What is better for a puppy: halter or neck collar?

[Marion Carmickle]

Riley came to us with a regular collar. We are trying to use a leash with her but she always ends up with it in her mouth and chewing it and won't budge. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Adina P]

It just depends on what you prefer. At 12 weeks I wouldn't expect her to walk far on leash. It all feels so odd to them...suddenly a thing around their necks, this dangly long thing they are attached to. You can spray the leash down with Bitter Apple first so she won't want to lick it or just let her drag it around the house (while you supervise) to get used to the feel of the drag and what it's like to wear a leash.

When you say halter are you referring to a head halter like the Gentle Leader or a harness?

[Marion Carmickle]

To be honest, I am not familiar with the Gentle Leader...I think I am referring to a harness....I think I will try just letting her drag around with her while I watch. It has been 13 years since we have had a puppy (we lost our beloved 13 yr old Chili in the spring) so I am glad to have some suggestions!

[Susan Halloran]

I use a halter...they have two different kinds..the typical kind is the leash latches on the top of the puppies back the other is called a soft harness and the leash latches on the front of the puppies chest this prevents the puppy from pulling you. I trained by doodle on the soft harness...she is 7months old and weighs 70lbs i definately would not be able to control her if she was pulling me down the street. The exact name of the product is "Gentle Leader Easy Walk" I recommend this. They sell them at pet smart, pet food express etc. let me know how it works.

[Tamara & Giada]

Congratulations on your new puppy! sorry for the loss of your older dog:(

What ever you choose it will take some adjustment for her, and most of what you are discibing will fade with exerience and maturity:)

[Richard Crowe]

I alway use a neck collar. I let a puppy drag a short lead around until the pup gets used to it. As Adina does, I use some bitter apple at the end of the lead so the puppy doesn't mouth it. I don't use the lead as a correction until the pup is older and bigger, but by the time for "real" training, the pup is already used to a lead.

[Louise and Toby]

Not sure if this is the same issue or not but we had trouble with at one point because Toby would jump up and grab the leash (nylon) pretty close to our hand. It turned into frustration and a battle we did not want to fight because he was winning. Finally, I got the idea to use a metal chain leash which he did not like in his mouth. Ahhh, that battle was over never - to return.
I like Christina's ideas too and also maybe the toy in the mouth idea would work. I would use the neck collar.

[Marion Carmickle]

You all are amazing...we tried the "treat, yes, yes" with the lead and she is actually walking with it...I can't believe it. We definitely need to be consistent with this because she is starting to understand that ringing the bell to go outside means a leash and going potty. Thanks to everyone and I will keep you posted...these doodles are so smart that it is scarey:)

[Stephanie]

I would have to agree with some of the others and say a normal neck collar is the best way to go (IMO). This is because as your pup grows...she will obviously grow much stronger, and more than likely, stronger than you. If this is the case you don't want anything that gives her extra "pulling power" as the harnesses do. Anything that wraps around her chest/body will just give her the ability to not only pull with her neck, but the rest of her body as well. Not a good idea if she is not yet trained...which I am guessing is the case if she's not used to a collar or leash yet. Good luck!!!

[Tricia Campbell]

I was using a neck collar on Duffy til last
Thursday when we went to our first training
class. The Trainer fitted Duffy with the easy
walker & it made a world of difference.

[Marion Carmickle]

Tricia: Is this Duffy's first class? Riley starts her training on Sept. 4; the trainer may make a similar suggestion. Thanks for your reply.