Found a Harness that Actually Works!

[Sue and Cash]

I know the topic of puppies pulling badly has been discussed quite often.   I saw a trainer in Petsmart yesterday working with a seven month old GSD and had placed this harness on him.  The lady just gushed over the difference.  I said wow I need one of those.  I loved that they fit it for us and let me try it out for a long time in the store to see if it was worth the money.  It works!  I can't get over it.  He is almost forced to stay in in the heel position for it to allow him to walk along nicely at a good pace.  If he gets too far ahead it sort of tightens slightly and turns him towards me.  Because it hooks at his mid chest.  He figured it out really quickly also where is was best to be to allow him to trot along.  Just wanted to share the product for those who want to try it out.  I know I am in the states and don't know if Premier Pet products are sold elsewhere.   

Oh sorry didnt' allow me to paste in the link for it.  It is called the Easy Walk Pet Harness by Premier Pet Products.  Did not know  you can put in links.

[Ilona & Gina]

Good news! (I still can't find the link to your harness?)
We tried a range of harnesses and are happy with the one that is padded around the "armpits". Amazing: The dogs don't pull - in spite of what trainig experts say.

I've never like collars, as I know of dogs that have terrible spine injuries, which can also cause behavioural problems.

[ricky young]

HI
Try a halti type muzzle/collar as used by the dog whisperer.
Good Luck Rick

[Ossian]

Ive used the same harnesses for years. George Grayson had then first and they were called Kumfi stop.
Getting them on at first is really weird as they are like two circles. The webbing crosses over on the chest and has velcro adjusters. You put the legs in through and the webbing comes up to a ring on the back so that when you attach a lead and the dog pulls he feels as though his front feet are lifting off the ground and his nose goes forward in a downward motion.
I have tried all sorts and things like halti, gentle leader, Lupi etc just freak the dog out. This harness doesnt. Neither is it tight fitting or awkward so the dog learns a behaviour quite quickly but doesnt really asociate it with the training aid.

[Ossian]

went to look. This site is for people who train dogs!

http://www.kumfi.com/

[Sue and Cash]

I like that looks of that harness Ossian. Its a UK website though....
It looks comfortable and is that like a circle type thing your holding onto then? I would like that.

[Sue and Cash]

I have also tried several different types of harnesses with Dublin. I had problems with the fit on his very deep chest. Cash hasn't as deep of one and this one is two different colors so for one that made putting it on easier. I had problems with Dub with the fleece lined style those pads never stayed in place so I would stop all the time to futz with them. This just seems like it hits the right spot for now to stop him from the galloping pull he did. But he is still growing and time will tell if it works later on fit wise. But for now we are just using it as a good training tool to teach him to walk beside us and relax. Not sure it would work if your dog doesn't also have off leach time daily to do their thing. The two combined are what might be working. We use the harness in the evening when he is relaxed and already had his free time. I know with Dublin the gentle leader was a total disaster. Our trainer insisted on one in class and he spent eight weeks doing back flips to get out of it. Totally ruined the training sessions and I begged her to let him try his own collar etc. She was refused to use anything in her classes but a prong or gentle leader. I now won't go to a class that has such strick one size fits all rules.

[Sue and Cash]

Luckily it's an irish setter I have. A well socialized one at that. And most importantly we walk alone. I do my walking off leash with friends and the harness is for us to work with him walking better which is best done alone!

[sammi pease]

Thanks for posting this Susan...I ordered and just received one of these harnesses for Lola...who has developed a painful habit of lowering her head and pulling as though she were hauling logs...!!!! I have nerve damage to my elbows...and having to correct her constantly was causing me quite a problem...having never had to resort to any form of 'gadget' in my long doggy life....I can honestly say that on the few occasions I have used it now, it seems to work very well...she trots along with her head up instead of in the low pulling position.....it's nice and easy to put on and take off for when she runs off lead...(which is most of the time)....and as you say it turns the dog towards you when any pressure is put on the lead...so ....fingers crossed she will get back into a good walking habit soon.

[Sue and Cash]

Glad your having results as well Sammi. It's been a week now and he does go faster than he did at the first walk but still is controllable versus without it. He too hauls me along and throws his body and head forward in such a way that my shoulder was a mess. I didn't dare try it anymore. Besides the fact it is so embarrassing to be dragged along by a dog. When they have such lovely gaits to their walking style when the relax. Now I actually see people driving by and admiring his beauty! Instead of laughing at us. I do keep an eye on any harness though for fear of any chafing concerns. I make sure to keep that part looser than probably recommended but I do not want any fur rubbed off or skin irritations. But so far its been great since we don't walk far at all. His exercise comes from off leash time.