IMHO the reason more people are using harnesses is because they have never taken the time to train their dogs to walk with them because they(the dog)want to, they put a collar & lead on as a puppy & expect the dog to walk nicely.

I have always trained my dogs off lead(at home as puppies)since I trained a friends GSD that couldn't have a lead used or her for training(been abused by a "dog breaker"). Using treats & toys to lure the puppy I spend a lot of time in small bursts teaching my puppies"puppy" heelwork with the puppy wearing a collar but no lead.

I took my 3 month old puppy to a local market a couple of weeks ago & had lots of people comment on how nicely he walked on the lead & that I must have spent hours lead training him. He has never been trained on the lead before he was trained to walk off lead. I only use the lead when I have to do like at training club & when taking him out & about. I actually have problems using a lead during training at club !!

Harnesses can control the pulling, but as soon as they are removed the pulling returns

My old fella caught kc 5 years ago and it damaged his larnyx so when he's on a collar he chokes so I bought him a harness, he now don't pull and is a dream to walk.

Looks like you will be interested in seeing other peoples opinions too then.Fair play to peeps admitting the lazy aspect as it gives a better overall view on things.Just thought I'd say while I'm here your two are a credit to you,well done,xxxxxx


Don't be embarrassed as your opinion is what I want and also how your dogs react to a harness,cheers for the input it's very much appreciated,xxxxxxxx

Great post and I have to agree with you,cheers for your input I'm sure other people will appreciate it too,xxxxxxxxx


Did a collar just feel uncomfortable or was it because he is a puller in general,xxxxxxx

The correct configuration, [ Trail type, Puppia and Dog Games types in particular ], greatly helps for the prevention of pulling.
The front configuration does`nt give a dog anything to push into to get their weight behind it, [ with a collar they can put full weight into it ], and the body strap where the lead attaches at the top helps break momentum - if the dog pulls, the lead slightly raises the body so they can`t get full power into propelling forward.
Because these type of harness are balanced and made to be comfortable, the dog does`nt feel so restricted as they do when on collar to lead, so the dog can relax more, which enables better communication from the hander, [ a dog struggling on a collar is`nt going to listen well ], and because the dog can`t pull so hard the handler gets less frustrated.
It also enables training games like direction and speed changes because the dog won`t be unbalanced, [ due to the position of the lead D ring ], and does`nt cause the frustration of the stop-start method usually done on lead,[ bearing in mind sudden stops even on a flat lead can cause throat damage ].

So, a correctly fitted harness of a suitable type straight away helps ease the pulling, makes training communication easier, and can safely incorporate fun into the training because the dog won`t be jerked by the neck.

So there ya go Boobah, the basics of how and why they work which is contrary to the mistaken belief that a harness aids pulling - harnesses which are designed for encouraging pulling ie for pulling sleds, they are supposed to make pulling easy - they are a different configuration altogether to a harness which helps prevent pulling though

[ Can`t stand the `anti-pull` Lupi type though, ime they are far worse than a standard comfortable trail and can cause rubbing / chaffing as well as just being pretty ineffective anyway compared to a good ol` trail harness ].

my dogs little, only 12 inchs tall and we have only ever used a lead & collar & his fine on it! i trained him on it indoors before i went out with it!

Cheers Patch but wouldn't it be much simpler to just teach dogs not to pull in the first place.It's just everywhere I go these days people are being dragged about with dogs on harnesses ie,Lhasas,sbt's jrt's etc xxxxxxxxx

Obviously because you have put the training in you don't need a harness then,well done you,xxxxxxxx

All of my dogs have started out in harnesses because I prefer them on young dogs and I have never had a puller. They do gradually progress to flat collars.

Why and how did you progress,if you don't mind me asking,xxxxxxxxxx