Recommend your harness for large breed dogs

I have been walking my Bernese Mountain Dog with a collar and leash. He is getting really big (80plus pounds) and I think it is time for a harness. I have no experience and do not know where to start, I have only used collar and leashes on my dogs.

Message edited 7/1/2010 10:28:57 AM.

Re: Recomend your harness for large breed dogs

I only use a harness because Ginger is a puller, and we are trying to break her of it. Once she's more reliable, we will go back to the regular flat collar. Brinkley was trained on leash so we don't use a harness on him.

I bought the Gentle Leader type harness from Petco. It has a strap that goes over the back, one under the chest, and in front of the chest.

Re: Recommend your harness for large breed dogs

Re: Recommend your harness for large breed dogs

It's definitely a challenge, I feel ya! Ginger is only 75 pounds, but she can pull like a freight train. She even lowers her center of gravity down so she can get more power.

Heeling is one of the hardest things to teach, because a lot of dogs are too happy, excited, or dominant to be calm right next to you. It's something we have to be more consistent on, not just on the walks. We practice in the backyard too and I praise the hell out of her (and give her her favorite thing - a ball) when she does it well.

Good luck!

Re: Recommend your harness for large breed dogs

I have 2 berners who pulled like crazy. At the recommendation of a friend I bought these harnesses called "Sensation Harnesses." I was able to order them online..just google sensation harness. They have a clip for the leash on the front of the harness so if the dog pulls they just get turned around and wind up facing you and can't really pull. They've worked wonders with my dogs!