Anti-pulling harnesses

[binka_nugget]

Kai has a major problem with pulling. I'm starting to train him out of it but it'd be nice to have something to stop him from pulling towards other dogs, people, etc. I want to avoid choke chains because the choke chain didn't stop him from pulling the last time we used it and it'll only damage his coat in the long run. We have an anti-pulling harness that goes through the back of the collar and around the legs and clips to the front. Kai still pulls alot with that. I'd use the halti but he can slip out of it easily if he was determined enough. So I want to know what kind of anti-pulling harnesses have you used successfully?

[RubyMutt]

Ruby uses a Gentle Leader and it has worked FABULOUS! She had a horrible pulling problem, and this has helped significantly. She has never gotten out of it. Last night for instance, we were taking a fairly late walk and we saw a raccoon about a block ahead of us. Ruby desperately wanted to go chase it, but she couldn't get out of the Gentle Leader. It really helps you better control your dog. She hated it at first, but has gotten much more used to it by now.

[aly]

At the shelter, I always recommend the Gentle Leader first, and then the No Pull harness. Are you sure you fit the Halti on him right? They aren't supposed to be able to slip out of them. It is pretty difficult to learn the exact right way to fit them on.

I've recently learned of another harness that has been around for a couple years. It is called the Sense-ation Harness. It doesn't stop the pulling QUITE as much as the Gentle Leader, but it stops a lot of it. The good thing is they don't have to get used to something on their face.

Here's the website:

http://softouchconcepts.com/

[binka_nugget]

Thanks for the info guys...I'm thinking about maybe trying the gentle leader. The halti is pretty hard for him to get out of but it's possible if he's determined enough.I'm pretty sure I put it on right, the store I bought it from said that this would definately be the right size for a sheltie and I make sure it's fairly tight in the back before we walk.

[tomkatzid]

We haven't tried these yet but I think we will, several people have recommended them to me.......tom

http://www.sporn.com/category.cfm?Category=3

[binka_nugget]

Lol that's the exact one we have now. Kai pulls even when it makes his skin red and raw..

[wolf_Q]

Do you attach the halti to a collar when you use it?

I had to buy a size smaller for both Nebo and Lady than what was recommended.

I've never tried any of the no-pull harnesses...I know Melissa had one for Lady but it didn't really work.

They do make a rolled nylon version of a choke collar, I think it's called a Mountain Collar. There's also some called a martingale or something like that I believe.

I've been working teaching Nebo "heel" and that really helps with the pulling...well, until he sees something interesting like another dog of course....

[binka_nugget]

Originally posted by wolf_Q
Do you attach the halti to a collar when you use it?

no, am I supposed to? I put on a collar w/tags just in case he slips out but I don't attach it. LOL the halti I bought was sold to me for only 10 bucks cuz the owner of the store said it was older, didn't have instructions and the box was bent..

[wolf_Q]

Hmm yours must be different because it's older. My halti has a thing that snaps right onto the collar as a back-up in case they slip out of it.

[tomkatzid]

Originally posted by binka_nugget
Lol that's the exact one we have now. Kai pulls even when it makes his skin red and raw..

Thanks for the info, we don't want to waste money on something that does not work, I ran into a couple different people at dog parks who said they were great, but maybe their dogs were just not pullers! My ashlee definately is .........tom

[aly]

The martingale collars won't work at all for pulling.

tom - the sporn isn't a waste of money for most people. I've seen it work well lots of times

[KatieDog]

We've tried both nylon choke collars and martingale collars for Katie. I don't like choke collars in the first place, and the nylon one just seemed too harsh, even though she has a thick ruff. Aly is right--a martingale collar hasn't stopped Kate from pulling, but it has give me more control over her. And it doesn't cut into her windpipe. Frankly, as with all behavior problems, Kate's pulling I'm sure is the result of some cue she's picking up from us. In spite of obedience classes and, now, agility training, she still pulls and lunges--not constantly, but for sure if I don't walk fast enough or if she sees another dog she wants to play with. Usually I can distract her with a treat, but I'd like her to pay attention without, as well.

She's usually worse on the way TO the park than on the way home because, I guess, on the way home she's tired out. So we've started jogging to the park, and that helps too. I suspect she just has so much energy, especially in the morning, that it's hard for her to control herself. (Which doesn't mean she shouldn't be able to with the right training.) If I ask her to sit or wait on a walk, she usually can. So I know she's trying.

I think I just need to figure out (probably with the help of a trainer) how to better communicate to her what I want. For now, I'm using the martingale collar and, when she pulls, I stop abuptly or walk in the opposite direction to get her attention. It takes a lot longer to get anywhere on our walks! but I like this method better than jerking the leash which has no effect anyway.

[binka_nugget]

I think I'll either stick to the halti or try out the gentle leader while I try some training exercises. I'll try leaving some yummy tidbits while we walk towards it..if he pulls, we'll turn around..I hope it works lol

[micki76]

Originally posted by tomkatzid
We haven't tried these yet but I think we will, several people have recommended them to me.......tom

http://www.sporn.com/category.cfm?Category=3

We've had excellent success with our sporn harnesses for both of our VERY stubborn pullers. Chester's the worst and used to choke so bad he'd actually vomit. The martingale collars we bought were a waste of money. He seemed to pull harder and his was only about 1/4 inch wide so he choked even more. We were afraid of damage to his windpipe, so we decided to try the sporn. Now, in case you don't think he's a puller, he's a 12lb dog who has nearly pulled me off my feet! And I'm not one of those tiny women!

I'd reccommend trying it. If you puchase it from Petsmart it's returnable. We had a hard time fitting the dogs properly at first, but when we got them to fit correctly, what a difference it made. We all look froward to walks now!