Dog harness recommendations please :)

nextyeartina

Hi. Could anybody recommend a good dog harness. I have a staffordshire bull terrier & a cocker spaniel, both strong and both pullers. Any advice much appreciated. Tina x

Caroline_a

I found harnesses always made them pull more. I use Dogmatics on my 2 who are over 100kg together - they will walk to heel, but if something made them decide to set off I'd have no chance so it's a security measure for me! I can walk them both with one hand, even when they are both excited to start the walk.

krlyr

A harness with a front attachment can help with pulling without being aversive (aversive products cause pain, discomfort, etc...e.g. the Thunderleash tightens around the dog's chest if they pull, working by making it unpleasant for the dog to pull)

The Dog Games standard fleece style or Perfect Fit range both are available with front attaching rings as well as the usual rear attachment. You use these with a double ended lead to almost 'steer' the dog if they pull. This can help the issue of a dog pulling into a harness (harness is more comfortable to pull in, as it spreads the pressure across the body, and dogs have 'opposition reflex', i.e. you pull one away (from behind), they pull the other (forward).

Other front-attaching harnesses include the Mekuti balance harness, the Halti harness, the Easy Walk harness, to name a few.

Or as mentioned above, headcollars may be more effective for some dogs - but it's essential that these (and harnesses too, but those are generally more accepted by dogs) are introduced carefully so they're not aversive to the dog, and also it's important they're used with care to avoid neck injuries (e.g. don't let the dog have 6' slack lead on a headcollar and then suddenly pull them back on it). I like the Dogmatic brands, they're easy to fit (clips, though very sturdy) and seem to be well accepted by most dogs.

However, equipment aside, training is the one thing that will stop pulling most effectively. Teaching the dog to walk nicely means you're not relying on equipment, though the right equipment does help. Kikopup does some good videos on loose lead walking - http://www.youtube.com/kikopup

elsien

My bull terrier has the dog games perfect fit - the strongest one they do.
The julius k9 is also popular with owners of big strong dogs, and comes with a handle if you need to hold it at times.
Neither will stop pulling, although they're better than lead attached to collar, I have a dogmatic head collar that I use when I really need to and the harness for training and long lead work - head collars and fast moving dogs aren't good for their necks. Parascending optional.

If they're both pullers, you might want to look at individual training walks.

gettingready

I love this one for Zara (40kg and pulls like a horse)

Julius Dog Harness

Very comfy for her - and for me. Come in various sizes and colours

charliewocka

My Bassett and Bassett X Japanese Spitz were both pullers until I put the Halti on them. Stops them pulling immediately and they walk calmly by my side and gives me control of them trying to eat everything that smells good or to guide us out of anxious situations with the aggressive one. Definitely recommend them. Both dogs now accept that Halti times are good times and instantly go into calm mode.

Katiehound

I remember I bought a harness for a previous dog because she was so nervous- it was not to stop the pulling- it gave her confidence.
IMHO a harness might actully encourage the pulling problem!

katsclaws

We have a Hurtta harness which is very sturdy.

Feral_Moon

I use a Julius K9 harness on my 45kg GSD as it has the added benefit of a strong handle to hold him back when necessary. Prior to that I've used a Gentle Leader which was great when he was a pup, followed by one which I forget the name of now but I bought in my local pet store.

It has a strap around the rib cage which connects to a strap running across the front of the chest wall with a D-ring attachment on each side, so you can clip the lead to either side to walk. The chest strap is then clipped to the collar ring with a small moveable strap to prevent it slipping down and impeding forward movement. It works by turning the dog inwards toward you the more it pulls. It was very effective for on-lead road walks.

The problem I have now is that we very rarely do on-lead walking resulting in a dog which always needs to be out in front of me. He knows how to walk to heel and knows the commands but as soon as we set off again he just has to go out in front lol

SensibleSarah

Ruffwear do a good quality (and fairly expensive unless you can find them on offer) range of harnesses, some of which are especially useful for dogs who can escape from normal ones. Some also come with front rings which can be used as mentioned previously with a double ended lead to help with pulling.