harness vs collar/choker

[kgirl]

Its me again... sorry to bombard you guys with all these questions.. My EM was giving us a tough time walking choked him self BAD so we switched to a harness. was that a good idea? Some tell me ill regret it when hes full grown trying to walk him on a harness what would u guys recmnd

 

[AKBull]

In my experience they tend to pull like little freight trains when they are young. It'll take training to get them to stop and walk with a loose leash.
I learned the hard way with my first EM, I got him into a harness because of the pulling. Well, they can only pull harder with a harness on. I think the trainer I ended up using said it encourages them to do it. When he was older I ended up using a pincher collar.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

We tend to use a pinch or a prong on dogs that tend to pull and for all training purposes and then wean them off of it so they perform the tasks asked of them without it. We have tried harnesses, gentle leaders, etc. in the past without much success.

Not all of our dogs have required the prong/pinch just like one way of training doesn't always work for all animals, if the harness works for you then go for it but with a large breed I think that you are going to find it less than effective.

 

[Cody]

Harnesses encourage pulling, that is why they are used in sports where they want the dog to pull.
I have used a prong as well, or other training techniques to stop pulling when in a heel.
I personally wouldn't use a harness to try to train my dog not to pull, then later if you are interested in drafting or weight pull or even protection sports the dog will have received a mixed message.

 

[STEVSH]

Harnesses are meant for pulling, so that will only encourage him I'm sure. I use a prong collar. My pup also would almost choke herself out on a regular collar or choke collar, so I did research on the prong and there is no going back to anything else now! I love it!

 

[PuppyPaws]

I have to echo what the others have said thus far. I would expect a harness would encourage more pulling in a breed of that size. I have used a prong collar in past on my medium to large size dogs (no mastiffs her, yet ) and have had good success with it. For toy dogs or dogs prone to collapsing trachea's, a harness is a better option, but in your case I would go with a prong. I have also tried the gentle leaders. They can work but it takes more time in training and more time for the dog to get used to wearing it. And if the dog learns that he can "scratch" it off his face just one time, he will forever be pawing at his face to get it off.

 

[kjaj]

If you are going to a harness go to http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/collars/easywalk/description they are designed to prevent pulling, they cost about the same as the pinch collars with out the risk of throat damage. I have been using one on Misti for a couple months and it works great.

 

[Cody]

If properly used a prong will not damage the throat and neck.
A choke however is a whole other story.

 

[STEVSH]

I've tried the harness listed on that link when Topaz was a puppy. Worked great for abotu two weeks, and then she started getting bald patches from rubbing near her shoulder blades. So that ended abruptly. Just didn't fit "us" I guess. Maybe it would work for others though.
And Cody's right, no throat/neck damange with prongs - as long as you do your research and are using them properly. They are wonderful in my book. Choke collars are horrible.

 

[PuppyPaws]

Yep!

I meant to quote Cody's last post, but it didn't work for some reason. Prongs shouldn't cause damage if used correctly with supervision. They are a training tool and should also not be left on the dog indefinately. Chokes chains again are a whole other issue...

 

[kgirl]

So choke collars are no good? After reading that i may be encouraging pulling I changed to a choke chain lol he pulls one or twice but stops after a tug on the choke chain. It comes off as soon as walk is over. Reading what you all are saying i should be using prong collar.... OH the trials and tribulations of being a stubborn mastiff owner...

 

[STEVSH]

Below is a link to a good article on the prong.

http://leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm

To each his own, but when you think about it the choke collar is very dangerous. Google it, and you will find articles comparing the two.

Good luck!

 

[Marrowshard]

I dunno, a choke chain worked out great for us. Ebony was never a big puller to start with, but there were a few times we had to get her attention and a quick tug was all it took. She wasn't tied out on the choke and we never kenneled her with it because we know it can be a bad situation if they get snagged on something. We basically used it when we took her on long walks or went to the park ... places she was liable to run into other dogs and might need the added effect.

~Marrow

 

[Fixer]

I use a Martingale choke collar, seems to work well with my TM pup