Has Anyone Used a No Pull Harness on Their Small Dog?

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
Location
USA
My Smooth Fox Terrier is small, twenty pounds, but very muscular and strong and a hard puller on the leash during walks. I already switched him to a padded collar and bought a bungie leash that has some give.

I really didn't want to start using a harness on him, but I heard about front clip ones that may help. He'll be walking in wooded areas in the future, and I didn't like the idea of a harness catching onto a fallen log and putting him in trouble.

I tried stopping during walks until he stops pulling, he usually keeps pulling. If he stops and comes to me and gives the leash some slack, I'll give him a treat and the minute we start walking again, the pulling starts.

He's a high energy, high-spirited terrier, even after we've walked for awhile he doesn't give up on the pulling.

I don't really think I want to use a harness, except as a very last resort. Anyone had a dog like this and trained them not to pull on walks? Thanks for any tips, I tried positive praise and treats if he stops for a moment, but he's always on the go.
 

I have a very strong dog who was pulling so hard my shoulders would ache. I bought a ‘gentle leader’ which is a type of harness that really saved our walks. Like you, I tried many other things before resorting to the gentle leader, but now I won’t walk her without one. She pulled so hard she actually damaged her throat when just using a collar and leash.
 
"Snowball" would drag me into the bushes off the trails. Sometimes they would be on a steep cliff. I had to do something. We bought a chain that when she tried to drag me it would tighten around her throat. She learned fairly quick to walk much more politely. :)
 

Paco Dennis said:
"Snowball" would drag me into the bushes off the trails. Sometimes they would be on a steep cliff. I had to do something. We bought a chain that when she tried to drag me it would tighten around her throat. She learned fairly quick to walk much more politely. :)
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Are you talking about a regular choke collar like this?
Choke-Dog-Collar-of-Chrome-Plated-Steel-HS1_LRG.jpg

I would never use a collar like this on a dog, because it could injure their neck if used to replace a regular collar. My dog now is a small one, and his neck is not thick or furry either, and he's a hard pulling pup, so he can do damage to himself. What breed of dog was Snowball?

I have used a collar like this strictly for short training periods in the past on my Standard Schnauzers. I went to a puppy obedience class with my first Schnauzer, also conformation class, because I did show him for a short period of time.

The trainers there taught us how to use one to make them walk at heel, without hurting them. Lesson over, collar came off.

I used it on another Schnauzer, he wasn't a puller at all, but I wanted to teach him to walk at heel on a loose leash. When he started to walk ahead of me, I did a short correction to the side, gave him the feel of being off balance, and he immediately slowed down and walked next to me. Went home, collar came off. Only did this for a week, training was complete, he was reliable if I wanted him right at my side. For most of the walks, he could sniff and walk around away from me, no problem.
 
Teacher Terry said:
My vet told me only to use harnesses on small dogs because if they pull to hard with a collar they can damage their throats. That’s all I’ve used for 20 years.
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I was hoping the padded collar the the stretch leash took some pressure off the neck. Really hoping to correct the pulling itself.

That little sweetie in your avatar is adorable! 🧡
 
SeaBreeze said:
Are you talking about a regular choke collar like this?
Choke-Dog-Collar-of-Chrome-Plated-Steel-HS1_LRG.jpg

I would never use a collar like this on a dog, because it could injure their neck if used to replace a regular collar. My dog now is a small one, and his neck is not thick or furry either, and he's a hard pulling pup, so he can do damage to himself. What breed of dog was Snowball?

I have used a collar like this strictly for short training periods in the past on my Standard Schnauzers. I went to a puppy obedience class with my first Schnauzer, also conformation class, because I did show him for a short period of time.

The trainers there taught us how to use one to make them walk at heel, without hurting them. Lesson over, collar came off.

I used it on another Schnauzer, he wasn't a puller at all, but I wanted to teach him to walk at heel on a loose leash. When he started to walk ahead of me, I did a short correction to the side, gave him the feel of being off balance, and he immediately slowed down and walked next to me. Went home, collar came off. Only did this for a week, training was complete, he was reliable if I wanted him right at my side. For most of the walks, he could sniff and walk around away from me, no problem.
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It was something like this. It never hurt her, it just slowed her down. I guess when she felt it tightening she automatically learned to not pull.

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I haven't known anyone who has had luck with harnesses with dogs that pulled. The only harness I use is as a seat belt in the car to keep them in their seat.

We've always used a choke chain for training. After training, we switch to a fur saver choke chain (in the picture) without any problems. If you're not using excessive force all the time, there shouldn't be an issue with neck problems.

Have you thought about using an electronic collar? The one we have has 3 settings: audible tones, vibration & shock. It can be set up like an invisible fence through the hand control which we haven't tried yet.

This is the Amazon link to the e-collar: https://www.amazon.com/KAIYIKAPET-U...=B0BXD98CST&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_12_t&th=1

fur saver.jpg
 
Paco Dennis, that bottom photo is a martingale collar - they only have a small section of chain, rest is soft collar.

I use one of them on my dog.
 
Lilac said:
I haven't known anyone who has had luck with harnesses with dogs that pulled. The only harness I use is as a seat belt in the car to keep them in their seat.

We've always used a choke chain for training. After training, we switch to a fur saver choke chain (in the picture) without any problems. If you're not using excessive force all the time, there shouldn't be an issue with neck problems.

Have you thought about using an electronic collar? The one we have has 3 settings: audible tones, vibration & shock. It can be set up like an invisible fence through the hand control which we haven't tried yet.

This is the Amazon link to the e-collar: https://www.amazon.com/KAIYIKAPET-U...=B0BXD98CST&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_12_t&th=1

View attachment 339400
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Thanks for your reply. Many years ago I used the shock collar on the lowest setting that I tested myself on one of our dogs. It was good to get her attention if she was getting near a dangerous situation, but honestly did not use it very often and wouldn't want to use one today. Hoping that some more training and TLC works, we always had well behaved dogs, this little terrier is just super high energy. :)
 
On a dog with short fur a pinch collar works extremely well. As soon as the dog pulled pressure was applied and he stopped, never had a case of him straining or jerking against the collar. We had Labs. Before you go thinking I'm some sort of sadistic animal abuser, I can tell you they don't injure the dog especially when properly fitted.

When our vet first suggested our using one for a recently adopted pound pup, we had a negative reaction to it. He said wrap it around your arm and pull as tight as you can. It's gentle pressure. That wasn't good enough for me. We bought ours at the humane society gift shop -- that's an endorsement of sorts. Before buying it though, I did try it. I put it around my neck and pulled with all my might...it's a gentle pressure.

Two caveats if you want to try one. Get a good one, the one we had was German made and a heavier link. It was easier to adjust to size, and didn't deform the links. If you're interested I'll go and try unearth it to tell you the brand. I showed this collar to a friend who had a Collie that wasn't responding to other training methods and he got one... not effective because it got caught in the dog's long fur.

The one in the pic is a cheap one, because it was the first image I could get from the internet.pinch collar.jpg
 
Oris Borloff said:
On a dog with short fur a pinch collar works extremely well. As soon as the dog pulled pressure was applied and he stopped, never had a case of him straining or jerking against the collar. We had Labs. Before you go thinking I'm some sort of sadistic animal abuser, I can tell you they don't injure the dog especially when properly fitted.

When our vet first suggested our using one for a recently adopted pound pup, we had a negative reaction to it. He said wrap it around your arm and pull as tight as you can. It's gentle pressure. That wasn't good enough for me. We bought ours at the humane society gift shop -- that's an endorsement of sorts. Before buying it though, I did try it. I put it around my neck and pulled with all my might...it's a gentle pressure.

Two caveats if you want to try one. Get a good one, the one we had was German made and a heavier link. It was easier to adjust to size, and didn't deform the links. If you're interested I'll go and try unearth it to tell you the brand. I showed this collar to a friend who had a Collie that wasn't responding to other training methods and he got one... not effective because it got caught in the dog's long fur.

The one in the pic is a cheap one, because it was the first image I could get from the internet.View attachment 339436
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Thanks for your advice, but I've seen pinch collars on dogs before and I don't want to use pain for control. No way, IMO, can metal stabbing into your flesh not cause pain. My dog is a small breed pup, no way I'll entertain using a pinch.
 
The 'no pull' harness I bought some time ago ,, has a collar than has pieces that go under the front legs.
Think of your armpits as doggie leg pits.
They are covered with soft material,, the uncovered straps have ring to hook your lease to.

So if the dog pulls, you pull back, the covered pieces tighten under the front legs.
When dog stops pulling,, hold for bit, praise the dog.
Try again till you are happy when pulling stops,, continue on. your walk.

I was surprised that this worked on Mac.
May have to give him a refresher with it.E82FDAD3-902E-4928-9FEA-B119F6DCFF0E.jpeg
 
SeaBreeze said:
Thanks for your advice, but I've seen pinch collars on dogs before and I don't want to use pain for control. No way, IMO, can metal stabbing into your flesh not cause pain. My dog is a small breed pup, no way I'll entertain using a pinch.
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It's not pain, it's pressure and it's not much at that. It fits more snuggly than a standard choke collar, jerking it wasn't necessary. I wasn't making that up about trying it on my own neck. No way I'd have ever used pain to work with my dog. I was just sharing my experience. I hope you find something that works for you.
 
Yes, I used the Puppia No Pull Harness for my two mini dachshunds. They are soft, adjustable, safe, and rather inexpensive. I used the Puppia leash as well. You can get it at Chewy and it is washable as well.
 
Oris Borloff said:
It's not pain, it's pressure and it's not much at that. It fits more snuggly than a standard choke collar, jerking it wasn't necessary. I wasn't making that up about trying it on my own neck. No way I'd have ever used pain to work with my dog. I was just sharing my experience. I hope you find something that works for you.
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Thanks so much, I didn't doubt you tried it on your neck, and I'm glad to know you would never use anything painful for your dogs. I appreciate your sharing with me very much and hoping I find something that works for me. :)
 
Rossana said:
Yes, I used the Puppia No Pull Harness for my two mini dachshunds. They are soft, adjustable, safe, and rather inexpensive. I used the Puppia leash as well. You can get it at Chewy and it is washable as well.
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Thank you for your reply. Mini Dachshunds are very cute dogs, never even thought of them as pullers. 🧡
 
SeaBreeze said:
Thanks for your reply. Many years ago I used the shock collar on the lowest setting that I tested myself on one of our dogs. It was good to get her attention if she was getting near a dangerous situation, but honestly did not use it very often and wouldn't want to use one today. Hoping that some more training and TLC works, we always had well behaved dogs, this little terrier is just super high energy. :)
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@SeaBreeze right now our Standard Schnauzer is almost 1 yo & is very high energy. He listens at home, but is excited when we go places & we are still a work in progress.
 
@Oris Borloff we've used them on a couple of dogs. My reaction was the same as yours at first & I put on my leg & found out what it felt like. After that, I wasn't worried about using it. As with any collar, you don't use excess force. My GSD breeder called it power steering for dogs & she was right. After having it on only twice on my one GSD he popped himself twice & decided he would behave after that. I didn't have to use it again with him.

I recommend any type of product (dogs & horses) made in Germany by Herm Sprenger.

They also make plastic caps to go over the prongs now. I seen a different kind of pinch made out of plastic (blue collar), but I don't know how well it works. That may work good on a smaller dog.

th-3349652674.jpgth-4143594089.jpg
 
Lilac said:
@SeaBreeze right now our Standard Schnauzer is almost 1 yo & is very high energy. He listens at home, but is excited when we go places & we are still a work in progress.
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Oh my, didn't know you had a Standard Schnauzer, if you posted about him before, I don't remember. Can you post his picture here, would love to see him. We've had four in the past, love the breed, did my own grooming with all of them. They are high maintenance.

They are very smart and loving dogs, he'll mellow with age, don't despair. 😉
 
This morning before the eclipse, I walked my pup. I had plenty of Tiny Trainers in my pocket and was determined to make some headway with him.

He already has improved greatly with his passion, as a prey driven breed, to chase every car or big truck that passes. He's fearless and would lunge, growl and bark regardless of the sound or size of the vehicle, pull until he was standing on his back legs only.

I started distracting him with a treat as soon as he saw a coming car from a distance, he would let it pass without the bad behavior. Today he's come a long way, many vehicles passed and when he didn't react in a negative manner, I gave him a treat and quiet praise.

This morning started out with the usual pulling, as soon as we left the front door. Once we made it up the block, I started to stop completely when he pulled. Each and every time today that I did that, he stopped pulling, turned around and looked at me, and started to walk to me, making a loose leash. I gave him a treat and quiet praise.

Repeated that numerous times with good results, he didn't keep pulling and looked at me and came back with loose lead, gave treat and praise.

Surprisingly on the second half of the walk, on the way back home, he was walking for half a block without pulling. I rewarded him all along the way and was very pleased.

For the last two blocks he didn't pull at all, it really was amazing and I was so happy and regained hope for him. When I came home I told my husband, and he was surprise too, because I usually came come bummed out and frustrated at the walk experience, complaining that it should be relaxing and a pleasure for both of us.

We both joked that it must have had something to do with the upcoming eclipse. I'll see how he is tomorrow, will be thrilled if he's mellowing out with the pulling every day. Will update, good or bad.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and suggestions, I do appreciate it. 💙
 
SeaBreeze said:
Thank you for your reply. Mini Dachshunds are very cute dogs, never even thought of them as pullers. 🧡
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Yes, they both were small but very strong. The harness was recommended by our veterinarian and it made a great difference.
 

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