harness question

Hi
Buddy is 13 weeks and is due to go for his first outside walk next Monday , I have gotten him used to his collar and lead and also a soft harness- he does still try to chew the lead but I have swapped the webbing one for a chain lead and he doesn't like the sound of it so he tries to run away from it ! - this leads me to think he will pull quite a bit when we are in the wide world so I think I harness will be better for him and his wind pipe ! - so my question is....

do I stick with a soft harness until he is bigger or do I by a more substantial harness knowing he will probably grow out of it and I will have to replace it .. I was looking at the Ezydog chest plate harness until pulling is sorted -

is this type of harness necessary for the age he is at or should I stick with a soft one until he is used to walking on it or will that give me more pulling issues ?

I'd look to see if you can find an adjustable harness.

I wouldn't worry about a non-pull harness, I'd concentrate instead on teaching Buddy how to walk with you off lead, and how to walk nicely on lead.

I always vote for letting puppies off lead straight away when you first go out. They don't have the confidence to go far from you and for me it's the best opportunity you have to teach them how to walk off lead. Pick your spot and your time carefully. Find somewhere where there is nothing really exciting going on, where there aren't too many other dogs and obviously somewhere safe - not near a road is the obvious one. 90% of pups will stick to you like glue. You can then also start outdoors recall training and heel, using treats to bring Buddy to where you want him.

Also, do have a look at Victoria Stilwell's puppy training videos, they're super! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0C724F6F6A597540

And with practise, you won't need any special sort of harness at all.

thanks for the advice, I have seen some of her you tube clips she is good I will have a look at the link , bit nervous of letting him off as my husband thought it would be great to play chase with him now every time you approach him he runs for you to chase him- doing my best to break that habit... but I do have a local secure field that I can hire for a donation to the rescue kennels that own it so I may book that and see how he is before trying a park - he may well surprise me- its been a long time since I let a dog off especially a puppy -last ten years I owned a rescue greyhound who would still chase so always on a long line..
me and Buddy learning together on this journey

Ah... I see. Well, if it's any consolation puppies are much, much easier to train than husbands!

You can turn that game around. If Buddy expects you to chase him, then run for him to chase you! Call 'Buddy come' and let him chase and catch you and be mega pleased with him, an alternative way to teach recall.

The secure field sounds a brilliant idea. Go for it!

well buddy did fine in the secure field came every time he was called - up until the end when I Think he was tired and we had to go and get him.. only down side was we had given him some treats as we were calling him back and forth and bless he threw up all over my husband !! oops...
he really thought he was in trouble bless him sat an felt sorry for himself the rest of the day while I cleaned my car !!!