Can anyone recommend a good harness?

[Shari Becker]

Lexi's Puppia harness is falling apart, and I need to replace it. We bought it after her Lupine harness started irritating her skin. We've loved the Puppia because it's so soft, but it's not very useful for training. (I think it's too soft, actually). She's not huge (32 lbs), but she is very strong, and I'm quite petite. Sometimes when she gets very excited, I feel like I am really struggling to control her with a firm grip. A friend with a golden retriever recommended the Easy Walk. She said it was hugely helpful when her dog was a puppy. Has anyone tried that? I'm a little worried the straps will cut her skin the way the Lupine did. Would love any suggestions if you have 'em. (Also wondering if her skin may be tougher now that more adult fur has come in...)

[DonMarie and Picco]

I've been reading the EZ walk works well but it hasn't for me. But I've tried several harness and nothing else worked.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I know there are lots of Doodle owners who love the harnesses because it makes it easier to control the dog who is pulling.  My question is have you considered trying to train a good heel or "loose leash" walk as an alternative?  I think each person has to decide for themselves what works.  With the harness you gain better control over their body...but with training you are able to influence their mind.  I know I've got a bit of a bias here, but I'm just throwing this out as food for thought.

[Shari Becker]

Thanks Jane, you are correct that we need more mind training. It's been challenging for us to find a good trainer we can afford in our town, and I need to look in some nearby towns, but we've had lots going on personally. I try to watch videos online for tips and tricks, and we are working with her, but she has a ways to go. We live in a dense neighborhood, and the morning walk when all the families and their dogs are going to our local school is feeling a little scary right now because the sidewalks are so icy. So I think you are correct that we need to work on her mind, but we also feel like we need some body wrangling because all our sidewalks and roads are so treacherous.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Believe me I understand that....I feel like I take my life in my hands each time I walk my guys with the snow and ice covered roads and walks.  Spring is a much better time for loose leash walking training.

[charlotte bednarsh]

I totally understand what you are saying.  We live in NYC and crossing the icy streets with an 80lb doodle who has the energy and attention span of a two year old child is an exhausting challenge. The orthopedic surgeons must being doing really well this winter....that's all I have to say!  I keep telling Paz, "watch out for the ice because your mother (me of course) is a klutz."  I'm not sure if "watch out for the ice" is a legitimate command, but it should be!

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

I agree with Jane's comments about Loose leash walking. I also have a Freedom no pull harness. It has softer straps.

[Patti and Bosco]

Here is a good video on loose leash walking.  If you don't use a clicker (I always feel like I need three hands if I use a clicker) then mark the behavior with a Yes! or Good! and treat.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgtqgiAKoQ&list=PL4BBEA07626D902CF

I do like using the Freedom harness in conjunction with good training.  Just in case Bosco gets it wrong there isn't a pull on his neck.  We are working with a vet behaviorist right now and taking some of our lessons back to square one.  Loose leash walking being one of them.  So this week we are practicing in the house only.  Next week my husband Richard (who can handle an 85 pound dog better than I can) gets to practice loose leash walking on the driveway while I do one more week in the house.  The following week I get the driveway exercise and Richard gets to walk on the street.  

[charlotte bednarsh]

The Freedom harness is really good and the straps are lined in a soft material...I highly recommend it.

[Shari Becker]

Thanks everyone! I haven't ordered it yet, but I am getting the Freedom harness. Sorry for my delayed response.

We had a little bit of a dog crisis this week, and we're having a trainer come to our home tomorrow to help us get back on track. Lexi has apparently begun resource guarding, and something probably set her off to make her feel like she has to protect her space and her food. I am 100% confident the 'set off' was my younger daughter ... Thanks everyone.