Harness recommendation ?

[C908]

I'm thinking about getting a harness for Preacher. I've been forced to use a prong collar on him daily and it is really irritating his neck.Ive been studying the different types, seems like one with a front attachment would be good. He is a puller which is why the prong collar is bothering is neck. Just wondering what some of you are using ? Thanks !

 

[strykerdobe]

Just seems unlikely when using a prong correctly and positioned correctly high up the neck under the jaw he would be still pulling?
Just saying harness can create more drive, because you will be holding him back. So he will want to go forward more.
You still most likely have more of a pulling issue.

 

[Firestar Dobe]

I agree with @strykerdobe, I have never seen that problem with a prong. I have been using them for close to 20yrs now. If you do go with a harness you should do a front clip as a back clip will encourage pulling because they can then use their whole chest. I'm not sure a front clip will stop a strong puller though. Usually a front clip harness will help only if the dog is small or not a strong constant puller.

 

[Kaiser2016]

I wrote this up a while back:
Easy Walk Harness: Instead of a Prong Collar?

 

[ArdynBane]

As my former obedience trainer once said: Harnesses are not meant for leash training.

How are you using the prong? Is it high up on his neck? What size of prong are you using?

Also, what kind of prong are you using? I find the cheaper quality prongs, the material it is made of can cause irritation on dogs' necks. The edges can also be rougher and not properly "rounded" on cheaper prongs, hence more irritation.

Have you taught your dog leash respect yet?

 

[jazzies mum]

I have a harness for Jazz but my purpose in using it is to have her pull firmly and consistently into it. This wears her out, teaches her voice commands for direction and to be guided by my body language. It is a tracking harness that allows full movement of her shoulders and has good padding on the pressure points. Interestingly, she is more willing to walk with a nice loose leash on her flat collar now that there are times when she is required to pull in the harness. Maybe she likes the rest from working!

Am not a fan of the type of harness to reduce pulling as it seems to be more of a hobble to inhibit them, and the gentle leader was a misery to Jazz, although it worked.

Does anyone know if using an e collar to disallow pulling works? Just trying to think of an alternative to the prong collar.

 

[Drogon]

Harnesses are designed for pulling. It will encourage it. If your dog is pulling through a prong collar, you're using it wrong. You need to pop/snap the lead before the dog gets to the end of it where it can pull.

 

[C908]

Let me say Preacher has been our biggest challenge. He is very smart but also like a bull. I started out walking with a flat collar then a choker collar, martingale collar and finally a prong collar. I have used different length leashes including a 16 ft retractable. What I finally found works best is an 18 inch leash with a prong collar for around town. When I take him to the Fairgrounds I put him on the 16 ft retractable to give him some freedom. If someone sees me walking him on the short leash he looks like he is walking good but he really isn't. He is beside me on my left side but he almost always keeps constant pressure causing the prong collar to stick his neck. I try and keep the prong collar up high but its hard to do unless it is really snug. Preacher is a beautiful dog but has been our most difficult to train out of the 5 dobermans we have owned. We are really starting to wonder if there might be some truth in his South American bloodlines giving him a sharper temperament. Another area we are having difficult with is his behavior when riding in the car. We will save that for another discussion.

 

[ArdynBane]

Have you taught him leash respect/training? IMO, putting a variety of training equipment expecting him to learn leash manners on his own isn't fair to him. Dogs must be taught what you want from them, and the equipment is meant as a way of communication of what you want.

Can you post a photo of the type and size of prong you have? Same as how it is sitting on his neck?

Is there a reason why you have a long lead?

 

[Kaiser2016]

Preacher is a beautiful dog but has been our most difficult to train out of the 5 dobermans we have owned. We are really starting to wonder if there might be some truth in his South American bloodlines giving him a sharper temperament.

I’m going to say yes! We only have the experience of our current Doberman and he’s a Euro. Locally we are surrounded by Americans and they are different. I know the breed standard says they should all be the same in their temperament but they’re just not. Yes, they are beautiful to look at but my heavens is this dog a whole ton of work!

 

[C908]

Have you taught him leash respect/training? IMO, putting a variety of training equipment expecting him to learn leash manners on his own isn't fair to him. Dogs must be taught what you want from them, and the equipment is meant as a way of communication of what you want.

Can you post a photo of the type and size of prong you have? Same as how it is sitting on his neck?

Is there a reason why you have a long lead?

 

[C908]

View attachment 95949 View attachment 95949 View attachment 95949

As to the question of why the long lead, we only use that at the Fairgrounds where we are out in the wide open. My wife likes for him to have more freedom since I walk him on an 18 inch leash in town.

 

[C908]

I have not ordered a harness yet but I have done a great deal of research. It's amazing how many different kinds are available. Even the top rated ones have a few negative reviews. The one I would probably most consider is the Ruffwear Front-range. It has a front attachment along with a back attachment which is what I would want. I think a back attachment only is going to make him pull like a sled dog. Without trying the front attachment I don't know how well it will work with Preacher. Some of the reviews claim it helps while a few say it didn't work.

 

[Brioddy]

Brinks is a terrible tugger too, a prong is necessary. But I have started using a harness on him for jogging, because when we’re kept moving he’s more focused and happy because he’s not being held back. But I will not hold the lead by hand, I have a ten foot horse lead that I tie around my waist. He helps giving me a boost and initially I thought that having the lead attached to your midsection was a recipe for disaster, but the truth is it’s the exact opposite. It is much easier to absorb shock and stay balanced, plus it’s nice to free up your hands.

This is the harness I’ve been using on trails, Browning makes it and it was less than $30. It fits nicely and it has neoprene padding on the key points which is nice. We have done very difficult, technical trails for hours at a time and he moves with full mobility and comfort.

I just ordered this harness for an upcoming race we are participating in. Not because the Browning harness is lacking, but more so I believe this one will suit better with helping pull me along and I wanted to color coordinate . I’m a girl what can I say I like (dog) accessories?



I forgot to mention that there’s also a front hook on the Browning harness, but I haven’t personally tried it yet.

 

[C908]

Brinks is a terrible tugger too, a prong is necessary. But I have started using a harness on him for jogging, because when we’re kept moving he’s more focused and happy because he’s not being held back. But I will not hold the lead by hand, I have a ten foot horse lead that I tie around my waist. He helps giving me a boost and initially I thought that having the lead attached to your midsection was a recipe for disaster, but the truth is it’s the exact opposite. It is much easier to absorb shock and stay balanced, plus it’s nice to free up your hands.

This is the harness I’ve been using on trails, Browning makes it and it was less than $30. It fits nicely and it has neoprene padding on the key points which is nice. We have done very difficult, technical trails for hours at a time and he moves with full mobility and comfort.

I just ordered this harness for an upcoming race we are participating in. Not because the Browning harness is lacking, but more so I believe this one will suit better with helping pull me along and I wanted to color coordinate . I’m a girl what can I say I like (dog) accessories?

View attachment 95959 View attachment 95960

I forgot to mention that there’s also a front hook on the Browning harness, but I haven’t personally tried it yet.

View attachment 95961

Thank you, I will take a look at the Browning Harness.

 

[Dogs4Life]

We have used this one from the start. It has the regular hook up and a front one. Not sure if all front ones are the same but this one turns him to the side when he tugs eliminating most of his power behind pulling.

Walk Right Front-Connect Padded Dog Harness

Or if you search walk rite padded front harness on Amazon or whatever you should be able to find it.

I would put it on Zeus but he gets too excited not to take him on a walk...and it's pouring outside! I'll see if I can find an older picture though.

 

[Lizbeli]

I have the Ruffwear Front range harness. Both dogs I have used it with pull quite a lot with the back clip. Im not sure if the front clip has been changed since 3 years ago, but on mine it is just a nylon loop. I personally would not hook a large dog using it.

 

[C908]

I have the Ruffwear Front range harness. Both dogs I have used it with pull quite a lot with the back clip. Im not sure if the front clip has been changed since 3 years ago, but on mine it is just a nylon loop. I personally would not hook a large dog using it.

View attachment 95980

Thanks, your the first one I have found using this harness. I actually called Ruffwear yesterday and asked them about the front loop. They said it had been tested to handle up to 400 lbs. I would like to ask other than the front loop how do you like the harness ? I'm wondering how well it fit and what size you got. Preacher has a 33 inch chest and weighs 85 lbs. Did you have any issues with it rubbing under the front legs ?

 

[Atingles10]

We have tried everything for the pulling and I agree that a harness that clipped in the back lead to the worst pulling for our guy. We just finished our first round of group training classes which really have helped. In high excitement areas the prong is our go to. Honestly the best thing we have found for pulling though is training. We have been working on it continuously for a couple months now and this morning I can say he only attempted to pull for 50% of the walk, which is SO much better than before! He has on 3 collars for his walk, flat dollar, martengale, and prong. We didn't even use the prong collar this morning. I would recommend working on finding ways to reward him when he walks with slack in the leash. We also work on rewarding when his attention is caught by something but then we can bring the focus back to us. If you are looking for something in the interim our dog Walker says she has great results with a harness that has the front and back clip. Sure actually utilizes both clips, with the correct leash attachment of course, and this helps keep them from pulling as well she said. Good luck!