Anti Pull Harness

[DogzRule1996]

My golden retriever pup literally DRAGS me down the street (which can be quite embarrassing if we're at a public park ) I was wondering if anti-pull harness actually work, because after doing some research, it states that it will INSTANTLY stop pulling. So does it actually INSTANTLY stop the dog from pulling? And what other tools may help with this problem? Thanks.

[Mattie]

Nothing stops a dog from pulling only training, these harnesses do help as long as you also train your dog. There is a sticky thread in Methods which will give you a lot of ideas on how to train your dog to walk on a loose lead.

I only do this for 10 minute a day before I start my dog's walk, she soon learns not to pull.

[Noobs]

Definitely check out the sticky thread as Mattie said, and I can attest that the method described there really works, AND I didn't need treats. And don't worry if you're doing circles on the same three feet of ground at first.

The thing about harnesses is that they help MANAGE the pulling, so you're able to pull a dog back with less effort, and since you're not pulling on the collar there's less chance of hurting the dog's neck. Also if you have a lunger it's easier to manage those unexpected moments. Ultimately, if you train your dog not to pull, the harness isn't necessary except for, as I said, unexpected moments with a lunger or a dog that gets spooked easily.

[scbelle]

I have the Wal-mart version of the mesh Sporn, it does not instantly stop pulling (lab/whippet 8mos old). What it does do is give me more control and protects the neck.

Definitely read the "loose-lead walking" thread. It did WONDERS for our issues. The lunging at squirrels/cats/other dogs/birds/rabbits/other people is still under training. The harness helps, but do not rely on it without supportive training.

Good Luck!

[mspat]

I have had luck with the Gentle Lead Easy Walk harness. It is most effective when used with training as with any training tool. But because of it's design, the lead attaches to the chest, when your dog pulls it automatically corrects the dog by turning them. As all types of harness, make sure the fit is correct. The Easy Walk is a bit pricey, about $25-30. dollars.

[dustyhelp]

[quote="mspat"]I have had luck with the Gentle Lead Easy Walk harness. It is most effective when used with training as with any training tool. But because of it's design, the lead attaches to the chest, when your dog pulls it automatically corrects the dog by turning them. As all types of harness, make sure the fit is correct. The Easy Walk is a bit pricey, about $25-30. dollars.[/quot

This harness is my dog's current harness, and it doesnt help me at all. I have tried looking at the training threads, but it is difficult for me to stick with the training for any amt of time. I am no good at sticking with anything, which is driving me insane and hurting my chances of ever training my dog to stop pulling.


can anyone help me?
thanks

[josie1918]

I rescued a German Shepherd recently with an absolutely insane and dangerous prey drive. He obeys all obedience commands until he sees a cat. The pulling is horrendous, he does not hear or see anything but the cat. I have tried every harness, and head collar on the market. The latest handiwork of the sporn company, is a thing they call a head halter, it is much like a head collar as far as no pain, or risk of injury, however this is a VERY sturdy, well made halter.
It is attatched to a regular neck collar, there are 3 metal rings on each side of the collar, the nose strap goes through the rings and winds up on the withers of the dog, the lead is attatched at that point. My dog seems much more comfortable with it, as there is nothing hanging off of his nose. I am much more comfortable with it, as it gives me much more control over his behavior. The training continues, but let me say it is SO much easier to train him when I am not being drug down the street.

[Mattie]

That looks horendous, it tightens up over the dog's nose when he pulls, it is similar to the old fashioned webbing halters that used to be used on horses. To use these correctly so they didn't tighten over the nose and cause a lot of discomfort, a knot had to be put in so it could't get too tight.

To me that looks more like an instrument of torture and has nothing to do with positive training.

I don't like anything on a dog's head anyway because if the dog suddenly takes off or starts to leap about it can do a lot of damage to their necks, in a few cases dogs have broken their necks.

I would never put a gadget like that on any dog no matter how bad he was, with proper training dogs can be turned round without putting them through this sort of thing.

[Noobs]

I looked that up on the sporn website and it looks horrible.

[josie1918]

well maybe you are right, it's better to just let him pull himself into the street and get run over.
It is secured by a toggle that keeps it from getting too tight.

[Noobs]

My dog goes crazy after cats, barking and lunging and generally going nuts. He will also lunge after squirrels. It took MONTHS of consistent training to get him to walk nicely on a loose leash, and I went from doing half a block in front of my house over and over and slowly increased the distance and distractions. I have a management program where I am always on the lookout for cats and squirrels and take him another direction immediately before he gets a chance to see the cat or squirrel. Often he sees them before I do and we have what I call an "episode".

When I first got him he was horrible on leash and choked himself on his collar. I put a prong collar on him on someone's advice and that worked like a dream at first but he was uncomfortable so I found another way but it took months and lots of trial and error.

I'm not saying to let your dog run into the street and get run over. You said you rescued him "recently" so it will take time to train him but it's possible to do it without a contraption that yanks his nose back when he starts to pull. Sorry if you're offended but there's a less uncomfortable way to train him (and there is) then it wouldn't hurt to try.

[Mattie]

well maybe you are right, it's better to just let him pull himself into the street and get run over.
It is secured by a toggle that keeps it from getting too tight.

Ex racing Greyhounds have been taught to chase after small animals yet are trained not to pull. Another of my dogs is a very good hunter and killer of rabbits, pheasants and especially cats with both of them but I don't need a contraption like that to stop them.

I do know you have only recently got your dog but you do need to train him and not rely on gadgets that don't teach the dog anything expect for some that do hurt the dogs. No matter what you use you still have to train your dog not to pull or try to chase after something else.

There is a thread in Methods with lots of information on teaching a dog to walk on a loose lead.

I have tried every harness, and head collar on the market.

Have you tried to train him to walk on a loose lead?

[josie1918]

My dog is a 110 lb shepherd, I know full well it is going to take time, especially considering where he came from. I am saying, this breed needs a LOT of excercise, I cannot control where cats will be, and while it would be very nice to have him walk nicely, for right now, I MUST be able to control his lunging, in order to begin to train him. He is a very good dog in all other aspects, but for over a year his chasing was rewarded by having everything that came into his yard (cats) run from him when he chased it. His lunging, pulling is why he was going to be euthanized, he drug his previous owner to the point of severe injuries. To give you an example, I too tried a pinch or prong collar, he ignored it totally, I was frantic that he would harm himself with it, so I contacted a PHD. in animal behavior. She suggested a head collar with a martigale. He does NOT like having his face messed with, so the halti, and gentle leader did not make him one bit happy. He does not mind this one at all, as it works more like a collar, it does not twist his nose to one side, it "reigns it in". How it looks, probably not the best, but road kill dog isn't pretty either. For those of us who have undertaken an adult dog, with issues, I am saying I highly recommend this product to SAFELY start your training.

[Mattie]

Josie, quite a few of us have taken on adult dogs with problems, one of mine was taught to chase cats and rewarded when he did. I have been known to be hanging onto a gate as a dog was trying to pull me after something but I NEVER resorted to something like that.

Apart from I don't think it is a good tool to use, it is against the board rules to recommend any gadget like that, please read them.

[josie1918]

Ok, while we agree to disagree, I find it absolutely preposterous that you disagree with the very person that this web site is named after. IF you read her book, she recommends using head halters for pulling dogs. That being said, this section says discuss your favorite tools Haltis etc. However, if you chose to think it is out of line. That is of course your view.