My flatcoat pup is 20 weeks old. We have been working on walking correctly on the lead withou pulling and generally she is doing very well. She responds well to my voice and changes her pace to come back to my heel if I think she is starting to get ahead too far. However if she sees anyone approaching or another dog she starts pulling instantly,straining at the lead and starts gasping on her collar. What is the best way to deal with this? Should I make her sit and wait until they have passed by. Should I try to carry on walking and attempt to get her to walk close to my heel?Any advice would be gratefully received.

This is a common problem with flatcoats, they think everyone wants to meet them!You can try making her sit, but will need to distract her attention to achieve this. Where do you live? The reason I ask is that the Flatcoated Retriever Society has area representatives across the UK and these folk will help you with training problems such as this. They also have a list of clubs which have "flatcoat friendly" trainers. You might try contacting the Society Secretary who will be able to tell you where your nearest rep and training group are located. 
http://www.fionajoint.co.uk/index.htm

Try a halti head collar for pulling on the lead if you haven't already.  My dog, although smaller than yours, was a demon for pulling (pulled me right over) until I got one.  Now it's like walking a different dog.  I would never have believed the difference.

CG

Don't think a Halti is suitable for a 20 week old pup.   She needs distraction training - that you are much more fun than whoever is coming near you.

She shouldn't really be going for walks much longer than 10 mins yet , but masses of socialisation is good - flatcoats are great at socialising, as you've already found!

Pockets full of tit-bits, balls, whatever, are the trick as far as I'm concerned, and if you think she's overstepping the mark, produce something like this out of your pocket, turn and walk in reverse, say heel, and reward when she's focussed back on you again.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Jo has said the same as I have distraction is the only way to really succeed with your little bitch. Flatcoats really do like everyone and everything, a good training class always helps, hence my suggestion you might contact the Society for good trainers.

If you are in the High Wycombe area try asking John who posts here for help, or Jill Whitwell who is an area representative for the Surrey group.

Rather than use a halti, there is a new type of harness being used, which a lady at club uses. Again John would know what it is called. Her Weimaraner was a handful until she used this new type of harness.

It's called a Halti Harness Polly. Uses two leads, one for control and the other for direction. As others have said, at 20 weeks you really need to persevere with heelwork training. She may be strong now but shes going to be a whole lot stronger in a year's time!

Regards, John

http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/halti-harness.php

And speaking from experience...........
I used a Halti on a 6 month old Rottie cross.  Well, after 6 months, she had such a strong neck, she would pull like a steam train even on a halti!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lea :)

This harness is not the Halti headcollar type it goes around the body. John knows what I mean.

Was it a Lupi, Polly?

I have posted the link with the picture the halti harness is not the Lupi harness