Dog leashes and collars are one of the first things that owners purchase when bringing a new canine companion into the household.
There are a plethora of options out there at pet stores and online, but what leashes and collars are best for dogs that like to pull?
By Allison Salonko.
Allison is a Veterinary Technician in the state of Indiana. She graduated from International Business College and Vet Tech Institute of Indianapolis with a degree in Animal Science and Technology in 2011.
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That is a great question that many owners often ask veterinary professionals!
I’ve put together a list of the best leashes and collars for doggos that like to take us for a walk instead of the other way around!
4 Best Leashes For Dogs That Pull
The leash is an important part of going on a walk with your dog. It keeps them safe and by your side, ideally under control.
Sometimes though, we have an excited, strong or rambunctious dog that wants to stay ahead of the pack, they may even drag you from one place to the next.
These 4 recommended leashes are a great option for those of us that need a little more control of our dogs that pull.
#1 BAAPET Strong Dog Leash With Comfortable Padded Handle
BAAPET Strong Dog Leash With Comfortable Padded Handle
This thick, durable leash is rock climber quality with reflective threads for safety at night.
The padded handle is comfortable in your hand and offers a sturdier grip on the leash for those eager pullers.
The clip is also heavy duty, giving you peace of mind for even the strongest dogs. You can find this leash in 4 different lengths, giving your dog more or less freedom when on walks.
They also make the BAAPET leash in a variety of colors. 10, as of February 2022, to be exact!
FunTags Reflective Nylon Dog Leash With Soft Padded Handle
This traditional dog leash may not look like anything special, but it’s exactly what any owner needs.
It’s durable, long lasting and is ideal for training and walking with strong, pulling dogs.
This leash comes in a variety of colors, 2 different lengths and also has reflective material that provides some safety when walking at night.
The soft padded handle is a nice addition, as dogs that have a tendency to pull can sometimes hurt your hand.
#3 VIVAGLORY 2 Handled Heavy Duty Dog Leash
VIVAGLORY 2 Handled Heavy Duty Dog Leash
The VIVAGLORY leash is convenient for owners that have strong dogs that like to pull thanks to its double handled design. It’s important having a second handle further down the leash for added control.
Even a small owner walking a big dog will have a lot more power and control over their canine when they have a second handle to hold onto.
This brand offers their leash in a variety of 8 colors and several lengths and widths for different breeds.
#4 Lynxking Dog Slip Leash
Lynxking Dog Slip Leash This leash is quick and convenient to use as you just slip it over your dog’s head and out the door you go!
It is made out of a braided material, making it strong and long lasting, even with the hardest pullers.
If you are having a hard time walking to your eager pup, all you have to do is stand still and the leash will go taut, causing your companion to stop pulling.
This leash comes in a variety of colors and lengths for any aesthetic of breed size.
3 Best Collars And Harnesses For Dogs That Pull
If you’re still struggling to control your happy dog when you go on your walks around the park or neighborhood, then you should look into finding a different collar for your companion.
Once you have an appropriate leash for your strong doggo, you can find the ideal collar for them too.
Below are the 3 best recommendations of collars for dogs that pull.
#1 PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar
PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar
This no-pull collar is the highest recommended collar by veterinarians. It is great for the owners and the dog!
The Gentle Leader by Petsafe fits in a way that redirects unwanted behaviors like pulling, lunging and jumping.
Not only that, but no more gagging and coughing from pulling on the leash and collar, because the Gentle Leader applies pressure to the back of the head and the nose instead of the throat.
You will have your eager puller trained with better leash manners in no time with this highly recommended and rated collar!
#2 PetSafe Easy Walk No Pull Dog Harness
PetSafe Easy Walk No Pull Dog Harness
Another excellent design by PetSafe, the Easy Walk Harness is another vet favorite.
I use the very same one for my own dog!
The leash clips at the front of the chest so that instead of pulling you, they are steered in your direction.
Pulling, lunging and jumping is no fun with this fabulous walking harness, so training your dog to have better leash manners will be easy peasy!
#3 PetSafe Adjustable Martingale Collar With Buckle
PetSafe Adjustable Martingale Collar With Buckle
PetSafe really knows how to make excellent collars and harnesses for dogs that pull.
This martingale style collar is one that is much safer than any chain or prong collar, it will tighten when they pull and loosen when they stop.
Not only are they great for minimizing pulling but they are also an ideal collar for dogs that have bigger necks that they do heads or if they are prone to backing out of their collars and escaping.
The martingale design should tighten and keep them from being able to slip right out.
FAQ’s About Leashes And Collars For Dogs That Pull
Are slip leads good for dogs that pull?
Slip leads are perfectly fine for dogs that pull, as long as they eventually stop pulling.
Most dogs will back off on pulling too hard when they feel like lead tightening on their neck.
However, some dogs will continue to pull, eventually choking themselves or causing damage to their throat.
Are martingale collars good for dogs that pull?
The martingale style collars (read more about what are Martingales) are one that I like to recommend to owners when they have a dog that pulls.
These are especially great when your dog is young and you are initially teaching them leash manners.
This type of collar is nylon, not metal, and will tighten gently when your dog pulls on the leash.
When they stop, it quickly loosens up.
The difference between these and other collars that tighten when they pull is that this won’t cause damage to their throat or cause gagging and coughing.
Are prong collars good for dogs that pull?
I do not recommend prong collars. At all.
You won’t hear many veterinarians recommending them either and that’s because they can be dangerous emotionally and physically to your dog.
When these collars aren’t fitted properly (99% of the time the owner doesn’t know how to use them) they can cause damage to your dogs skin and trachea.
Not only that but they are linked to depression and other negative associations with the prong collar and going on the leash or walk.
They also don’t change their behavior by teaching a dog anything since the collar is always poking them.
Basically they learn nothing and it hurts them.
Are flexi-leashes good for dogs that pull?
Unless you have a small dog or one that is bigger but extremely well-behaved on a leash, you should NOT use a flexi-leash.
It’s actually a joke in the veterinary community about how much we dislike these leashes.
They allow for dogs to have far too much freedom, oftentimes putting them or other pets in danger.
Not only that, but it is extremely difficult, no matter how big and heavy duty the flexi is, to control a dog that is pulling.
These leashes should only be reserved for little dogs or dogs who have excellent leash manners already.
Photo by: Frankie.