Enthusiastic dogs approach every aspect of life with passion and energy. When it comes to walking, that enthusiasm can translate into arm wrenching pulling, turning what should be a relaxing walk into a stressful, dangerous event. Don’t let your dog’s enthusiasm for walks keep you both inside! While training is clearly the best option, sometimes a little something extra to aid in pulling prevention is helpful, especially if your young children like holding the leash. So what’s the best no-pull device?

Just Say “No” To The Collar!

Before we jump into the no-pull solutions, let’s start by a quick look at why collars aren’t an ideal option. Collars certainly have their place, but attaching a leash to the collar of an enthusiastic puller could have some dire consequences. One quick glance at this pamphlet from Freedogz.com, and you’ll be wholeheartedly convinced that collars should be avoided with strong pullers. From muscular, nervous, and spinal pain to tracheal injury, this pamphlet walks through the possible problems that may result from either using a collar on a puller or from pulling hard on a leash hooked to a dog’s collar. Additionally, Andres Hallgren, a Swedish dog psychologist, published the results of his canine chiropractic study in a book entitled Back Problems in Dogs. Hallgren reports observing neck damage in the majority of dogs whose leashes had been pulled hard while wearing a collar. If your dog pulls – or if you might be tempted to give the leash a quick, firm jerk – avoid attaching a leash to your pup’s collar for walks. No one wants to unintentionally injure their beloved pet.

Two Effective No-Pull Solutions

A Pain Free Walk For Dogs & Owners

Training is always the preferred method for preventing pulling, but sometimes an extra tool is needed while you work on teaching your dog to contain her enthusiasm for the great outdoors or to walk politely past other dogs. Here are two popular no-pull solutions:

DexDog’s EZTrainer No-Pull Front Attachment Clip Dog Harness

We have tried the DexDog no-pull harness with five different dogs (poodles & goldendoodles) over the past year and have been pleased with the results everytime. All of the dogs seemed comfortable wearing the harness – in fact none of them seemed to even notice it was there. We’ve also lent it out to other poodle & doodle owners. They have likewise been pleased with the results. If your dog pulls, give the DexDog No-Pull Harness a try!

The Pros:

• Uniquely designed with a ring on the chest piece as well as on the back, the DexDog no-pull harness gives you two options for where to clip the leash. The front chest ring helps with no-pull training while the ring on the back is available for a more traditional leash placement.
• Slip it over your dog’s head and snap the buckle on the belly strap. Yes, it’s really that easy to put the DexDog no pull harness on your pooch. And because no training is required, you can take your dog on that long anticipated stress-free walk the moment that Amazon package arrives.
• The DexDog no-pull harness comes in a variety of sizes, each of which is adjustable.
• Our dogs don’t even seem to notice they’re wearing this light weight harness. It’s designed with padding for added comfort yet it won’t make your dog hot like vest style harnesses. Plus no armpit chafing, as sometimes happens with martingale-style harnesses.
• DexDog leashes match DexDog harnesses perfectly, ensuring your dog looks as stylish as possible during her pull-free spin around the block.

The Cons:

• While DexDog offers a one-time placement if your pup chews her no-pull harness, remember that this harness is intended for use during walks and should not be worn by your dog constantly.
• A strong dog can possibly pull hard enough to loosen the front chest strap (although you may be able to remedy this problem by placing the “DexDog” label on your dog’s chest so the adjustment clips lie on her back).
• Every dog is unique, so no product is perfect for every dog. The DexDog no-pull harness is a game changer for many dogs, although it does not prevent every dog from pulling.
• If your dog weighs <10lbs, the DexDog no-pull harness may not be the best choice for your pet, as the hardware may be a little bulky and the webbing a bit too thick for a petite dog. Plus, depending on the adjustment, the buckle of the x-small no-pull harness may end up right behind the dog’s elbow, causing discomfort. Chihuahuas in particular seem to have trouble with this harness due to their deep chested body proportions.
• Some contend that no-pull harnesses can impact a dog’s gait and therefore should not be used with canine athletes (i.e. don’t take your dog on runs while she’s wearing a no-pull harness). If you’re a runner, the DexDog chest plate harness may be a better option, although it is not intended to prevent pulling.

Even if your dog doesn’t normally pull, the DexDog no-pull harness might still be a great option. For instance our young children love walking our dogs, so the DexDog no-pull harness provides an extra bit of insurance that our dogs’ excitement about Dad returning from work won’t result in a toddler’s broken arm. We’ve been using DexDog’s no-pull harness regularly for over a year, and have zero complaints about quality. We regularly recommending it to friends & family for their pets- And we recommend it for your dog, too! If your dog is a puller, give the DexDog no-pull harness a try. You’ll be glad you did.

PetSafe Gentle Leader

You’re tired of your dog walking you, but you’re not convinced that the no-pull harness is right for your pet? Don’t worry! There’s a second great no-pull device that you just might love: PetSafe’s gentle leader head collar. It’s a halter, like those used with horses, redesigned for your dog. Since the leash snaps under your pup’s chin, attempts at pulling will turn her nose towards you, giving you a teaching opportunity. A veterinarian and dog behaviorist teamed up over 30 years ago to invent the gentle leader, a pain-free no-pull device that has since become incredibly popular worldwide.

Pros:

• After observing the tendency to use pain to control dogs (i.e. with choke chains and pinch collars), R.K. Anderson D.V.M. , a respected veterinarian, co-invented the gentle leader with Ruth Foster, a renown animal behaviorist and the former president of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors. The gentle leader is a pain-free no-pull training device.
• When wearing a properly adjusted gentle leader, your dog can fully open her mouth for eating, barking, panting, etc.
• The gentle leader does not put pressure on your dog’s throat, and it does not impact your dog’s gate.
• Invented nearly 35 years ago with millions sold world-wide, the gentle leader has withstood the test of time. It was even displayed in the Smithsonian museum in 2002.
• The gentle leader has been improved over the years with minor adjustments in the width of nylon and the addition of a padded nose piece to prevent chafing, but the overall design remains the same.
• Available in 5 adjustable sizes, the gentle leader fits nearly every dog.
• With 8 color options to choose from, you can select a color that compliments your pup’s coat, ensuring that she looks as stylish as possible during her pull-free spin around the block. Plus PetSafe’s matching leashes come in a variety of widths and colors.

Cons:

• Just as your puppy originally had to get used to wearing a collar, she’ll also need time to become accustomed to wearing a gentle leader. This requires positive reinforcement training (detailed here and also in the DVD that accompanies the gentle leader) and patience. Begin by only putting the gentle leader on your pup for mealtimes and then taking it off immediately afterwards.
• Some dogs find halters annoying and repeatedly rub their faces on the ground or paw at the halter while wearing it. Positive reinforcement is essential.
• Every dog is unique, so no product is perfect for every dog. The PetSafe gentle leader is a game changer for many dogs, although it does not prevent every dog from pulling.
• The gentle leader can be a little tricky to put on your dog initially, but you’ll soon be putting it on without a second thought.
• The gentle leader is intended for use during walks and should not be worn by your dog constantly.
• Note: this is not a muzzle, so it will not prevent a dog’s mouth from opening. It is not intended to assist with aggression.

Don’t we all wish more veterinarians and dog behaviorists teamed up to design awesome products for our dogs?! Do yourself (and your dog) a favor and order a gentle leader today. Your dog’s trachea will thank you!

No-Pull Made Easy

There you have it: DexDog’s no pull harness and PetSafe’s gentle leader. Both of these products are great options for preventing pulling while you work on training your dog to walk nicely on a leash. Don’t let your dog’s enthusiasm for walks keep you both inside. If you want immediate results, try the no-pull harness. If you are willing to invest 2 weeks of positive reinforcement training, go for the gentle leader. Better yet, try both and determine which is the perfect solution for your pet.

Have you tried DexDog’s no pull harness and PetSafe’s gentle leader with your furry friend? We’d love to hear about! Leave a comment sharing your experience!

Disclaimer

Timberidge Goldendoodles may have received one or both of these products for free in exchange for an honest review.  All of the products we review we have personally used with our own dogs and genuinely recommend.