Hi all, our two staffies are still pulling a little (primarily when we first set out on the walk), but they do tug as we continue on the walk, especially if he sees another dog!

At present they are both on chockers, however the lad is getting red marks under his chin and the girl has a nasty scab on the back of her neck from it pinching her.

We have tried the over nose halti, however he whips that off when he sees another dog, and she has difficulty breathing on long walks when she has it on.

I am intending to walk her on a harness (which has padding under the arms as she does get little sores there). We are thinking of getting him a harness as well, we would have gone for the across chest halti, but as often there is one of us walking the two of them, I think they will be impractical (I think you need 2 leads per halti).

Basically, has anyone got any suggestions for a good harness (or whatever) for staffies that pull....

I sell these harnesses which come in a range of colours and are really comfy: I still have some stock at the original prices, as I think Snugglepets have upped there prices recently.



http://www.snugglepets.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19_20

http://www.snugglepets.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19&zenid=0dd8a1bf7bc63abb6aab884dea73988f

They look good, really hate them having sore skin from something they enjoy so much!

Unsure what size they would need as he is a big lad (very fat neck!) and I think she is probably normal size, although she looks small compared to him.

Where should I measure them to check which harness size would be best for them?

Full chokers really are the worst thing any dog can wear - we've had one lock up on Brude, leaving him gasping for air, and our only option was to pray and yank it tighter to release it... he's never wearing one of those again (except a smooth show one which won't lock)

Half checks work well on staffies, as with many other breeds, but you have to know how the dog should wear one. IF a dog had an adam's apple, it should be above this and up close behind his/her ears, not low down the neck, which means the dog walks at your heel and not out in front. Basically this causes a gag reaction if the dog tries to pull, but won't damage the windpipe, whereas wearing ANY collar lower down can cause bruising to the windpipe. Once the dog knows how the collar works, the sound of the links clicking through the loops is usually enough to halt any pulling, without actually reaching the gag point. Hair doesn't seem to catch in them the same way as with full chokes either

Thanks Strix, we are going to walk them down to Jolleyes at Meadowhall Retail park and try some different harnesses etc on in there (if they permit), and hopefully get some advise from them as well.

With the halti you don't have to have two leads. You can buy a halti lead which is double ended so you only hold one lead and you sort of hold it in the middle and the two ends clip to the harness (designed for use with the halti harness although I use them as they're fab for all sorts of things - tethering, clipping around my waist etc).

Alternatively I know a few people who also have more than one dog and experienced the same problem so they only clip the lead to the chest and say that this works fine. I can't say I've tried doing this but the few people who have told me about it says the other clip on their back isn't entirely necessary if you don't have enough hands!

Alternatively, the dogmatic is much harder to get off the nose than the halti and doesn't ride up so is supposed to be more comfortable. It also comes in leather or webbing and even comes in patterns! :lol:

I use a walkezee on Takara but she doesn't really pull it's only every now and again she'll give a little tug and because she's strong and I walk three of them I'd rather she was on something just in case! I have used the walkezee with other dogs that do pull and it does work, but have never tried it with a staffy. I have a feeling it's better for dogs that do a sudden tug than dogs that pull constantly.

There is also the wacky walk'r lead which is an elasticated very strong lead which absorbs the shock of the pull by extending but then contracting again and, despite it seemingly going against all the theories of dog training, it seems to work!

Good luck! I find it's often a case of trial and error.

I sell these harnesses which come in a range of colours and are really comfy: I still have some stock at the original prices, as I think Snugglepets have upped there prices recently.



http://www.snugglepets.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19_20

http://www.snugglepets.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19&zenid=0dd8a1bf7bc63abb6aab884dea73988f

They're really nice harnesses, I have them for the two older dogs but I have to say, they don't help with their pulling at all really. I mean, they work in the sense that they're more comfortable so if the dog is pulling because the collar is uncomfortable then they work, but if the dog is pulling because they want to pull... or they want to get to something then they really don't help at all.

I don't know if they might encourage a dog such as a staffy to pull because bull breeds will pull into something moreso than other breeds.

Thanks Lotti, I think we will be offering various harnesses to pet rescue centres in a few weeks!!

Just as an aside, the little one often likes to chew at her lead in a "delightful" playful manner. This happens rarely, but frequently enough to result in us buying chains for them both. Is the Halti lead pretty sturdy?

I think that I'll try to compile a little review of all the methods we use and pop it on this post, as it may help others!!!

Ha... yes the halti leads are most definitely chewable. As my newest pup has decided to make a point of. I also do know a staffy who's gone through hers! (That's why her owner now walks her on a normal lead and just attaches it to the front D Ring!)

However, you could try dipping the lead in vinegar, it sounds vile, it'll smell and it will probably make your hands smell too, but it sometimes works to deter dogs from chewing at it!

Think our first step will be the Halti harness, with a chain lead on the chest ring....will be picking the leads up at the weekend, so fingers crossed!

Good luck!!