Collar or harness for new puppy?

[Emily Wazoloski]

Just trying to start off on the right foot and get our new puppy to be a great leash walker. I was thinking a harness to protect his or her throat. I see everyone loves the Gentle leader easy walk but is that too much for an 8 week old puppy? It will be a mini Australian Labradoodle.

Any suggestions on if a harness is ok for a little puppy and advice on which type would be great!

Thanks! 3 more weeks until we get our pup!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

 I think young puppies need to get used to a collar as they have to wear one all the time so start with that. You won't be needing a harness if this is what you choose until later and they grow so fast. The martingale collar is a good first walking option.  I remember the trainer on the Seaspray Breeders site in Florida using that in the videos there with very young puppies so do go take a look, they are so cute.  Good luck with your new puppy.  I found the clicker training videos on Youtube a great help too for a good start.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

I just watched the Seaspray Breeders videos...She has the most beautiful puppies.....Oh puppy fever go away!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You won't ever need a harness with a mini.  Easy Walk and Gentle leaders are for dogs who pull.  YOU are always in control of little dogs.  Do NOT NOT NOT use one of those retractable leashes.  Besides being dangerous, you will teach your pup not to be responsive to a leash.  Begin with a collar and leash.  Puppies are easy.  When we truly trained Ned we used a corrective collar but he does just fine with the regular ordinary collar.

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

The only time I used a Gentle Leader was for our big doodle.  With your mini, you shouldn't have any problem with just the leash.