Hi - I read in an earlier post about the 'Gentle Leader' regarding dog pulling - subsequently I bought one - I was really suprised that it did stop him pulling on the lead, but it doesn't seem very comfy for him and if I don't have it really tight on him he paws it off his nose.  Will a dog harness provide more comfort with the same results?? I have been looking on Ebay where there are some that say they will stop pulling but I was just wanting some advice from people that have or do use them.  Thanks

We have a rottie and use a harness and to be honest it doesn't stop him pulling, it stops him choking when pulling. We have trained him to not pull but at the moment he's on house arrest then going on 5 mins walks a day so he can't wait to get out and this is when our problem started. Have you tried to train him not to pull? Having peices of meat or cheese in your hand down your side and feed him as he walks, if he pulls or goes in opposite direction walk the opposite way, it took us 30 mins to get to end of street but it does work with persiverance.

I use a harness on my Newfie but I have the opposite problem. He does not pull, well not alot but tends to be lazy :)
I have found though that when he does have the odd 'lets pull' he is able to get his body weight and strength to work with the harness. Twice now he has pulled me over and one time when he did I was with the local vicor who said 'I fell will grace' :-D
I like the harness as it far better as I can grab it if I need to in a hurry. I did however grab it once while he was on a run and guess what I went with him :-D
I changed to a harness as on a non UK forum and Newfie only they had results from the injuries caused by pulling with a collar. I can't say for sure how accurate it was but I felt like trying a harness and now I have I love them.

I also use a harness on our dogs, including our Pyrenees. I have much more control over them, they are kinder on their body and they allow dogs to express their body language properly without being altered by the pulling on a collar. They usually still need to learn to walk nicely though, although you can get special anti-pull harnesses.

Vera

I tried gentle leaders on my Labs but they didn't get on with them. I use harnesses or slip leads on mine. The harnesses are used more when my back is really bad as easier to control them both with minimal impact on my bck.

I've also tried a gentle leader and a halti on one of Gordons but couldnt get on with them.  I now have a dogmatic leather head collar that I find really good.  It doesnt ride up the same and I dont have him trying to rub against my leg so much!!

I used the Kumfi no pull harness on my 8 month old GR after he had surgery to prevent him injuring himself while recovering. He loathed the head collar but just took to the harness like a normal collar and lead. It stopped him doing his alligator impressions when he saw people or dogs he was keen to visit which were the only times he pulled with earnest. I still treated it like a normal collar and kept up the training but it did prevent him from launching himself forward with any force.

Hi Casey
what dog do u have?
I have a very active 2 yr border collie who responded so well with the gentle leader
it suits me & my dog down to the ground
i have it on so it fits snug but not tight
i encouraged treats whilst putting it on him and treats along a short walk (10 mins)to discourage him pulling it off
But i perservered - the walks got longer (20 mins then 30 mins) whilst training him with the gentle leader (as well as play sessions, park trips, obiedience & agility classes ALL WITHOUT THE GENTLE LEADER)
this way, i hoped he learnt when he had to walk near the road he would learn exactly how i want him to behave
AND YES       :rolleyes:       WHAT A GREAT SUCSESS FOR US
not only a calm walk but no more chasing cars,etc
took him out twice for a gentle stroll with my bike (AT HIS PACE!) but on a normal lead & collar - in his previous state of mind this would have been disasterous - but what a pleasure it was
without using the gentle leader to calm and train him i would never have thought twice about a bike ride with him

Just got back from a 30 min pavement walk without the gentle leader - so it definately worked for us as a great training aid

I do think though different breeds/sizes/ages need to be taken in condiseration as to what to use best
Helen

Hi Helen - He is a 1 year old Border x Lakeland and very stubborn (he does listen eventually, but excitable is his first thought!) - and to be honest the harness didn't work.  The gentle leader was a lot more effective. I think I am going to use both, the harness to take the main pressure away from the gentle leader but the gentle leader as the main deterrant for pulling - he is not interested in treats AT ALL when out for a walk, what I have noticed is he listens more to a tight hold on the lead and talking to him to distract him (i.e when a another dog is passing etc)

Hi Casey
u say he's not interested in treats - what about sausagechickencheese