Harness

[Guest]

Was just wondering if any one on here use's a walking harness to train there Lab puppy to walk slower , and do you find it works better than a lead?

bought one yesterday for a Lab and find it is too tight a fit even adjusted so will have to go for next size up,but wondering if it's worth it.

Lablove

[persephone]

Hi- why not get a trainer to SHOW you how to get your pup to walk as you want?

Understanding WHY the pup is pulling/walking fast is a BIG help , and then having someone alongside you showing you what to do is a fantastic way for you to gain proper control of your dog

It's a bit like stickytaping a cracked hose in your car engine- getting it looked at by someone who knows is a MUCH safer option

[aussielover]

The front attaching harnesses are good for dogs that are pullers. I have seen many labs walked in them successfully. Obviously it would be ideal if you could train your dog to walk nicely on a flat collar and lead, but in the meantime maybe give one of these a go.

[koalathebear]

Hi - Elbie was/is a massive puller because he's so hyperactive and we got him a harness - but weirdly enough, when sufficiently motivated he walks very well with a flat collar. The harness just makes it easier for you to pull back on the dog but it doesn't actually stop the pulling so if you can train your dog to look at you, sit/drop back etc you'll find that he'll be fine on a flat collar. For us, we have been training him around the kitchen/house/yard where there are less distractions - we also use his favourite treats (cheese, chicken etc). He is still pulling on occasion but he's HEAPS better now

Edited June 27, 2010 by koalathebear

[spottychick]

Yes they can be a good tool for training, but as aussielover said - make sure it's the front attaching one not the usual harness that has the clip on the back. The ones with the back attachment just tend to make them pull more.

[whiskedaway]

TerraNik linked me to this video in the Spitz threads:

It's pretty interesting and it's something that we're working with Akira on. Maybe give it a try?

[sallyandtex]

We find the "easy walker" front attached harness brilliant.

You can get on-line or the RSPCA and some vets have them (about $20), might be best to get one there,,as the staff can fit it properly.

Sally (8 months) Kelpie gets very excited when out and about and needs the walker. She walks on a normal lead OK when there isn't any other doggy distractions!

She just seems to know its on and doesn't pull! ;)

[Guest]

Thanks persephone, ausielover, koalathebear, spottychick, wiskedaway, and sallyandtex for your helpfull replies, the video is interesting, and will try him on a front lead harness, as well.

lablove

[sas]

A standard harness teaches a dog to pull so don't go there.

You can try a front clipping harness however nothing beats learning how to train your dog to heel properly.

Do you have an obedience school or a trainer to work with?

[sas]

Hi - Elbie was/is a massive puller because he's so hyperactive and we got him a harness - but weirdly enough, when sufficiently motivated he walks very well with a flat collar. The harness just makes it easier for you to pull back on the dog but it doesn't actually stop the pulling so if you can train your dog to look at you, sit/drop back etc you'll find that he'll be fine on a flat collar. For us, we have been training him around the kitchen/house/yard where there are less distractions - we also use his favourite treats (cheese, chicken etc). He is still pulling on occasion but he's HEAPS better now

All you do by pulling back is make the dog pull forward.

[Nekhbet]

use a flat collar or a martingale dont jump straight to harnesses. They do not teach the dog to slow down they simply hinder movement - effectively you do not teaching the dog. Get a trainer in or join a dog school at least for a few months to show you how. Too many people on this forum recommend harnesses, head halters etc and I see their dogs control is reliant on a piece of equipment hindering the dogs movement to get results. Until you have trained a dog to walk decently on lead without a crutch I wouldnt be dealing out advice to another novice.

Walk at your own pace, if he dashes ahead give him a little correction with the collar and call him back to you. If he keeps dashing ahead change direction, call him to follow and reward for natural focus and slack lead. DOnt be afraid to give a short sharp correction with a flat collar. If he is distracted, change direction, keep moving and little tugs on the lead until he follows then reward for following. You can teach your pup to walk on a flat collar in a day without all manner of paraphenalia.

Edited June 28, 2010 by Nekhbet

[wuffles]

Walk at your own pace, if he dashes ahead give him a little correction with the collar and call him back to you. If he keeps dashing ahead change direction, call him to follow and reward for natural focus and slack lead. DOnt be afraid to give a short sharp correction with a flat collar. If he is distracted, change direction, keep moving and little tugs on the lead until he follows then reward for following. You can teach your pup to walk on a flat collar in a day without all manner of paraphenalia.

My pup is completely unresponsive to a flat collar or martingale correction when she's excited. Turn around go to the opposite direction? Weee, this is fun, let's continue! Rewarding natural focus and slack lead doesn't happen because there is no natural focus or slack lead.

Not all dogs are the same, some are much more difficult to teach to walk on a loose leash than others (I've taught another dog with no problems). While I agree that people need to use training to teach this, and not rely on equipment or tools, I also don't think it's constructive to say that anyone can teach a pup to walk on a flat collar in a day. It just makes people lose faith in their training ability and IMO makes them more likely just to rely on a tool.

Sorry, rant over

[Nekhbet]

My pup is completely unresponsive to a flat collar or martingale correction when she's excited

what do you consider a correction? You can give a decent pop. Have her on a long lead, pop when she gets to the end and walk at your own pace. It is impossible to have no periods of slack lead unless you really are enabling it. Let her dash ahead, then let her hit the end, she will learn herself its not worth it. Call her back with either a toy or food. Do not stop moving, and praise any time she gives you focus.

Unless your pup has extreme behavioral problems there is no reason why you cannot see some results in a day. This is young pups I mean. If you are still struggling with an older pup then move up to a check chain or matingale. This is loose leash walking I am talking about not competitive heeling patterns.

I also don't think it's constructive to say that anyone can teach a pup to walk on a flat collar in a day. It just makes people lose faith in their training ability and IMO makes them more likely just to rely on a tool.

Or it might make them think ... hmmmm what am I doing wrong here and use their minds to train their dog to walk on a lead instead of accept a low standard. Being told that the process is fine, that at 6 months you're still struggling, or keep buying more useless equipment to squeeze, pinch, twist your dog to me is a cop out. If you absolutely do not have the skills find a good trainer to help you get those handling skills you will need throughout the dogs life. If you have them, use them.

How do you think it happened before all these bits of equipment existed, and trust me it wasnt that long ago there were no haltis, harnesses, etc etc. Pup was attached to a leash and walked until it got it. Got a correction if it played up and 'good dog' if it did well.

Edited June 28, 2010 by Nekhbet

[GoldenGirl85]

Walk at your own pace, if he dashes ahead give him a little correction with the collar and call him back to you. If he keeps dashing ahead change direction, call him to follow and reward for natural focus and slack lead. DOnt be afraid to give a short sharp correction with a flat collar. If he is distracted, change direction, keep moving and little tugs on the lead until he follows then reward for following. You can teach your pup to walk on a flat collar in a day without all manner of paraphenalia.

My pup is completely unresponsive to a flat collar or martingale correction when she's excited. Turn around go to the opposite direction? Weee, this is fun, let's continue! Rewarding natural focus and slack lead doesn't happen because there is no natural focus or slack lead.

Not all dogs are the same, some are much more difficult to teach to walk on a loose leash than others (I've taught another dog with no problems). While I agree that people need to use training to teach this, and not rely on equipment or tools, I also don't think it's constructive to say that anyone can teach a pup to walk on a flat collar in a day. It just makes people lose faith in their training ability and IMO makes them more likely just to rely on a tool.

Sorry, rant over

A trainer up this way got me to use the same methods (martingale) that Nekhbet suggested on my Goldie pup, not being a trainer myself its taken more than a day, but it is working, the only reason why its taking longer is because Im slowly adding distractions, such as walking my JRT at the same time, when I walk my Goldie by herself she no longer pulls, but when I walk the girls together they think they have to race, I now have my JRT on a shorter lead and a walking belt so Ive got both hands to correct my Goldie when its needed

Wuffles perhaps you need to do a lot of sit and focus work throughout your walk? when my girl get excited or distracted on a walk I tell her to sit and wait until she focuses on me, when she does we walk off, if she doesnt we walk off in another direction...she soon learns to pay attention to me

[persephone]

Not all dogs are the same, some are much more difficult to teach to walk on a loose leash than others

indeed... however, people ,for some reason/s forget that with the experience and tuition of a professional at their side- they learn skills with which to address their dog's particular issues

I was taught to train dogs using a chain collar .. correction/praise, correction/praise ... for walks of about 2 km at a time in one long straight line...day after day . The dogs did get habituated into walking straight... and as there was no 'reward' at the end of the walks.. the excitement levels dropped waaay down . In a VERY short space of time, the chain collar was mostly hanging at its slackest ..and a mere jingle was all that was needed to remind teh dog that something needed doing

Once this state is achieved, THEN we could add in things like other dogs, free runs in a park ....

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

My friend took my dog for a walk with my dog's best doggy friend, and complained that my dog pulled too much. She'd put the front attach harness on upside down so the clip was at the back between the shoulder blades, though she'd seen the harness in use many times before. Sigh. That would have been very hard work.

[wuffles]

I can give a pretty hefty correction on the martingale and get a very minor or no reaction at all. Sometimes her ears will go back and that's the only sign she cares in the slightest.

The same dog can heel to a pretty high standard when she is walked by herself, or at the training club I definitely know that the problem is focus around our other dog, which I'm working on, but I just don't believe it's as easy as many on these forums make it out to be.

[SpikesPuppy]

I wouldn't put a harness on a growing/developing puppy for fear of damaging the dog and resulting in restricted/poor movement.

I use a Sporn easy walk (figure 8 shape not the one that goes under the armpits) on my adult dog as she is evil, but I waited until she was developed fully before introducing this tool.

[SpikesPuppy]

I wouldn't put a harness on a growing/developing puppy for fear of damaging the dog and resulting in restricted/poor movement.

I use a Sporn easy walk (figure 8 shape not the one that goes under the armpits) on my adult dog as she is evil, but I waited until she was developed fully before introducing this tool.

[SpikesPuppy]

I wouldn't put a harness on a growing/developing puppy for fear of damaging the dog and resulting in restricted/poor movement.

I use a Sporn easy walk (figure 8 shape not the one that goes under the armpits) on my adult dog as she is evil, but I waited until she was developed fully before introducing this tool.