Originally posted 3-15-18
Pulling is a hot topic with most of my clients. Dogs pull for many reasons including their breed (I’m speaking to my Huskies), to greet other dogs or people, to smell something interesting, the pulling has been reinforced (allowed), etc. Because of these reasons, training and the proper equipment are vital to ensure politeness on leash.
Dogs have a natural reflex to oppose certain pressure. If you push, they push back. If you pull, they will pull back. In a nutshell, that is opposition reflex. In regards to pulling on leash, most dog’s will pull against the leash. Dogs may even pull through the pain to get what they want. Because of this reflex, some trainers and individuals immediately go to the quick fix of prong, choke, or shock collars. Don’t get me wrong, they are effective but at what cost?
As previously discussed in another post, there is no product on the market that will stop a dog from pulling. If there is a guarantee, don’t believe it. Turn and run! However, there are products available to help minimize pulling with the assistance of training. I am an authorized seller of the Freedom No-Pull Harness. I am a firm believer in the product. From a trainer’s perspective, it eliminates the majority of my concerns in a front-clip harness. The Freedom No-Pull Harness is a front-clip harness that eliminates neck strain and the ability to back out of the harness.
When considering a product, look at all of the factors. Is it painful for your dog? Will they fear you? What is being reinforced? How effective is the training method? Below is an article about the irreversible damage prong, shock, and chain collars can cause to your pet: