Harley's harness arrived today so I popped into the practice where our trainer works and picked it up after work. I have only tried a harness like this once - at training. So I fitted it and took Harls out for a quick walk this evening. She was quite excited when I arrived home so we played in the yard a bit and then our for an on leash walk. I can not explain how much I enjoyed the walk! I can honestly say that her normal excitement at other dogs did not get to escalate because she didn't get to pull against me and I am sure that helps escalate the situation. So she would see or hear a dog behind a gate or wall and she would get her hackles up and initally attempted a lunge but on this harness that gets circumvented by changing her direction. After 2 or 3 lunges she would puff up but no lunge. So I would praise her as soon as she focused on me and then we would walk on again. I can really recommend this for people who have dogs that lunge and pull (Harley pulls intermittantly). It made the walk more fun for both of us. Harley had a yummy stuffed Kong when she got home.
Pleased to hear the harness is a success @Harley Quinn , I remember feeling like that when Cassie got one aged about 8 months, for the same reasons as yourself. I find that these days I use it less and less as her lead walking continues to improve, now she's 15 months, it tends to come out for situations I know will get her excited, mostly other dogs .
Congratulations!! Wish I had the same success. Spencer still hates his and is still pulling like a freight train. I'm trying a side ring on his harness(both the freedom harness and easy walk one) and it helps some. Don't know if he will ever get better. It's a chore to walk him. However, he is great off leash so far. Happy for you though!
