Is it okay to use a half check on a 5 ½ month old pup? He pulls when on the lead and I just have him in a normal collar at the moment. I do a lot of heel work with him and he's fine as long as I have a treat in my hand, but out on footpaths he always pulls ahead. He weighs 30Kg at the moment and I would like to try and sort this now rather than waiting. I'm thinking of using a halti on him when he's fully grown but I don't want to use one until then.

You don't say what breed he is? Why don't you register and give us more info? I've never tried a half-check but I find with my girl if she pulls I about turn and walk the opposite way, after a few days of doing it she heels coz she doesn't know which way we're going next :) Folks watching must think I'm barking though!

I don't think you will find any collar stops pulling............................!

It comes down to training, get rid of the treat, it is bribery, get the behaviour first THEN give the treat otherwise you will end up with an adult dog that you will always be saying "he's fine as long as I have a treat in my hand"..................... 

Agree, and take the training in small sessions and gradually widen the horizons - also try using a stop pull harness to get from A to B as few of us have time to train on a normal "walk" as such, except in small sessions which should be specifically for loose lead walking :)

So get things right at home in the living room first, then your garden, then in the nearby places the pup knows well - and never let the dog off lead if it is taut, ask for a loose lead.

Lindsay
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