Hi, my sister has a lovely foster (male) Dalmatian who pulls like a train and he is a big boy, he came with a harness but makes him pull harder, she has tried using a halti but he really dislikes it....any suggestions to what she could use?

THanks :)

Apart from using a harness is she using any training 'methods' (Walking in the opposite direction the minute he pulls to keep him to heel) etc?

Yes she has tried stoppping and starting, walking in opposite direction....he then seems to pull that way!! LOL :) treats etc...:)

Hi Dexter

TBH there's no quick fix with the pulling scenario IME.  I've recently tried a gen-con all in one (I've also used a dogmatic many years ago with good results) which does help but needs to be used as an aide rather than the sole means of prevention - so your sister will still have to use stop/start/turn and random treats to train the desired behaviour at the same time.  I'd use it with a clip onto an ordinary flat leather collar so that your sister can decide how much or little schooling is being carried out by the dog responding to her or the restraint of the nose strap.

Most dogs will adapt to something over their nose but some will need longer than others to adjust.  Practicing putting it on and taking it off with treats when indoors and in the garden first should help :)

I've never used a harness but friends who have all seem to have dogs that pull more than they would on a collar and lead (but perhaps that's just them LOL)

HTH, Teri

Thanks Teri will pass on :)

It may be very useful to invest in a specific StopPull harness, such as the one made by Kumfi (which I think may now be HiCraft - think they are the same) or by Halti or Easywalker.

They direct the movement upwards or sideways so it is much harder for the dog to pull. I always suggest these, certainy for walking from A to B, when owners may not have time for training :)

Also the general circumstances may mean he is more likely to pull - for instance, if a dog is at home for most of the day and the walk at the end is his highlight he ismuch more likely to pull like a train...:)

i had a stop-pull harness for a short while for my siberian husky, who obviously is a big fan of pulling. he's a big lad and so was getting too much for my girlfriend to handle.
the one i had was from pets at home for about £12 for large breed.
it did have a big affect on his pulling, but he didn't like it becuse his fur would catch in it. i imagine a dalmation wouldn't have this problem with shorter fur etc.
Tbh it wasn't the best quality and jake snapped one of the clips after about a week, but it is relatively cheap and there are better ones on the market.

Yes, some of the harnesses are not very good, I think one, the Lupi, tends to rub under the arms for instance - however, not sure if this is the case now although it was some years ago.

The actual Stop Pull harness is good quality IMHO and IME does not rub. I've not used the Halti harness but I believe that and the others I mentioned are at least reasonable quality :) Hope so anyway.

The Halti harness is excellent i have one for my big girl.  Its very simple and quick to put on as well (no trying to thread long legs through it).  I have tried others but nothing has beaten this.  It doesn't rub either.

I used a lupi with my Lab and it worked wonders and didn't rub him at all. I would highly recommend it!

I would also try clicker training as this can communicate fast to the dog what it is you want him to do.

I think they've altered the Lupi now as it used to have very thin bits under the armpits?

Lindsay
x

I recall years ago trying to lead train my fathers Lab at the time, he'd never been on a lead and he was about 2 at the time. It took me the whole summer to get him to walk nicely, we didn't use any harness or halti.
I basically used a combination of the stop dead every time he pulled and also changing direction. He soon walked like a dream in a matter of months and stopped pulling and choking himself.
Persistance is the key here i think, how long has she got the dog for as you mention he is a foster dog..

THanks guys for advice, will pass on info :) i don't think he has been on the lead much if at all... he makes my pup look lead trained! Lol :)
She has got him until he finds his forever home :)