it a case of keep training?
Thanks
I think this has been covered quite recently. Anyway my view is that a harness gives a dog power to pull....it certainly doesnt make them easier to walk and it can ruin the gait over time. Our sled dogs are put in harness to distribute the weight giving them maximum pulling power....I certainly wouldnt want to walk one on a harness any more than I would try and control a horse in one! Gadgets are no substitute for training unfortunately and once trained always trained
I like the Mekuti harnesses, I first bought one for my nervous collie as it would be harder for him to back out of than a normal collie and have since bought them for the other dogs too.
I wouldn't say they were a substitute for training, that's not why I use them. Some might use them in that way but then I see dogs out on a normal collar and lead who are pulling and not being trained at all too.
The dogs can run in them without problem and they have never rubbed the dogs' skin like some seem to.
Hi, I have the same problem with my dog, she is 2 now!
It is my fault for not perservering with the training as a pup, and I was far too soft with her! Anyway I bought a harness when she was a pup as I was told it would help stop her pulling, in fact the opposite is true. It takes the stress of her neck and so she pulls even harder!!
I now have a Halti collar, which is fantastic. I keep it on for about the first 15 mins of a good long walk. Constantly tell her to heel etc, then I take it off and use it as a normal collar. By this time, she has got the message not to pull or I will put it back on!
Also today, I got an RSPCA retractable lead from Argos (half price to). Tried it earlier and it was great. She couldn't understand how she could walk far ahead of me, and kept coming back to walk at my side. Now this could be a one off till she figures it out! But you never know! In any case it is much more comfortable for me to hold than her usual lead eating into my hand.
I believe that harnesses can help to correct pulling together with our own voice of correction and encouragement. But each dog is different and so there cannot be a definitive harness that will help all.
No offence to anyone but I have seen some harnesses which tighten when used and I would not use these.
There are some lovely soft harnesses made by Creature Comforts that fit really well and are padded. When travelling a seatbelt connector can be attached. I have used one of these harnesses with a smaller build of labrador.
Another harness I've used is made by Mekuti - a harness used with a double ended lead. One end of which is threaded in front of the dog and round to the other side. It works in a very gentle way (if that makes sense). You do not tug on the lead, but using the lead correctly took a little getting used to.
There is another harness called Sense-ation I would recommend made by Softouch Concepts. Their first edition and I think better than Sense-ible as it's softer under the arms and tummy. I've tried both in the past. This one is unusual - the lead connection is at the front of the dog, of the breastbone. I used the Sense-ation and Mekuti on a large labrador who walked beautifully without pulling.
Hope this may help you,
Sue
Last edited by flyaway on Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:01 am; edited 2 times in total
Hi Sue, Had a nosy there at the links you posted. The Mekuti ones look a little complicated, but the soft touch harnesses look very good with the lead fastening at the front.
Still, couldn't fault the halti, apart from looking like a muzzle (as people always remark!) it really does make Lucy think about pulling. I don't keep it on her for long periods, just until she gets it in her head that pulling is a no no. Then I keep reminding her when I take it off, and she does seem to be getting the message at last!
Some day I might be able to walk her in her nice fancy girlie lead and collar!
Hi Sue, Had a nosy there at the links you posted. The Mekuti ones look a little complicated
They do look complicated but they come with full instructions and they are really simple once you have used them once. I think they're great - as Sue says they aren't the type to tighten and they have never caused any soreness as I've heard some harnesses can. I use them with the double leads.
I had the same problem with Sultan. I only ever used a collar and lead. I was getting no-where. Someone suggested i use a harness for a few days, and then back to the collar and lead. And keep swopping between the two. It is working a treat.
I have Indy on a normal harness and a collar with a double ended lead while we try and teach her not to pull. She's growing out of her harness now, so will have a look at the soft touch one. Cheers.
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