I thought we possibly were going to get away without needing a harness because Larks was doing SO well at not pulling. Then lo and behold 2 days ago she started pulling like mad! I know to stop and not move forward until she comes to my side but I don't want to hurt her neck so I need to get a harness. What kinds/brands do you all prefer? We had a harness when she was really tiny but she HATED it even after introducing it slowly and treating her so I don't want to end up with that situation again!
I originally used a rogz step in harness but Kibs never liked it http://www.rogz.com/product/utility-reflective-stitching-stepin-harness/ and it was also a pain to put on. so I swapped him to a Ruffwear front range harness which he likes much more and doesn't complain when I put it on. the good part with this harness is when he starts pulling I move the leash to clip in the front so it forces him to look back. http://www.ruffwear.com/Front-Range-Harness?sc=2&category=1131
I think the first decision is front fastening, back fastening or both. Here's a link (well, hopefully I do it right) to one of the articles on the main site http://www.thelabradorsite.com/top-three-harnesses-for-labrador-retrievers/
I've got two from ezydog. The chest plate harness and the convert harness. Could not be happier with both. They are awesome
http://ezydog.com.au/chest-plate-harness/ http://ezydog.com.au/convert-harness/ I mostly use the convert now, but the chest plate was great for when he was little and it's better for swimming. The convert is just a great all purpose heavy duty built like a tank harness
Sorry, I should also add that we went with a harness that was front and rear fastening. We were pretty happy with it but the did more around a bit when she pulled on the front attachment. It really helped us to gain a little control whole we worked on the loose lead walking and we barely use it now.
I also have an ezydog chest plate harness. Xena is not happy when she sees me pick it up, but once it's on she's back to normal. She only wears it for off-lead walks (because I attach a long line to the back clip) or in high excitement places like obedience class or the vet. I don't like to put her in something she clearly doesn't want to wear, but it's a matter of safety so she doesn't have a choice.
For a young puppy, you need a back fastening harness. A mesh one like the Puppia one is perfect. Front fastening ones can change the gait, which is not desirable even in an adult dog, but could be really bad for developing joints. Ours were in Puppia until 9 months, and then I went over to the Fleece ones from Dog Games https://www.dog-games-shop.co.uk/harnesses-fleece-lined.html These are the same as the Perfect Fit, but in one piece, and with no front loop attachment.
We have a Front Range one too. I trained him to be calm while I put it over his head and clipped it on by putting a jar of peanut butter on the ground for him to lick while I put it on. Only needed to do that a few times initially, now he just waits calmly while I slip it over his head. I like it a lot, has the options for front and back, or just back clip. Nice reflective stitching, sturdily built. He also enjoys wearing it, whereas when we had a different style of harness he would try to step out of it while I was putting it on.
Not sure if you're in the US or what availability you have there, but I got PetSafe SureFit harnesses on Amazon. Simple roman-style, and you can always clip the lead in the front if you need to, but they're made to be back fastening. I've used my double-ended lead to clip both front and back to have more control with my 7yo dog and it works fine - as well as a Freedom Harness, which I tried but sent back as I didn't like the martingale loop on the back nor the way it cuts across the chest. Haven't needed the front-fastening yet with the puppy. I've been looking at the Ruffwear Front Range myself; we have a Webmaster for Burke and it's great.
I'm going to reiterate that it's a bad idea to use a front fastening harness with a puppy. Think of what happens when the puppy pulls when attached to you at the front; they get twisted towards you. That means that the dog is walking awkwardly, which can put enormous strain on the joints. Puppies have such delicate joints, that you really shouldn't be putting this pressure on them. It may be easier for you, sure, but it could cause long-term damage.
I was planning to get a back fastening one until she is fully grown. As far as training with the harness, I should still just stop as soon as she pulls and refuse to move until she gives some slack on the lead, correct? Do any of you use like a warning word or something when they are starting to pull to see if she will ease up or do you just stop right away? She knows "heel" and will come directly back to me but she as soon as we start moving again she starts to pull.
Nope, otherwise it just becomes a chain of pull - word - stop, and the stopping is disassociated from the pulling. If you're working on heel walking, remember to use lots of treats to reinforce that good position. I find it can help to make it into a game, so vary your pace, stop and start, change direction and keep the energy up when training. Loads of praise and encouragement for being by your side. Here's a Kikopup video to show how to prevent the yoyo.
Even though I'm not the originator of this thread, thanks so much for that information - I've bought 3 Puppia-style harnesses (varying sizes), but after reading an article on this Website (recommending front and back fastenings), I wasn't sure if these would be the best option to teach my new puppy (pick him up in just over 3 weeks now - can't wait!) how to walk on a leash. I've taught my two previous Labs to walk on leashes with just a basic collar, but was always concerned about throat damage (with all the pulling in the early stages [even if you're gentle]). So, I'm reassured - thanks again!
Sorry @snowbunny - you're right about a front-fastening harness not being good for a puppy's joints and I appreciate that information. I was thinking of my adult dog when I mentioned that the PetSafe front fastens. Although it also is sized such that a medium fits Bessie now, at around 20" girth, and may well fit her to adulthood or close to it. Of course, none of the front-fastening harness companies mention that you shouldn't use them for puppies! And even the article on the site here which reviews both front/back fastening harnesses doesn't mention that either.
Not everyone agrees that there is anything wrong with front fastening harnesses. My own observations of trying one on my own dog, and observing the way it changed the way he walked, plus my experience in dealing with joint problems caused by a change of gait, means I personally wouldn't put one on a puppy for all the tea in China. But, they do help a lot of people, and may be necessary if people find they can't cope another way. There are reports of one study - by a very well qualified canine sports vet - that found these harnesses changed the gait of dogs, even when they stopped wearing them. I emailed the author to try to get the details, but I was unsuccessful.
There is a technique, put forward by Turid Rugaas, that involves training a noise to mean 'turn towards me' and then you make your noise and turn 180 degrees when the dog pulls. The noise alerts the dog to the turn, and means that the human doesn't turn as the dog moves forward and so ends up in a yank. It works well. I use an attention getting noise these days when my dog is about to lunge to a sniff - I'll make my noise, and he turns towards me instead of lunging for something. That's a bit different though, although it did start off as part of Turid Rugaas' technique, it's what I trained the noise for in the first place. My new puppy had the problem of not being able to take one step and stay at heel outside the garden. I don't use a clicker and treats for loose lead - which for me means do what you want on a 2m lead apart from pull - but only for 'stay at my side' which is an informal heel. My puppy could stay by my side for 30 steps in the garden - but the first time we walked in more exciting places, I clicked for her being by my side - treat. I then clicked again for her not moving forward after the treat - treat. I then clicked her moving forward as my left leg moved and fed the 3rd treat on the move. The two treats for not moving forward just seemed to help reinforce 'being at my side' more than just feeding on the move. If she is struggling, I go back to clicking every left leg step, and I will stop if I have to. So it can be: Sit at heel - C&T. C&T for not moving. Left leg forward, stop as I C&T. Sit at heel - C&T. C&T for not moving. Left leg forward....so it ends up being 3 treats for each step. Well, if that is what it takes, that is what it takes. It's really important that the click doesn't release the dog - I made this mistake with my first dog. He would release from a heel position on a click, so he would move forward on a click! To solve this, I fed in position, and fed in position some more. Always touch your left hip with the treat, then feed down the seam of your trousers. This way of sort of 'anchoring' the treat delivery to the position seemed to help a lot. Don't think it has to be click and only one treat - it can be click and several treats.
This is fantastic information. Thank you so much! I went to the pet store and tried some harnesses on Larks this evening and she just HATED it. Poor thing. I just think they aren't that comfortable for her. I didn't end up getting one, thinking I may be able to find a better option online, but maybe if we try this technique to train we won't have to get one quite yet.
I actually only used the front clip maybe 3 or 4 times, now he doesnt yank or pull too much anymore. it was just in the beginning, and sometimes when hes being super stubborn. overall the ruffwear harnesses quality is superb as well, and he looks cool in it haha.
Both my dogs hate harnesses. My older dog especially. I do work on them being ok with harnesses because if I think they might pull (e.g. my older dog pulls dreadfully watching other dogs retrieve or watching remote dummies launchers) I do want them in harnesses. But there is no doubt that they just do not like them.
