Can I leash train my dog using a harness?
Friday, April 23rd, 2010 at
5:07 pm
I’m totally against a pinch collar and would never use one. I adopted a Dobie and want to start leash training her. I’m a huge fan of harnesses and would like her to get used to being walked with one. Is leash training the same when you use a harness rather than a collar? Thanks!
Tagged with: harness • Leash • train • Using
Filed under: Dog Leash Training
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It is whatever the responds to the best, some dogs don’t like collars, and some hate harness, try both……
Yes, but I would suggest using an Easy Walker harness (www.premier.com), as regular harnesses actually encourage pulling- they trigger the dog’s opposition reflex- It is what makes huskies pull a sled.
harnesses let you control the dog.
It shows the dog whos the boss.
No. Harnesses are used for pulling, so your dog will only think her job is to pull. Besides, walking your dog correctly is mostly mental, not physical. Watch the Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan to learn how to correctly walk your dog.
I had to halter train mine, although he’s a small dog since he has a collapsing trachea, its possible. and my friend trained her dobie mix who was a lunger, just patience and work
It may be a bit harder with a harness. Dogs will naturally pull against a harness so your rewards and timing need to be magnificent!
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002/aha.htm
A prong collar isn’t really that bad. Dogs have thick skin that’s built and evolved to protect them from harsh climates and situtations.
Anyway, harnesses really allow the dog to pull you. Because the force is more concentrated in the chest, a more larger area, the dog can pull you even more. Consider a gentle leader, pronge collar, or simply, a choker [not very recommended, though.]
The quick fix is to give him a good, sharp tug when he starts to pull. That should startle, not hurt, him and cause him to stop. When he stops, praise him and continue on. If he keeps pulling, you can also try to stop entirely, and turn the other way, back home.
No, it is not the same at all. There are collar options besides the pinch collar…
Harnesses are not good to teach a dog to heel with, they encourage pulling. I would recommend a slip collar (you can get a nylon one if you are opposed to the chain one) for the teaching phase and then switch to a harness once the dog is trained.
Make sure you get your dog used to wearing a harness, even if you’re not using it right away. This will make for an easier transition.
The company that makes the Gentle Leader makes an anti-pull harness called “Easy Walk” to help leash train dogs and keep them from pulling. I have a short faced dog (a pug cross) and a haltie or standard gentle leader can’t go over his muzzle. He likes to pull but since he is susceptible to breathing problems walking him by his collar isn’t an option. I’ve been using the Easy Walk harness for about a year and I recommend it to everyone – no pulling at all and leash training using a harness. Here’s their website:
No a harness wont help you here.
the problem with harness is they let the dog pull,
hence why snow dogs wear them ?
you said you dislike the pinch collar .
but in order to leash train ,you dog , you will need a choke chain , to train you dog ,to down sit or come, , etc etc
with a harness this wont work …….
they make a leather choke , try leerburg .com he sells them
easyer for dobbies, but it wont correct you dog while your dog is been trained, all the leather one does is reinforce what u have trained before .
when ive tryed to use a harness on a alaskan malamute
all he did was pull me every where …..
Leash training should actually be a bit easier due to the harness. You have better control of a dog without having to yank on it’s neck when you use a harness.
Teach her to sit on command. That way, if she tries pulling when on a walk, you can simply have her sit, and relax, and unwind before you continue the walk.
Leash training with a harness or a collar is the same. Actually with a harness you may have less pulling and definately won’t have the dog choking itself when it does pull. Plus they have those fantastic options for teaching dogs not to pull. So, put the harness on and start walking!