Hi Guys what would you recommend for a shih tzu collor or harness?  I have tried for over a week taking a 16 week old shih tzu for a walk but as soon as the lead goes on she flips and squeels?  Would a harness be better?  Any advice would be gratefully appreciated

hiya

a harness is more for a dog that pulls if you can't get the pup to move you might aswell stick with a collar

leave the collar on so the dog gets used to it then you will have to show the dog walkies is fun and something the dog really don't want to miss use treats make a fuss what ever you choose really

try sitting on the floor a couple of feet away with the lead attached and call the dog when it comes make a big fuss use a really long lead or bit of string and just get further away each time

if going out is the problem and you have a secure garden let the dog loose there sit outside with it and have a coffe do this everyday and the pup will soon be fine about the big world outside the door

all the best

david

Actually, id disagree with that, a harness isnt just for a pulling dog....

Some harnesses are designed to discourage pulling, others are just an alternative to a collar.

It might be worth trying a harness on the pup, id certainly give it a go, she might be associating a collar with pain, so if you switch to a harness, that could solve the problem.

Train her to wear it slowly, just put it on for a few minutes and then reward, play games whilst she is wearing it, dont go straight to attaching a lead.

Em

Thanks for the advice.  The pup has had a ollor on since we got her but as soon as I attach the lead she flips.  She goes out in the garden and comes back no bother it just seems to be a problem when I attach the lead.  I have tried everything said eg making a fuss throughing her toy and going after it but she is just not interested and wiggles and screams.  ANy other advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Have you tried attaching the lead and not taking her for a walk? Putting it on before you feed her, say, and leaving it to trail? Watch to make sure she doesn't chew it or get it tangled in anything, but basically put it on and leave her to get used to it.
:)

Jeangenie's tip is what we did to start and it worked.

But we decided to use a harness and Molly being so small we found it much better to control her (she used to get really excited when she saw people and dogs) and we found it easier to hold her by our side and talk to her with the harness and to have her "stay" before we crossed roads. Also I am glad we used the harness because she had a bad soft pallette problem which didnt show up until she was almost one year and I was glad I hadnt been putting any undue pressure round her neck when she used to pull.

Gina :p

Thanks Gina  The vet said today to try the harness as the vet said with her being very excitable she might jusm and choke herself with a lead and collor so I think I might try a harness to.... its worth a try.