?? about leash vs. harness

[Roxymama]

How can you tell which is best for your pup? I know there are several different veriations on harness's, but not sure which is best for Roxy. Here is what she dose:
She will bite her leash and carry it in her mouth while we're walking.... its cute it looks like she is walking herself LOL But I dont want her to get used to chewing/biting her leash. She dosen't pull to badly on her leash and is sooooo good about staying right next to me.. if not totally underfoot. I just worry that when she dose pull if Im choking her, which is why she holds the slack in her leash. She is also forever becoming entangled in the leash. Everyday she is getting better, but I did notice today when DH was walking her she was pulling more then she dose with me. But I keep her pretty close to me and he was giving her more slack.

 

[Gempress]

I've always used a collar on my puppies, and have had no problems. I don't think that Roxy is holding her leash to avoid choking, I think she's just being playful. As long as you aren't jerking the leash or being rough, she'll be fine.

I know that some people prefer harnesses on young pups, and that's also fine. But Roxy is going to be a large dog. Give her two or three more months, and she'll be big enough to knock you over. By that point, the collar will be more effective in handling her. I don't really see the point in training her to use a harness that will be replaced in a short time.

Edit: She should be wearing a collar and tag at all times anyway. You never know: she might get punchy one day and dart out the door. Or your well-meaning daughter might let her out.

 

[femke]

We bought a harness for Penny when we first got her and she really liked that, tried the collar on her but she would just fight it too much so we figured if she's comfortable with the harness we'll just stick to that. She does the same thing, grab her leash and carry it in her mouth (sometimes tries to pull it from my hands lol) that's pretty normal behaviour. We used to have an Irish Setter who continued doing that for his entire life, the first five minutes of his walk he had to have the leash in his mouth.

Now Penny is almost six months and we have just recently got her a collar. She was always wearing her harness and it was leaving marks in her hair lol. She didn't fight her collar nearly as much as she did when she was 8 weeks old. It only took her a few minutes to get used to it and since then we've been using the collar on her. I found it only made a difference when she was really little, she still prefers the harness but she is easier to handle with her collar.

 

[Roxymama]

Roxy has had a colar on since before we even got her... the only time I take it off of her is to give her a bath or to adjust it. She's already on her second colar!!!! I was thinking of using the harness for just walks, but I think I'll just stick with what we've got. Thanks for the great suggestions! She dosn't seem to mind the leash and dosn't really chew on it... she just carries it. I guess Im just worried that could LEAD to her chewing her leash. But sounds like that isn't always the case!
Thanks so much!

 

[Doberluv]

I agree with Gempress. I use harnesses on my Chihuahuas for obvious reasons but for a larger dog, they should learn how to walk with a collar...you will have better control. You can teach her to let up on the biting the leash by carrying some treats in your pocket and ask her to leave it...if she's learned that command yet. Or if she happens to let go for a few seconds, or if you can gently and calmly remove it from her mouth.....reward her. Don't reward as long as the leash is in her mouth. Be very consistant and she'll figure out what she's doing to get treats and praise.

 

[Becca_]

I cant walk Princess without using a harness. But with Gracie, I've tried the harness with her 3 times now and I dont think it's the thing for her. Gracie also grabs the leash as soon as I put it on her, runs to the door. If I put the leash on Princess she'll grab it and run, taking Princess with her. Just excited. They know what the leash means.

 

[Renee750il]

I've found the opposite. With the LARGE dogs I have much more control with a harness - just the standard shoulder and chest variety, nothing fancy. Of course, if they were sled dogs, it would be different, lol! It's just much, much easier to handle these with a harness, although they have reached the point now where they have excellent manners out in public on leash.

It's also far too easy for a dog to slip a collar, especially an agile dog. Kharma can even slip a slip collar whenever she wants to

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

I have used a harness on all my dogs, it helps prevent choking and I have a bit more control over them then them having the control over me. Nalla has both, when she is on her chain outside (dont bite my head off for chaining her she jumps any fence or obstacle she comes in contact with, as this is done for her safety and others) but when we walk her I use a harness because she has some pull behind her and she is one strong pitty. Izzy B is harness trained and will keep it that way.

 

[Roxymama]

Hmmmmm... well Roxy hasn't tried to slip her colar yet ::: knock on wood ::: Both sides make good points. Maybe we'll get a harness just to try out and see if its for us. She really isn't bad on a leash right now... but time will tell

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

My three (ranging in weight from 50 - 60 lbs.) are all walked on collars, but I am thinking of getting harnesses for them so when I tie them up outside, and they reach the end of the tie out, there isn't a strain on their neck.