COLLAR or HARNESS (and which ones?)

[LarryL]

Hey guys,

I'm just trying to get some feedback regarding neck collars, or harnesses.

I am getting my 12 week old pup on February 13th.

He is a tiny goldendoodle.

should be 18-25lb full grown - and is 12 weeks when I get him.

What are your preferences ?

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

We started walking Libby on a two mile walk when she was seven months old and she was a major "puller".  We purchased a Gentle Leader and the first time it was on her she never pulled again.  She is a great walker and so easy to handle.  I know not everyone likes these, but for us it works and she loves it!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am for a collar.  We didn't get Ned until he was 3 1/2 months old so perhaps my viewpoint is skewed.  He was about 12 pounds then.  He is 27 now.

[Kyoko]

I have both. I use collar for quick potty break, and harness for walks an hikes.

In the house, they just wear very light rolled leather collar, but I don't put leash on these collars since they are so light and skinny. The collar I use of the potty break is martingale collar. I can just slip it through their head so it is convenient for the quick potty break.

The harnesses I have are made of hemp with fleece lining from Planet Dog.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

OMG what a beautiful puppy !!!  My doodles are big and I use the Gentle Leader on both because they are pullers.  I have tried everything out there.... collars, harnesses, etc. etc.  Right now they have tons of cool collars and always use the Gentle Leader when walking.  I have collected enough collar and leash sets for about 30 dogs - LOL.  I'm a sucker for fancy collars & leash sets.

[Sally S Miles]

He is gorgeous and I'm sure your wife will be thrilled.  If your pup is getting some additional training it might be a case of easy lead training, but I'm going to offer up here that I have two dogs and still can't find a harness to fit either of them - so it's just  not an option.  I've bought and returned them all, no matter what I'm a bit stuck - but in the end I've managed to get them used to being strapped, buckled, twisted, and fussed over....

[Camilla and Darwin]

We use a collar for Darwin, but we also have an Easy walk harness that really helps with pulling, it's quite amazing.

[Karen, Riley & Cooper]

We keep a soft cotton collar on both dogs all the time. They're embroidered with their name and our phone number (one is even reflective - "just in case").

For our 7 month old puppy, who can be quite a puller we've had wonderful success with the Freedom No Pull Harness.
http://2houndswholesale.com/No-Pull-Harness/
Of course Riley has already eaten through two of them!

[F, Calla & Luca]

My dogs always wear rolled leather collars with their tags on it. For walks we use Herm Sprenger prong collars which I love" but you doodle is too young for that yet.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Recently, someone recommended a prong collar that is hidden behind an attractive fabric collar, so that people seeing it don't react negatively and assume that your dog is aggressive. I have searched, but can't find the suggestion and accompanying link. Can anyone help, please, in directing me to this reply? Thanks!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Found it!  Lola Limited | Lola's Unique Dog Collars & Leashes LLC

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Lola's - that is it.  We got it for our Springer and love it.  Here he is wearing it.  The picture wasn't taken to show off the collar so it doesn't do it justice, but you can see that it looks like any other martingale.

[John Wang]

We've had our puppy for just over a week now, and he always wears a collar. When we go outside just to potty, we clip his leash onto his collar to make sure he doesn't run away. When we go for walks, we put on his harness to keep him from stopping and getting distracted. Tugs here and there ensure he knows he has to follow us. He never tries to run in front  unless he gets excited. The harness works well for reining him back in to face us whenever he does so. It's worked wonders in the last few days as he hardly puts up a fuss. Though it's hard to get him out the door sometimes!

To get him to stop biting the leash we're going to leave him clipped to the leash while he's inside. At some point he'll get bored of it (we hope) and we'll move onto having him clipped into the harness+leash to get used to it as well.