Dog Harness question, especially those with large dogs

I have a 4 yr old 75 lb Lab, he is a wonderful dog, but often gets excited and pulls when we take him for a walk. I am currently pregnant and also push my DS in his car or stroller when we walk, so my hands are full. Right now we just have a basic collar, I was wondering if a harness might be better for when he pulls. I don't want to do any sort of choke collar, but I need something that will give me a bit better control and discourage him from pulling a bit. TIA!

Re: Dog Harness question, especially those with large dogs

Sara is our puller and we put a harness on her sometimes. It definatley helps. I would try it out.

Re: Dog Harness question, especially those with large dogs

What about a no pull harness like this? http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-collars-dog-harnesses/no-pull-dog-harnesses/easy-walk-no-pull-harness.html?sef_rewrite=1

My brother and SIL use one for their English sheep dog.

Re: Dog Harness question, especially those with large dogs

I got a harness for Maddie because she would pull me through PetSmart when i dropped her off for day camp and was concerned being pregnant at the time ...

This is what she has:

Sporn Non-Pulling Mesh Control Harness




DH also uses a Gentle Leader on her sometimes.


ETA: Maddie is a year and half old and about 80lbs.

Message edited 7/10/2009 8:52:17 PM.

Re: Dog Harness question, especially those with large dogs

I got a harness for Zoey after her ACL surgery, so I could control her better and it works great.

Re: Dog Harness question, especially those with large dogs

Our dog is smaller, but we use a harness on her. The one you can buy at petsmart/petco with dog paws on it. She likes to pull on our walks at time, and the way the harness sits on her, she never chokes and I have full ability to pull her back without hurting her, or even lift her up if there is a threat from another dog.

I rarely, if ever, use a collar for the fact that they can choke the dog when you pull on them. The harness is located on their chest and stomach, so I find it easier to handle.

Re: Dog Harness question, especially those with large dogs

Thanks everyone, I picked up the no pull harness at Target this morning---it was on sale and there was one left in his size, so I figured it was meant to be! We are going to try it out this afternoon!

Re: Dog Harness question, especially those with large dogs

I hope you have success with what you bought!

If not, two things I've heard about Lab pullers - a gentle leader, since it breaks their pulling stride... and if none of those things work, an intensive obedience training.

The thing that works is different for everyone but for us, it was doing the CHHHT sound (ala Cesar Milan) and stopping/sitting down whenever he would pull. He would whine but eventually got the idea that pulling = getting the opposite of what he wanted.

Good luck! I know they can be really strong pullers, regardless of how much or little they weigh!