I’m taking my German Shepherd for a 3-week board and train next week, he is strong and goes nuts when he sees another dog. I haven’t tried using a harness in the past, can you recommend one for him?

Full Question:

I’m sending my 3 yr old GSD to training at a training facility next week for three weeks. I am told that they use e collars and prong collars which I have no problem w/. Just wondering since I have not tried a harness and I see you have quite an array. Maybe this question is premature but do you have a suggestion from your line of products? He’s super athletic and very strong and goes nuts when he sees another dog on walks. I feel much safer walking w/ him than by myself but to what end? ;)

Cindy's Answer:

Harnesses encourage pulling so I never recommend them for dogs that have a pulling problem or for dogs that show reactivity to other dogs. A harness will give him lots of power to pull and you will have virtually no control. I would speak to the trainers you will be paying to work with your dog about equipment when you take him there.

We do offer a lot of harnesses for training dogs to do protection work for sport and police, it encourages the dog to pull and builds frustration for what you are holding them back from. That's not the equipment I'd suggest for most adult German Shepherds unless they already had impeccable loose leash walking and manners.

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