Hello out gorgeous cheeky chops can start going out for walks from Saturday , can’t wait as we’ve been out for a walk where I’ve carried him most days since we had Buddy and he’s getting rather heavy ! He’s growing at a fast rate and wonder if it’s better at first to just have a collar and lead or if there are any recommended harnesses that will grow with him for a while as the first fleece lined harness bought mainly to keep him warm in the garden and stop him disappearing under the bushes at night had already been outgrown ! I also like the idea of starting without him Being on a lead but we visited my mum recently and she had a much bigger garden than ours and once he was ‘free’ he wasn’t overly keen on responding or listening so worried if in an open space he would run off
Hi @Buddy stick to a lead and harness. The harness is easier on the dog's neck. The perfect fit harness, and the Haqihana Harness are worth looking at. There isn't a harness that you can buy and take from puppy size to fully grown adult. Please read the following article. https://www.thelabradorsite.com/why-your-labrador-puppy-needs-a-harness/ You need to keep the puppy on lead until you have a reliable recall.
PS Here is a thread in which the brand of harness for a puppy was discussed. https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/best-no-pull-harness.25046/#post-381271
I really recommend the perfect fit harness. I bought a harness from petshop (unsure type) and he hated it. We recently did a training session and bought the perfect fit harness and he is so much better with this and happier too.
We use a harness as Chewie will still pull when he sees other dogs or animals that he wants to chase. He started out using a cheap mesh harness and is now using a Ruffwear Front Range, which we are really happy with. It has thick, padded straps as well as front and back attachment points. He seems happier in it too. It has a lot of strap to let out as well, so hopefully this one will last into adulthood.
