Suitable collar / harness for a cocker spaniel puppy?

Tek81

Tek81

Tek81

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I'll be getting a cocker spaniel next week, but I'm not sure what's best to use for lead training; a harness or a collar. I've been told that they have a tendency to pull, so I'm thinking a harness might be best? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Cheers.
 
I've got a Cocker Spaniel and he's never seemed to stop pulling on the lead. Harness definitely makes it a lot easier to stop them pulling though
 
Delta3D said:
I've got a Cocker Spaniel and he's never seemed to stop pulling on the lead. Harness definitely makes it a lot easier to stop them pulling though
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Cheers. Might sound like a daft question, but would I have to get a puppy specific one or can harnesses be adjusted to fit depending on the size of the dog?
 
tek81 said:
Cheers. Might sound like a daft question, but would I have to get a puppy specific one or can harnesses be adjusted to fit depending on the size of the dog?
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Generally there are puppy specifics and size adjustable ones. I'd recommend getting a size adjustable padded harness.
 
Never had any issues with them, my two dogs have outgrown there puppy ones. The current ones are 4 years old and still going strong
 
Id never walk any dog in just a collar, their necks are far to delicate just like ours! A harness won't stop a dog pulling (but then don't reinforce the pulling from a young age and teach your puppy that being close to you is fun) but they're certainly better than a collar. Though depends which one you get. Best harness personally is the Perfect Fit harness or perhaps Ruffwear.
 
Harness v collar won't make much / any difference to pulling, though as the dog gets bigger if you are having issues a harness will make him easier to control and won't be constantly yanking at the neck.

If you get to a point where there is an issue then a nose lead used correctly will definitely make a difference, but start early and patiently and you won't have an issue.

I don't ever really use our Cockers harness anymore but that's mainly as he tends only to be on the lead either running beside me or for s few minutes then let off to cause mayhem in the park

We have some EZ Dog stuff and its decent enough
 
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Harnesses, just like for dray horses, allow the animal to pull a load (you) with minimal discomfort to itself. Don't allow the dog to pull, if it does correct it. If necessary use a choke chain. If the dog is big enough and aggressive or unruly enough to be a handful even on a choke chain then short term usage of prong collars can be appropriate (not for a spaniel....). Harnesses indeed, correct the thing, and don't let it pull you around and be a PITA to walk!
 
If you want to make it easier for the dog to pull, get a harness. There is a reason they put a harness on sled dogs, not a collar :D
We have a standard collar on our cocker-poo rescue. She pulled a lot when she was new, not any more :)
 
Dogmatic would be good - You need to start them early on it so they get used to it. I've found older dogs do not take too well to them sometimes.

If they dont get on with a dogmatic, then red dingo are pretty good, or the perfect fit harness is also very good.

Also it goes without saying, but regardless of what you are using, the only way to stop pulling is to train your dog to walk to heel :) (Which will not be achieved simply through use of a particular lead / collar / harness) - Cockers are generally very easy to train, so if you start off well you shouldn't have a problem.
 
I think I might get both a collar and a harness, more than likely from EZYdog. At least that way, I have another option.

BDEE said:
Dogmatic would be good - You need to start them early on it so they get used to it. I've found older dogs do not take too well to them sometimes.

If they dont get on with a dogmatic, then red dingo are pretty good, or the perfect fit harness is also very good.

Also it goes without saying, but regardless of what you are using, the only way to stop pulling is to train your dog to walk to heel :) (Which will not be achieved simply through use of a particular lead / collar / harness) - Cockers are generally very easy to train, so if you start off well you shouldn't have a problem.
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Its been almost twenty years since I last trained a dog. I'm really going to have to look at some tutorials, or even sign up to some obedience classes:D
 
The challenge you have is they are a very energetic and active breed of dog. Best to train them in the basics and then take them somewhere they can be off the lead. When you need them on the lead a normal shortish lead to the collar is best and they will eventually get used to it.

Just be careful not to set yourself up to fail and remember they are very active, energetic dogs so work with this not against it.
 
Oh my days! People suggesting the use of choke chains and prong collars... why not train the dog not to pull instead of using such aversive tools?

Also why are people suggesting headcollars for a puppy? Why not teach the puppy that really good stuff comes from their owner, thus they'll want to be close and engaged with you.

Please please sign up to puppy classes with a positive force free dog trainer.
 
You should be taking the dog for family walk. Not the dog taking you for a walk. The lead doesnt make a difference. The training does
 
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