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Dog Training Article: Comparison of No-Pull Dog Training Aids
Dog Training Article: Comparison of No-Pull Dog Training Aids
By Jess Rollins
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No device is a substitute for training your dog! Click for our article on how to teach your dog to walk nicely on the leash.
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No Pull |
Example Brands** |
How it Works |
Pros |
Cons |
Our Rating* |
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Front Attachment Harnesses
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SENSE-ible Freedom Walker |
When the dog pulls, pressure is applied along his chest and shoulders, which turns him back towards you and makes pulling less productive. |
Effective in reducing pulling for most dogs. Dogs that do not mind wearing a harness will not mind these. Easy to put on. |
Can cause chaffing if not fitted properly. Dogs can slip out if not fitted properly or a back up collar is not used. |
9 out of 10 for the Easy Walk and Halti Harness. The Freedom Walker has nice features but we did not find it as effective as the Easy Walk and Halti. |
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Head Collars or Head Halters
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Halti Snoot Loop Canny Collar NewTrix |
Since the leash is attached to the dog's nose, when the dog pulls, it turns his head back toward you similar to the way a horse's halter would. |
Best for very strong pullers and aggressive dogs since it gives trainer control of the head. |
Takes some training for most dogs to get comfortable wearing it. It seems possible that a dog could strain his neck if he were to pull into a head collar very hard. (We recommend using head collars with no longer than a 6 foot leash). |
8 out of 10 for the Premier and Comfort Trainer |
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Harnesses that put pressure on the front legs (difficult to find)
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DreamWalker ProStop Harness |
When the dog pulls, a cord constricts across the dog's front legs which makes it difficult for him to continue to pull. |
DreamWalker only: Effective and comfortable. Does not twist or turn dog to the side. Easy to transition the dog to walking nicely without the harness. |
Takes some time to do the initial fitting. DreamWalker is currently only one size which fits dogs 50 - 130 lbs. The ProStop does not stay positioned properly and so was not very effective in our testing. |
6 out of 10 for DreamWalker 4 out of 10 for ProStop |
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Bungee Leashes or Elastic Leashes or Shock Absorbing Leashes
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Snap-Back Bungee-Pupee Wacky Walkr |
When dog pulls, the leash expands thereby reducing the jolt of the dog hitting the end of the leash.
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Easy to use. Reduces the force of the dog's pull somewhat. Makes walks more pleasant as it reduces the force of tugs on the leash. |
May not teach your dog to stop pulling. Important to choose a leash with the right amount of tension so that your dog does not hit the end too quickly or become a doggy "sling shot". It can feel difficult to control your dog if you get a bungee with unlimited stretch or until you get used to how much it stretches. |
Rating depends on the quality of the bungee leash. We give the Xtreme Leash and Jerk-Ease a 6 out of 10. |
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Harnesses that apply pressure under the front legs or around the belly
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Sporn Harness Holt Harness Mendota EZ Trainer Lead Lupi Harness |
When the dog pulls, a cord or strap tightens around the belly or "armpits" causing discomfort or upward force to inhibit pulling. |
Pretty easy to put on and the dog doesn't generally mind wearing them. |
Doesn't seem to reduce pulling after the first few walks. There is nothing limiting the degree to which the cord can tighten, which we worry could injure a rambunctious dog. |
3 out of 10 |
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Choke Collar or
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When the dog pulls, a cord or chain tightens around the dog's neck which is unpleasant and discourages him from pulling. |
Dog doesn't generally mind having it put on. |
Can constrict to a dangerous degree and cause tracheal damage. Doesn't reduce pulling very effectively. |
1 out of 10 |
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Limited Slip Collar or Limited Choke Collar or
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When the dog pulls, a cord or chain tightens around the dog's neck which is unpleasant and discourages him from pulling. (When fitted properly the collar will not tighten down enough to choke.) |
Dog doesn't generally mind having it put on. Prevents escape due to backing out of the collar when properly fitted. Does not choke when properly fitted. |
Not very effective at reducing pulling in most dogs and puts a lot of pressure on the trachea if the dog pulls. Can be a good regular walking collar for dogs that do not pull or as a back up for a harness. |
3 out of 10 |
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Pinch Collar or
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Herm Sprenger Good Dog Collar |
When the dog pulls, points on the collar come together to pinch the skin on the neck causing discomfort and discouraging pulling. |
Dog doesn't generally mind having it put on. Effective at reducing pulling for most dogs. |
Most brands are difficult to take on and off. Can cause irritation to the neck area. Can break apart. Can make sensitive, fearful or aggressive dogs more fearful or aggressive. |
2 out of 10 |
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Noise Maker that Attaches to the Leash |
Wonder Whistle |
When the dog pulls it activates a whistle which discourages the dog from pulling. |
We like to use this product as a reminder to the *human* to stop walking so that the dog is not successful at moving you, which would reinforce pulling! |
Dogs don't generally find the whistle to be much of a deterrent. Dogs that are very sounds sensitive may find the whistle frightening |
6 out of 10 |
Is there a no-pulling product that you would like us to review? Contact us!
*Rating System:
1-10 with 10 being most effective at reducing pulling while being safe for the dog and easy to use. Items with a rating under 5 are not generally recommended by Pet Expertise.
**Note: if you wish to find out more about any of the products which are not available through Pet Expertise, simply Google the product names.
Of course no device is a substitute for training! Click for our article on how to teach your dog to walk nicely on the leash.
