No pull harness?

[Elizab3th]

I just bought a "no-pull" harness for Cassie. (6 month old poodle) It works great, although I don't understand how. She just doesn't pull anymore. It's not like she pulls, then stops when uncomfortable... just no pulling. My question is this... are the harnesses harmful in any way? She doesn't seem to mind it or be in any pain, but I just want to be reassured that I am not hurting her in any way. Also, are the harnesses just a crutch for training. Will she graduate to just needing a collar, or will she need to use the harness forever?

[JustJo]

It depends on which kind of no-pull harness how it works. Some no-pull harnesses put pressure on the "armpits" of the dog when he/she pulls. I am using the Premier Gentle Leader no-pull harness for Bullwinkle now and I cannot tell how it stops him from pulling. It leads from the chest. I only use this because he cannot be lead with his martingale collar anymore since his spinal surgery. He has never worn a harness and my vet gave this one to me for free. All I know is he doesn't pull at all with it on.

The best way to get a dog from pulling is obedience training. :)

[Miss_Miyasa]

I also use a gentle leader no pull harness, and can give a pretty good accounting of why the dog doesn't pull.

First, the high collar mimicks the mother dog pulling on the scruff of the neck and the nose part is the "alpha" dog bitting the mussle to redirect the pup, but this is really just the parts to devlop dominance over the dog.

The actual "no pull" comes from where the pressure is placed when the dog pulls. When you have the pup in the collar or harrness the pressure is put on the front of the dog, and the dog is programmed to push againest pressure. So the hard it pulls, the more the pressure and so on and so on. Now the gentle leader system actually created the pressure on the scruff of the neck, causing the dog to stop or slow down to "push" againest the pressure.

[Elizab3th]

The harness that I have does not lead from the chest, it sits low on the chest, and has fuzzy lined straps that go under the "arms". I think that it tightens under the arms when she attempts to pull, which would stay with the theory of not pulling from the front. Thanks for the answers... I feel better knowing that these are OK to use.

[MerlinsMom]

Just to add to the bit that Miss_Miyasa said,

There's a saying that where the nose goes the rest of the body goes. I don't know where it came from but I've heard it several times in my life. The gentle leader head collar uses that technique to help lead the dog.

JustJo >> it would have been nice if a vet had given me mine for free! *LOL* My dogs gentle leader cost $29.00..I'd hate to try to imagine what the harness costs!! heheheheheh..

For all -- the gentle leader head collar works in much the same way as a halter on a horse. When you lead a horse all you have to do it get their nose going in the right direction and you have it made. the main difference is that horses don't have the ....was it called.. well the instinct that causes dogs to push against pressure which in turns causes pulling
:)

kristie

[JustJo]

JustJo >> it would have been nice if a vet had given me mine for free! *LOL* My dogs gentle leader cost $29.00..I'd hate to try to imagine what the harness costs!! heheheheheh..

LOL! Believe me I have "paid" for that harness in spades!! I think I should be a stock holder at my vets! HaHaHaHaHa!

[MerlinsMom]

*LOL* Yeah...we are beginning to wonder if we shouldn't buy stock in Petsmart. I think we end up there more than we do Walmart. It's crazy..but at least it gives us a safe place for the dogs to learn how to act around a BUNCH of different type of animals and situations. It's be surprised what type of things Merlin is scared of in that store. He started growling at a ceramic aquarium ornament one day and wouldn't go anywhere near it. It was actually kinda funny when it happened. Of course he has been known to bark at himself ...when he's standing infront of a mirror. Now that's a trip!

kris