Quote:
Originally Posted by gsdraven
Leash Walking Ahimsa Dog Blog
Pretty good article on loose leash walking and how to work through it and why a no-pull harness is a tool to use while training not to pull.
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This is a great article. I also want to share a very simple, easy-to-follow video that I really like:
It covers the basics of training loose leash walking in a clear way, with demonstrations.
Using a no-pull harness or a headcollar is very useful if you're struggling to control your dog, but if you just throw it on them and don't train them, then you're right that it won't teach them anything.
It's just a tool to help you train your dog without physical struggle, or to allow you to take the dog necessary places (like if you have a vet appointment before you get this training solid) without the dog practicing pulling on you.
Legal or not, I would not recommend a prong collar to someone who is presumably training their first puppy (judging by your age) and working without a trainer. I have no problems with them when they're used correctly, but I think that can be difficult to learn without an experienced person teaching you, and used incorrectly they at best don't teach the dog anything, and at worst can lead to behavioral problems and physical injury. No-pull harnesses have little risk of injury (headcollars can cause injury if your dog bolts and hits the headcollar at high speed, pulling him around by the head, which is part of the reason many trainers I know recommend no-pull harnesses instead) and it's hard to have much user error with them.
