Can you teach a dog not to pull with a harness

Absolutely – but harnesses aren’t magic. Picture your enthusiastic Labrador straining toward a squirrel while his collar digs into his throat. Switching to a front-clip harness (like Ruffwear or Balance designs) is step one. These harnesses use physics: when your dog pulls, the chest attachment gently turns their body sideways, making forward motion awkward. This creates teachable moments for loose-leash training – but only when paired with positive reinforcement techniques.

Start with pre-walk prep: clip the harness indoors 10 minutes before leaving, rewarding calmness with chicken bits. The golden rule? The instant leash tension starts, freeze completely. Only resume walking when slack returns. For city dwellers, practice in apartment hallways: reward slack leashes past neighbor doors and position dogs against elevator walls. When passing distractions, toss treats behind you to redirect focus without force.

Crucially, training never overrides compliance. Your dog’s collar (bearing legally required rabies tags) must stay beneath the harness. Always clip EPA-approved waste bags to your harness D-ring – Seattle fines exceed $300 for uncollected debris. Respect ≤6-foot leash laws; retractables violate most urban ordinances.

Persistent pulling? Rule out medical issues like hip pain first. Remember: harnesses protect tracheas but don’t replace training. Daily 5-minute "red light/green light" drills build skills: stop at tension, resume at slack, reward with premium treats. Within weeks, your formerly pulling Husky can trot calmly past Brooklyn food trucks – proof that ethical training and community responsibility walk paw-in-paw.