Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:30 am Post subject: Best Lead or Harness
Hello. I was just wondering if anybody can recomend the best harness for my chocolate lab puppy !
i know that labs are giddy and bouncey but i would like the best lead or harness for the best control when out and about.
Any help would be brill..... Thank You =)
you are going to get all sorts of recommendations but I would suggest your best bet is to go to a pet shop and try different ones and ask them - take him with you to get a good fit.
I have harnesses which work for Jed, but not Bo. I have harnesses which work for Bo but not China, I have "foolproof" harnesses that Bo wriggles out of (even when so tight he can barely breathe in them)
Different styles are good for different behaviours so worth putting one on him, getting the sales person to hold him and then calling to see how he moves in it when bouncing.
Two reasons, if you have ever held a chain lead you will soon find out how they can pinch your hands! I've received blood blisters when I was taking a class and held the chain lead!
Secondly, it's possible for a tooth to get caught in a link, then the dog pulls trying to get away from whats holding the tooth and breaks the tooth! OK, many people use chain leads with no bother, but why take the chance of a nasty and expensive accident?
A simple rope gundog slip lead and as Celine says, dont allow ever allow a dog to pull, fight from day one. Remember, no lead is ever going to train your dog, only you can do that.
In addition to what John says, a puppy is a blank canvas, starting with something more severe like a chain slip is just not necessary, ESP in a lab.
In my opinion, starting a puppy on anything other than a slip lead (or may e basic lead and collar), is totally unnecessary. Why presume they have bad habits before you start. Buying harnesses etc should be something down the line if there are issues, for ms it is certainly not the first port of call.
Get the pup used to the lead gently and slowly and work the oho being at heel from day one.
I use fleece harnesses from dog-games.co.uk. They are very soft and wash well (cool wash). If you were to get one for pup (although training is better to try first ) they do ones where you can buy it in sections so that as puppy grows you don't have to buy a complete new one each time. They have them in a wide range of colours too.
____________ Linda Layla and Taboo (never forgetting Scoobie my big brown bear 23.2.2000 - 21.1.2011 xx)
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Best Lead or Harness
Danni1304 wrote:
i know that labs are giddy and bouncey
Not all of them are. I've raised 4 from pups and they have all been easy to walk on lead.
I only ever use a flat collar and normal clip on lead, it's just that, like others have said, I don't allow any pulling from day one and I encourage/reward the right behaviour all the way.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
Best Lead or Harness
) they do ones where you can buy it in sections so that as puppy grows you don't have to buy a complete new one each time. They have them in a wide range of colours too. 
