hi i have a 5 month old staffy named winston who is very good for his age but has got a problem with pulling when we are out he is currently using a harness as he makes a choking sound when he has on a collar and lead cos he pulls too much! im trying to train him out of it but what i want to know is which one is better for the dog generally even when trained ?

I'd say it depends on what you want to use and your dog is comfortable with. Once trained and mature I'd say most people just use a standard collar and lead - as it's the easiest and less intrusive tbh (in my view). By that I mean dogs can play safely (in a more natural way) and there's no restrictions or possible safety issues. Some harnesses may not be fitted correctly and may cause issues. However some dogs are VERY big and may need to use assisting devices - but once again I think it depends how the owner feels and the need to be in control 100% ideally.

My husband walks using a standard collar but I still prefer to use the 'non pull harness' which helps me much more as it's clipped at the top of his back and he doesn't have the extra strong necked leverage if/when he decides to pull. These days it's not that often but still I feel much safer with the harness. I hope as he matures and settles down I will eventually be able to just use a standard collar too. The other thing is the harness doesn't interfere with his throat.

Anyway these are just my views, there will be alternative ones

I've heard that harnesses on puppies can affect growth, but I'm not really sure why. If anyone can explain this, I would appreciate it.

I walked my dog (cocker spaniel) on a harness from an early age and I never had a problem. I still use a harness on him (he's now 3 years old). He walks far better on a harness than a collar, and rarely pulls on a harness, so i continue to use it.

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I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011

Unfortunately, there is no magic device which will train your dog to stop pulling. (Not that you were suggesting either device would do this) There are things like the prong and halti, but as soon as you take them off, the dog will start pulling again.

I would say that it’s important to train in what you plan to always walk him in. If you always want to walk him in a collar, train in a collar. If you want to walk him in a harness, train him in a harness.

Front clipping harness can really help with strong dogs; otherwise I'd use a half-check nylon collar.

There are LOADS of loose-lead walking videos on YouTube

Edit// http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgtqgiAKoQ

This is my favourite method; the dog pulls, you turn around and walk in the other direction. It takes a lot of patience, some people say it doesnt work for them but I honestly believe this is because they turned around 20 times in the space of 2 minutes and gave up. IMO, you have to dedicate time each day to do this, not think 'Okay I've got to get to the park so I'll just let him pull me there.'

I think before doing any heal training, its best to let your dog have a good off-lead run first to get rid of some of that crazy energy from being cooped up in the house Makes it much less frustrating for owner and pet!

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That non pull harness is pretty good if it's the same one I'm thinking of. It doesn't stop them from pulling as that is down to training...not a harness lol but it looks pretty comfy for the dogs as it has the soft furry pads for round their chest. Easy adjustment aswell as you just pull the bit that the lead connects to to tighten the whole harness up. I don't use it anymore though as i prefer just using a standard collar and lead (if I have to). Shep is walked about 95% off lead.

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An ill fitting harness can put pressure on the skeletal structure and joints, particularly on a developing pup, add to that, the strain from a pup pulling into a harness, and you may well unwittingly be allowing your pup to do themselves some damage. I know I've posted about this before, along with Swarthy, and at the time I had read an article about one of the Northern breeds, where they are trained to pull sleds/loads with a harness, and they had found some evidence to show it could cause problems if training commenced too young and at too great a rate.

would a well-fitting harness cause problems in puppies? does it depend on breed/size of the dog?

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I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011

I think as long as any harness is adapted to fit the developing growth of a puppy, it fits well (not tight or rubbing) then it should be ok to use one - or why else would they make them?

However saying that yes, size and breed would make a difference in my view. I wouldn't (for example) see the need for a harness on a delicate, light/small breed of dog (if I had one). I use mine for the control and safety of myself and my 33kg boy.
I also used one on my previous Springer who hadn't been used to lead walking when we got him (aged 3).......but once he learnt how to walk calmly and where to be...then we went on to a standard collar and flexi lead. Never at any time did he go to the end of the flexi/pull or make me feel out of control...so that is why I used it and stayed with that.

Presently I don't use a flexi with my Lab (too many safety issues and he'd be too strong for me if a 'situation' arose whilst reeled out on it!)

I do plan to also move on to a standard collar using my present rounded leather lead (expensive but fab).......and this morning my hubby said he was great on the standard collar (that's how he prefers to walk him) so he is learning and using the 2 methods isn't causing any issues.

thank you all for your advice i think im going to try again with the collar and lead let him have a good run in the park and the proceed with the heel training wish me luck x

Sorry, missed this earlier. The problem as I read it, would be with young pups/dogs, you wouldn't cause problems with the development of a skeletal structure, where the dog is fully grown, although I'd imagine you may well exacerbate any problems with an ill fitting harness, by allowing your dog to pull into them. That's apart from any immediate problems with the fur/skin and soft body tissue that an ill fitting harness, or collar can cause.

Heelwork is really something that should be done for a few mins with youngsters, most lack the focus and concentration to do it for much longer, and often, an inexperienced handler lacks the skill to keep their focus as well. I struggled with heelwork immensely, and it wasn't until I learned to enjoy it, that I learned how to pass that on to the dogs. I make it into a game where I almost compete with the dog to get it right, and let them win, and follow any heelwork with a reward like retrieve training. For me, lobbing chunks of cheddar at my dogs has only been slightly effective, as soon as the food is gone, the motivation to stay at heel is gone.