Does a dog harness harm the dog?

I use a harness on my two dogs. they are just fine. I like them

Different harnesses would be used for agitation work and for tracking. For walks you need to use a training collar on an untrained dog. Ideally, you are going to train the dog not to pull but you said you're not having success. You have to succeed so keep trying. Use the reversing direction method and the be a tree method. I assume you know what those are since you've been trying. Use a command like "no pull" or "slow" when using those methods and pronounce them when you reverse or stop. When the dog starts to "get it" (like when he consistently slacks off following a stop) you can introduce corrections for pulling. Give him the command and if he doesn't slack off, pop the leash.

If he doesn't ever stop pulling despite you stopping for a while, you need to get his attention by popping the collar until he knocks it off. You don't want to pull on him. Remember that it takes two to pull. If he pulls, don't pull back: pop.

I recommend Herm Sprenger prong collars. At 4 months I started my dog on a small size. At 6 months he wears a medium. You didn't say how big your dog is. Get a size based on a ball park fit and then remove links to make it fit properly. Search or ask how to fit a prong collar.

A harness would do the opposite of a prong collar - it would encourage pulling rather than discouraging it. But you should learn to train the dog with a method that makes it clear what you want him to do, then reinforce it with corrections when necessary.

Any tool, if it is used incorrectly, can be harmful for the dog. If the harness is fitted properly, it will not cause any pain to the dog at all. What breed is your dog? If he/she is pulling, maybe you could look at some of the training tools to stop dogs from pulling (head collars [most effective, but some dogs find them irritating and try to take them off, and they arent suiting to dogs with short muzzles ie. boxers, shih tzu etc]), stop pull harnesses [there are a few different varieties of these that all work in different ways, its a matter of finding the one that works best for your dog), check chains (I don't recommend these as I don't find them to be as effective as head collars or harnesses) and martingale collars.

BRAND

How it works

PROS

CONS

STANDARD DOG HARNESS (any brand/style)

Regular body harnesses with a ring on the BACK of the harness between dog’s shoulder blades

Easy to use

Readily available

Many styles available

Helps protect the neck area in small breeds.

CON-

Provides MORE leverage for a pulling dog.

A harness is actually better for the dog than a collar. Our vet has recommended them for our dachshunds for years.

Imagine, for a minute, that you are wearing a collar, and when the person leading you decides to correct your behavior, you get a sharp tug around your neck. Whiplash, and a bit of a headache.

Now imagine you are in a harness. When your leader pulls on you, your whole center is controlled. You do not choke.

Which would you rather wear?

Harnesses are horrid, but not harmful. They teach the dog to pull harder as they can throw their whole bodyweight into it. Think of Huskies and Malamutes pulling a sled. They are in harnesses. The only ok harness is a no-pull harness that tightens when the dog pulls.

Try a prong collar or check chain and enroll the pup into obedience classes.

No..maltese dont have that kind of strength... The only thingh would be maybe a teddy bear... If you want a dog that CAN do that kind of work i suggest you adopt a german shepherd or a siberian husky or an alaskan malamute. I just adopted an alaskan malamute and ive had a siberian husky since she was a pup. Trust me they are very intelligent loyal strong and fun loving dogs. Hope this info helps :)

It is no harmful because i learned from this tv show Ceaser Milon that it might look painful but the dog is doing it himself for puling and a harness only covers he body( meaning you tug and the boddy making it easierto pull him back more) not the neck i recommend you se a harness safer for the dog :) and don't worry your t choking him or anything do't be afraid. :)

Harnesses are better, especially for small dogs. You don't want to hurt their tiny necks. You are strangling his neck.

Really, get a harness... it is SO much better.

Also, you can ask your vet, or just call one, if you don't have a main one and ask.

I always used harnesses for my dogs. never had them choke on a harness.