Collar or harness? Also some issues associated with them

Ok so a little bit of background, I got Lola at 8 weeks old and she's now 16 weeks. She hasn't worn a collar from day one, she found it itchy and actually marked herself and didn't really need to wear one so I just didn't bother. So now she's older and we have started puppy class one is needed and so is walking on a lead. So.... she sees the collar and runs away, she will eat treats when I don't have it but won't when I'm putting it on (stress?) however I wouldn't class the treats as 'high value' so maybe I need to use something more tasty

My personal preference is a harness as I think there is more control. You may even find that a harness is tolerated over the collar but I guess we'll not know until you try.

Ok so a little bit of background, I got Lola at 8 weeks old and she's now 16 weeks. She hasn't worn a collar from day one, she found it itchy and actually marked herself and didn't really need to wear one so I just didn't bother. So now she's older and we have started puppy class one is needed and so is walking on a lead. So.... she sees the collar and runs away, she will eat treats when I don't have it but won't when I'm putting it on (stress?) however I wouldn't class the treats as 'high value' so maybe I need to use something more tasty

For some reason it want show my full post. This isn't even half of it

Odd... Usually it's a character at where the post stops that doesn't allow the rest to be displayed, check and see if it's just plain text or something a little out of the normal in the writing

Collar every time make a game with the collar until you can get it on her I tried a harness the dog/puppy trainer wasn't to happy about it. saying it can encourage some dogs to pull changed to a collar and with patients and lots of treats he now walks on lead like a good un .but every dog is different

I found school time they really want a collar for training! Have you found a high value treat that Lola will work for? Cheese or sausage work well with most staffies

The canine club here also told me to use a collar when she will eventially go.
However, I'm currently using a harness for lead training because I don't want to be causing uncomfort to throat/neck.

Maybe try harness at home to get leading practice and work on collar wearing. Personally speaking, I wouldn't leave the collar on at home outside training or necessity to avoid her marking herself. I also made sure
I bought a really soft collar

I found a top treat was dehydrated liver Max would do anything for the stuff but use sparingly to make it a special treat

I prefer a harness, I have nice padded vest type ones. I do put Rebel in a collar for puppy class etc so he is used to it. Like Nifty said maybe start with a nice soft harness & introduce a collar. Praise & rewards along with slow gentle introduction should do the trick. Enjoy your pup

I'd use a harness every time.

Harnesses do not make dogs pull. Dogs pull for all sorts of reasons, having a harness on is not one of them. A dog can learn to pull against a harness just as well as they can learn to pull against a collar, but the harness will not cause the dog to pull in the first place.

I have a vet friend who is a bit alternative in what she does and how she does it. Although mainly a horse vet, she also treats dogs. Her focus in on underlying causes to problems, not just the problems themselves. She is convinced she sees more neck related problems from dogs who pull against collars than against harnesses.

For fear of objects, I love using the clicker. I used it a lot with Millie when she was little as she's a nervous dog and was scared of just about everything, including her harness. There's a video clip here that shows you a bit how it works



The starting point is to pair something else, in this case the red target, with high value treats and the clicker. If you're interested I can explain how you get that started. Then you use the target to help you set up the situation you actually want so you can reward the steps towards that. You can see in that clip how the target gives her confidence as she knows what to do with it.

With the collar, you could have it on the floor to start off with, then in your hand.

Shout if that's an idea that interests you as I'm happy to walk you though how I'd do it.

As for teaching loose lead walking, have a read through this and look at the video clips that are linked to.

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t66712-teaching-loose-lead-walking#1022186

I didn't say all dogs will pull in a harness all i'm saying is some dogs will pull because thats what he/she wants to do, with a good trainer and hard work on your/our part we can get a dog to walk on a collar and they also look less intimidating which has got to be a good thing for the breed

channi wrote:some dogs will pull because thats what he/she wants to do, with a good trainer and hard work on your/our part we can get a dog to walk on a collar

Exactly this, except I'd say they pull not through wanting to more than through feeling that pulling is what will achieve what they seek, be it getting to a smell quickly, coping with their level of energy, or even trying to get away from an uncomfortable harness or collar. But those same dogs will do that with a harness or with a collar, using the harness won't create or increase the pull. At the end of the day, it is good training, either with a trainer or on your own, with lots of patience and hard work, that will get you there.

If you go for a studded leather harness I agree it may look intimidating but most harnesses look fine, in my opinion. And you could always go for a pretty pink one

the best ones i've found are the Julius K9. they do a powerharness version especially for bull breeds etc & they're quite reasonably priced. they fit really well & are extremely strong. plus, they look good!

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_collars_dog_leads/harnesses/julius_k9_harnesses/194482

Agreed the Julius k9 fits really well and the handle comes in very useful.

Mia was an escape artist with the harness. i got good advice from my local dog warden at the time the key with a collar if you plan on using one id recommend either a wide soft leather collar or neoprene and id always take the collar off at night. If i was going to buy a harness id also get the julius k9 but all depends on your daily walks and what suits your dog and yourself.