Loose Leash walking can seem overwhelming if you feel like that’s all that walks are about (and they shouldn’t be! But check the other blog posts for more on that…). Something to manage pulling, like a Head Halter or a No Pull harness, can be helpful, until you can extend your training into daily life.
My personal preference is a harness, because most dogs require conditioning in order to accept a Head Halter, with that in mind, here are some tips and recommendations

  • Not all No Pull harnesses are created equal! There are many brands that offer the front-fastening feature, however aren’t really designed to manage and reduce pulling . My favorite brand is the Freedom harness (pictured modeled by handsome PJ!), however there are few others with similar design that are also very effective.
  • Fit: It should fit snugly and allow for only a finger or two to fit under. A loosely fitting no pull harness will shift and be less effective.
  • The harness should sit higher up on/over your dog’s shoulder area, and should not fall to the lower shoulder area, or hang in front of their legs.
  • The harness should have a front clip, and my recommendation would be to use that, to maximize the effectiveness of the harness

Malli Hutchings is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer located on the Southern End of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.