Yes its me again. Well bolshy pup has been to puppy training and socialising and came out top of the class. The problem is me!! I have spinal arthritis and  find the "training to walk to heel" very difficult as the step and treat involves a little bend of the back when giving the treat and its a killer for me. I wasnt quite as bad with my other two and they walk to heel but if I take pup out with them (which I really want to do) she of course larks about and pulls (she is only five months old) and the other two are obviously thinking "well if that little sod can do that, so can we!!) so everything is going to pot!!! I have read your posts about the Halti and have had a look but there seems to be two different kinds. One is a back harness and the other goes onto the muzzle. I am not sure about the latter - looks a bit uncomfortable?? I am thinking about the pup but if the other two get any worse, I may have to think about something for them too. Can you help me please? (by the way, they are Tibetan Terriers and gorgeous, despite the little problems which of course are my problem, not theirs)

ive used a face halti in the past and although they do work they take some getting used to and I dont think they are very nice for the dog, I have got a beardie who pulled like a train! I put a body type harness on her and it works like a miracle, it just gives you the control and then if you like will be more able to get them trained not to pull, the only downside for longhair dogs is it can tangle them slightly but much better this than a half choked dog and a dislocated shoulder!!

I found the halti which goes onto the face rubbed. The harness that goes on the back is, I found, better and much less fussy to fit.

I thoroughly recommend a Walkezee - brilliant invention.  It doesn't allow the dog to pull into the harness and they just cannot pull you about. It does look slightly complicated to put on the dog but once you've done it a couple of times it's no problem.  My dogs actually put their feet into the harness when I get them out so I know that they are very comfortable wearing them.  Delivery is very quick and the sellers really friendly.  I was having a real problem with one of my dogs dragging me into dog shows in excitement - now it's impossible for her to do that and walking is a delight.

http://www.dogtrainingharnesses.co.uk/

Ah, thank-you so the body one is best. I will check the Walkeze one out too. Feel more positive now. Many thanks.

i bought a gentle leader for my boy, and its been great. he was getting too boisterous around other dogs when out on a walk and i bought one of these and it was instant, he never bothered about having it on, and each night i worked at his heel and now i can walk him on his lead and collar.

> [url=http://www.dogtrainingharnesses.co.uk/" rel=nofollow]http://www.dogtrainingharnesses.co.uk/[/url]

The link doesn't work - I think the web site must have changed. Just googled it, sure enough, website doesn't exist :(
Is there somewhere else you can buy it?

Try this

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Dog-Harness-shop-from-Walkezee[url=][/url]

Thats strange as it was definately working yestereday - it must just be a temp problem with thier website.  The ebay link supplied is also the same person as the dogtrainingharness website.  I have brought from both sites and always had great customer service.  The only problem with the ebay shop site is that you have to purchase the whole package of harness and couplings.  I would only use the couplings for a small dog or a puppy.  I have also had one repaired by the company rather than purchase a new one from them.  One of my girls is extremely lovely but very wicked - I made the mistake of leaving the walkezee on her in the car - she managed to get hold of the chest strap and chew through it!  I think it speaks for itself that they will mend a product at a very small cost that make you purchase the whole thing again.

Hi, this might be a silly question ( I know it is a silly question) but with the harnesses, what happens when you get to the place the dogs can have a sniff around and do what he has to do, is there some way of allowing them to move further? Sorry, I just have never had one of these harnesses before and dont quite understand how they work.

Have you thought about clicker training pup to walk to heel?

That way you could avoid having to bend to give the treat - all you do (once pup knows what the clicker means of course) is click whenever pup is in the right position, then the treat can be tossed to her, or near her on the floor.

If the trainer is worth their weight then you should be able to explain what you are doing and why, and I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be okay with it - even if it means either you using a clicker in class, or skipping the lead walking bit till you've done some work at home to get her up to speed.  I'd be quite happy with that if I was running the class!

I'm sorry but will have to disagree with most of the posters on here.  The harnesses work ok for dogs that are not habitual pullers or only pull a little bit otherwise I have personally found them pretty useless.  The only one with a modicum of success was premiers harness which was ok for my lighter built bc.

I use the headcollars and prefer to use Gentle Leaders, they dont rub if fitted properly and the dogs are no more upset by it than they were when they first got used to collars.  If introduced correctly and gently the dogs will accept them perfectly well.  I like them because I have control of their heads.

We use a halti on the border works great and a harness on the cocker works great. I also got (at crufts) a bungee type lead for my cocker so when I stop and he carries on it pulls him back without me doing it. Either may work i think its a suck it and see job!

The walkezee is not a normal harness - it does not allow the dog to pull into chest area.  The lead is clipped to the side of the chest strap - it is difficult to explain.  The dog can not pull you - my girl is 30 kgs and incredibly strong in the shoulder area - she can not pull on the walkezee and it is not in the slightest bit uncomfortable as can happen with a halti.  I'm ashamed to say that she was a terrible puller (pulled my daughter over)  but with the walkezee I can walk her (30kg) and my male (40kg) perfectly.

Ah yes, clicker training. That is a good idea. To be honest, I havent said too much about my pain problems at training class. I feel such a fool when I cant do things and have to explain why because I look "normal" so up to now have taken my grandaughter with me. she is 10 so is able to do most things. Its just, of course, I cant call on her all the time to carry on the training at home so have to look at the harness thing or an alternative training method. I think I have a clicker somewhere.
Such differences of opinion about the harnesses etc. I suppose its like anything else. Some people prefer one thing and others another. Will have to weigh everything up. Am leaning towards Walkeze at the moment but can you allow them to mooch around on parts of the walk? Does the harness adjust somehow for this?

Yes - I attach a fairly long lead to the harness - it just means that they can't pull you.  I wouldn't be without the walkezee now.  

brilliant, thank-you. Will let you know how things go.

> I'm sorry but will have to disagree with most of the posters on here.  The harnesses work ok for dogs that are not habitual pullers or only pull a little bit otherwise I have personally found them pretty useless. 

I found a harness to be a godsend :) Mastiffs are very strong and when they pull it's as if there is nobody holding the other end of the lead, what's worse is they appear to enjoy pulling :( With the harness (around the chest & shoulders) I found I had controll of the strongest part of the body I could 'apply the brakes strait to the engine' :)
A harness combined with some reward based training turned my steam-engine into a pleasure to walk :)

I've used a head-collar (halti) on my Mastiff but it's only any good for minor distractions, if he gets excited (ie wants to play with a dog that's pestering him) the halti is useless it just makes him flail & buck like a wild horse leaving me with no controll at all, so I prefer the harness.

I would say try and see what works for you and your dog. I use a Halti on my Rottweiller who is very lively. It works like a headcollar on a horse, you lead the head. Proper size and it should be no problem. Hers is lined and has never rubbed her, wouldnt put it on if it did. I never have found harnesses work for me and mine, but others have.

Bolshy? Top of class? You have one bright pup. Try doing seeks under flowers pots and things to work him in the week. I have a bad back too so can sympathise.

Yes, she is a bright little thing. Takes after mum. i like the trick mum uses when she wants a toy/bone one of the other dogs has. She rushes to the door and starts barking as if someone is coming, so the other two charge after her, leaving the toy behind. As soon as they are near her, she doubles back quickly and pinches the toy/bone. Sneaky little girl. I love them to bits.