Harness recommendations to reduce pulling on lead

[snapdragongirl]

Does anyone have any good recommendations for a harness to reduce pulling on the lead. We have a 6mth golden retriever who is pulling a lot and I keep seeing ads for Paropet harnesses which are meant to help with this (lead attaches at the front not on the back) but has anyone used this or similar?

Her current harness does have a clip on the chest and I used that today and she pulled a lot less but it felt like the lead was getting in the way of her leg. She has almost outgrown the harness anyway so I’m in the market for a new one and would like to with something that might help with the pulling….

I really wouldn't recommend using a harness to manage pulling. Because that's all you're doing. You're managing an issue. You're not solving it. And, even more importantly, harnesses really cause challenges in terms of control over bigger/stronger breeds and they can damage (particularly a fast growing puppy) the way the dog moves/walks which can set up a future of joint issues if they are not well fitting (which is a challenge with a big breed such as a Golden Retriever as they're consistently growing until they are 12-18 months).

A couple of days of holding chicken in front of her nose, bent over, teaching her to walk to heel will likely fix this. Change direction every time she pulls. Keep the high value treat near her nose so she learns. At six months old this is definitely something you can nip in the bud.

The thing is, she's definitely still young enough that she can easily pick things up very easy but if you leave it until she's an adolescent it'll be too late.

I agree with @TheHungryHungryLandsharks, teach your dog to walk nicely on a lead.
It's a long process, it's time consuming and you need to have 100% consistency.

But once you have cracked it, it's gonna make your life soo much easier!

I think at 6 months, she's an older puppy and still needs a lot of training and reinforcement. You aren't done until she's at least 18-24 months old.

Plus one for training to walk loose lead. A harness will allow the dog to pull harder.

That said, training has to fit in with real life, so I would still get a harness (my favourite is the Julius K9 as they are quick to put on and take off). I would then use the collar when you have time to train (stop when the dog pulls, change direction etc), and use the harness on the walks where you don't have time to train. The dog will be able to distinguish between the two. Just make sure you do devote time to training. It shouldn't take long to teach loose lead walking.

Thanks all, this is really helpful advice. So I should use the collar when training to walk to heel? And go armed with chicken! Do I use the command “heel” and reward her when she comes to heel then?

A Mekuti balance harness has two connection points to help control the dog and stop pulling. It has to be used in conjunction with training. It isn't like the harnesses that claim to provide miracle cures.
https://store.mekuti.co.uk/products/mekuti-balance-harness-only

Whichever new harness you choose, it is recommended to use a Y shaped harness. They are better for the dog's joints.

@snapdragongirl I'd use a collar, personally, as it gives you that small bit more control if the dog does move away from you.

With mine, I make sure they can see the bit of chicken in my hand before we start walking. When they stop mucking about and sit nicely, or come to me, they get chicken. I then quickly replace it and show it to them again.

Then I start walking keeping the chicken in my hand in whichever way the dog needs it to be (some dogs will accept the chicken is there just by the fact your hand is hanging down with the chicken in it, but some dogs [like mine] are stupid and need the chicken literally in front of their nose so you end up doing a backbreaking waddle down the road with them).

Once I've walked 4-5 steps, I'll say 'heel' and then give them chicken. Then repeat repeat repeat. The key is not to reward them after they break heel. And they will break heel and usually really quickly (cos life is super exciting). So build it up slowly. 4/5 steps, say 'heel' (or 'good heel' if your dog knows 'good' is a positive thing) chicken. 4/5 steps, 'heel', chicken. Eventually it gets to the point where the dog will understand what they need to do for 'heel' to get the chicken.

It's a bit like teaching a sit to a puppy. You get the dog into the position 'sit' and then you say the word and then you reward. Once they learn the word you give the command, they do it and you reward. If that makes sense?

Will Atherton has an absolutely brilliant video on loose-lead walking which is absolutely worth a watch. I disagree with him on slip leads (mostly because I think whilst he uses them appropriately, a lot of owners don't and they end up choking their dog so I'd be happier if he just used a regular lead) but all his advice is 100% sound on how to get a dog to walk to heel.

From all you've said about your girl (not that I am stalking you, promise) she's a smart cookie so she'll pick it up super quickly - easily in a week if you're consistent. She might still drift to the front every now and then, but it happens and as long as she isn't just dragging you along I don't think that's the end of the world tbh. 😊