The Truth about No Pull Harnesses

At some point when you own a dog, you are going to have to buy him or her a harness or a leash. This is pretty much part of being a good and responsible owner but where do you start from all the dogs’ harness that you see available in the market? What kind do you buy? Will it even agree with your dog?

More often than not, dogs have an issue of being attached to a harness and some even pull on it. When your dog pulls, your natural reaction as somebody holding the other end is to pull back, giving you a tug of war kind of scenario. Now here lie potential problems. There is a high chance that both you and your dog will get injured thus emphasizing the importance of choosing the right harness.

Let’s start off with identifying the common types of dog harness that you would typically see online or in your local pet store.

Recommended Read: The 5 Top Rated Retractable Dog Leashes in 2017

Front-clip Harness

As the name implies, the rest of the harness is attached at the front or the chest area of the dog. This particular harness shifts the force to the holder’s direction, so when the dog pulls or about to lunge somewhere, the smart design makes the dog turn the other way. This is particularly effective when the dog is still on leash-training or has not worked out any aggression issues. It must be noted however that this harness may not be ideal for athletic activities and you have to keep an eye for the harness not to get tangled with your dog’s legs.

Back-clip Harness

Opposite to the front-clip harness, this kind of harness is ideal if your dog has been properly leash trained and less likely to pull. Wearing this harness for your dog is ideal in engaging in athletic activities such as running, jumping, Frisbee, fetch or dock diving.

Collars

Not really a harness but it still somewhat belongs in the category. A collar works just as fine when your dog has been properly trained. However, if your dog has more tendency to pull, this would pose a problem. When a dog pulls, the strain on the neck discourages these motions, however, if the skin is delicate around the neck, this could potentially injure your dog, and we wouldn’t want that happening.

In the market today, there are so many options other than the three basic harnesses mentioned above. Some have a special feature such as no pull dog harness. Although this may seem like a holy grail among trainers and pet owners out there, this may pose a problem without the proper research. Brands like the Sporn Non-Pull Harness is simple enough but may be a problem when you handle big dogs. The Freedom No Pull Harness has received some great reviews but to the novice dog owner, having two leashes attached to the harness may be too overwhelming. The bottom line is, there is no one immediate solution to your dog’s pulling behavior. These tools may help you but train your dog in having the right behaviors is more beneficial.

Leash-training your pooch is essential and part of your due diligence as a responsible owner. Training your dog does not happen overnight, and this demands patience out of you. Rather than thinking that this is a chore think of this as a way to bond with your dog.

Here are a few tips that may help you in training your dog.

Start Young

For obvious reasons, starting with a pup is ideal because they are more likely to retain what you would teach them. There are numerous ways of training a dog, but a good positive reinforcement kind of training is nearly foolproof. The basic premise is having to associate a particular behavior, in this case behaving properly when on a leash, to something positive, in this context through treats and having your dog entertained.

Start at Home and Work your Way Out

If you immediately expose your dog to the outside without any mental and physical preparation, a walk in the park may not be as easy as it implies. Introduce your dog to the leash or harness and get them to be comfortable with it preferably at home. Play games and give treats to encourage the good behavior. When your dog is ready to go out, it is recommended that you start with a front-clip harness to have more control. Make sure to praise and give treats when outside. Observe your dog on where he/she is more comfortable. When you feel that your dog is now properly trained, you can switch to a back-clip harness or collar.

Again, training does not happen overnight; it is a long and gradual process that demands patience and understanding from your part as a responsible owner to your dog. There is no one-stop when it comes to training your dog, and if any other company would propose an easy solution, it’s more likely that it’s not the case.

Owning a dog is a responsibility and not something you should decide on a whim. It’s pretty much like raising a child but remains so and walks on all fours with hair all over them. Feeding, training, and discipline are some of the many tasks you would have to deal with, but this is all nothing compared to the unconditional love, devotion, and companion that a dog offers for the rest of his life.

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