collar or harness?

First off a BIG thank you to all the amazing people on this site for your help and advice. It means a lot that you all take the time and share your experience with first time owners like myself.

Now Tip has been reacting well to the bite advice, accidents are minimal and she will whine when she wants to use the toilet. She has supervised play time with our other dogs. She is getting alert and barks. When she is in the room with me and someone walks in. She gives like half a jump and barks.

Which work best a harnass or just the the lead and collar. She walks with her leash in the garden. At this point we keeping it fun so when we do seriously do walking, she will know its not punishment. Am I doing it right?

Sounds like everything is going well, keep at it!! as for the collar or harness, it depends on the individual dog. Mine was a real bad puller so i got a harness so i would have more controlle over him. you should try both and see what you and tip prefere

Yes you are doing everything right! I think lead/harness is a personal choice and depends how the dog walks. When I first got Moo (10 months) I opted for a harness as she was a bit of a puller and I felt I had more control. Now she walks perfectly we just use a lead and collar.

Each to there own,i personally think using a harness is better as do many others,putting something round my dogs kneck doesnt sit well with me i just dont like it for him but its completely acceptable of course

Sounds as though all is going well .. great that she is enjoying walking and I am sure that if you keep it fun and positive it will stay that way

As for whether a collar or harness is best, it really depends upon your/your dogs preference. Chiquito walked in a harness from day one - he isn't much of a puller in the harness, he is a terror on the collar alone though!

I use a  wide collar and harness with a double ended lead  - it gives more control than either alone and is especially good when in crowds etc (because you have control of the pointy bit as well as the body). The harness is used alone to connect him to the seat belt in the car and when he is on a long line, neither of which the collar can be used for.

A lot of trainers suggest not using a harness and opt instead for a flat collar, head halti or at least a front attach harness as dogs are more able to lean into and pull in a rear attach harness. If you do choose to use a flat collar alone wider is better as it places less pressure on the throat

Glad it's all going well  Personally I use a harness, it was initially because she pulled less with the harness, she doesn't pull now but is always on the lead/long line so I'm staying with the harness.

Bacchus just doesn't like a harness. Got him a lovely Ezydog one and he's fine when distracted but then he will roll about rubbing it on the ground or will rub it against walls etc. Pity really because I was looking forward to getting him a nice leather one. But damned if I'm going to spend £60 odd pound on one just for him to scrape it all. Have ordered him a lovely made to order leather collar and lead from A&E instead and just waiting for delivery.

Yes very much echo personal choice, I started with a harness as said for pulling but now use a lead and collar I prefer to have control of his gnashers! 

 Tip ate my earphones for my pc. Still trying to figure out how she got on the desk   wires not fixable. Think she was cross cause she had to stay behind while we went to town.

nicolene Iveson wrote: Tip ate my earphones for my pc. Still trying to figure out how she got on the desk   wires not fixable. Think she was cross cause she had to stay behind while we went to town.

Oooops!

I'd personally recommend a harness, it's worked very well with Zeus. I actually started off with a collar but he used to pull alot on that, I never felt in total control and he used to choke himself alot because of the pulling. I then got a non-pull harness from Pets At Home and it worked a treat, I had much more control with Zeus and it also stopped that horrible choking sound and prevented any long lasting damage to him.

Definitely personal choice, i personally use both usually at the same time (well for Chance) I have a double ended lead so one clip on his harness and one on his collar that way i have full control over all of him should he kick off at someone or another dog.

Boss has outgrown his 18" ezydog collar.. think i paid 14 quid for it and i never really liked it tbh :/ you ever use a leather one ella or anyone else?

Sounds like you are doing great so far! Its really down to personal preference as far as collar vs harness! I prefer a harness because if Gwen pulls it give me more control and I also think it is less pressure directly on the neck and the pressure is more evenly divided on their chest/shoulders! I would try both out and see what works better for you and Tip! The only negative I would say about the harness is that it sometimes rubs and really irritates her armpit area!

Darcy has both, but it's very much done to personal choice

Sounds like you are making real progress! as said above it is dependent on the dog, Rocky was horrible on walks, pulled and running ahead infront of me, I chose to try a harness, even after many people telling me that a harness would make it worse, and Rocky was great on a harness, he is doing wonderful on his walks and I couldn't be happier! Definitely give them both a go and see what works best!