We have two beautiful American Bulldogs. Angus is approx 85lbs & Gypsy Lu 65lbs. When we take them out on our property for walks they tend to pull very hard (at times) & I feel the collar or pulling of the leash puts too much strain on their necks. I know they are very strong breeds but I would prefer to prevent any damage to their necks if at all possible. Does anyone have a harness they suggest or prefer to use? Thanks so much!

um, none????

harnesses are designed to make it easier on the dog when he pulls. pulling is not good, ergo, harnesses are not the answer. You (hopefully) want the pulling to stop.

prong collar time, i think.....

Have you tried prong collars?

Prong Collars

Also, have you tried using high value food rewards and keeping the dogs attentions on you? Turning LOTS of corners helps to keep thier focus on you as well.

I use harnesses to encourage pulling in my trailing and tracking dogs. Not something I would recommend for stopping pulling at all.

I accidentaly replied to you about the prong collars on the wrong topic (my question about the "stars"). Oops. Do you have a prong collar you suggest or prefer?

Steffani, I see you're from Puyallup. Howdy from Tacoma.

Harnesses are designed to make pulling easier. You want your dogs to learn to pull politely. A prong collar will help get the point across.

Steffanie,

I find that brand doesn't particularly matter although I'm sure there are a few product recommendations for them around here. I know leerburg sells them.

If you do pick up one at a store make sure you play with the prongs and they are not warped in any way and that you can easily break them apart and put them back together again. We recently had a bad batch come into work and I had a heck of a time convincing the GM that we needed to send them back because they look so similar to ones that are fine but were completely useless to break apart and put back together without pliers.

Some of the cheaper brands of prong collars have sharp ended prongs, versus the rounded ends that Herm Sprenger makes. You don't want sharp ends on a prong collar. Herm Sprenger is the brand that Leerburg sells, link given above by Carol. Well worth getting. The quick release is good for people who have a hard time squeezing the prongs.

 Quote: steffanie lynn

I accidentaly replied to you about the prong collars on the wrong topic (my question about the "stars"). Oops. Do you have a prong collar you suggest or prefer?

Herm Sprenger are the only ones that I use and I get them from LB. As Sandy Moore stated, well worth the money and they last forever.

do not get the cheap ones like sold at Petco and Petsmart.

 Quote: steffanie lynn

I would prefer to prevent any damage to their necks if at all possible.

LOL. For myself, I prefer to prevent any damage to my shoulder/arm if at all possible.

Sorry, that just hit my funny bone. And no, I'm not laughing AT you - my previous dog's neck was damaged by a choke chain, so I understand your concern, but I think an American Bulldog being walked on a flat collar would cause more damage to you than you cause to him.

A prong collar will not harm your dog's neck, won't choke him AND it will save your shoulder. My dogs still pull with a prong on but nowhere near as bad.

One warning about the Herm Sprenger - I purchased a smaller collar for my dogs (I think it was the medium size) along with extra links, so it would have more "teeth". My Catahoula Leopard Dog bolted one time (fortunately he had a backup collar on - MUST have one) and the HS collar popped off and was actually damaged from the force of the tug. The two "prongs" were pushed together and I had to use pliers to put them back in the proper position. To this day that collar will come apart more often than it should (I know, I should replace it).

Moral of the story - you MUST have a back up collar on your dog when you use a prong collar.