At one time or another, most owners have come across a dog that likes to pull hard on the leash, dash off on his daily walk, and drag you along at a knotty pace.

If this sounds familiar to you and you want to correct this behavior, there are a few things to consider before purchasing a walking aid of any description.

Many dogs will pull on the leash for two main reasons. First of all, their excitement and enthusiasm increase when they go for a walk. As soon as they walk out the door, they are greeted with a plethora of smells and are eager to explore.

Second, a dog is likely to pull more on the leash because he wants to gain balance. Basically, there’s a tugging sensation on the leash to bring them back and they just pull harder to go in the direction they want to go.

One solution for a dog that is a little too enthusiastic is to get a non-pulling dog harness. This can be a fairly sturdy harness that fits over your chest and torso and has a number of useful features.

• A leash attachment in the usual place between the dog’s shoulder blades.
• Another accessory at the front of the harness to train your dog to walk beside you.
• A short handle on the back of the harness helps you handle sticky situations, like when another dog is bothering you or getting into a car.

The front attachment is the key to how the harness works. If you attach a leash to this metal ring, your dog will be corrected in a side-to-side motion rather than front to back. This means that they will not feel the need to create that balance because any attraction or drift will stop by drawing them to you instead of drawing them to you.

Training your dog to walk “properly” and not pull on the harness can take time and a lot of patience, depending on the animal’s personality and size. It is important to have some rewards when your dog calmly walks and to pull back firmly but carefully on the harness with an accompanying command when he begins to forget you are there and begins to move forward.

You should use the harness to prevent your dog from pulling from the moment you put it on and start walking for the first time. That way, the no-pull dog harness is on par with walking properly while out with you.

Here are some more tips to encourage your dog not to pull on the leash:

For the first few times you’re out in the non-pulling harness, be sure to choose a time when there are few distractions for the dog so he can focus on the behavior to be corrected.

Don’t pull too hard on the harness, keep it steady and give a command when you do.

Keep the strap shorter than normal but never too tight.

Allowing your dog to pull reinforces the pulling behavior, so it makes sense to commit to having him walk politely and calmly by your side.

Try concerted operant conditioning, which simply means that you reward your dog for good behavior until that behavior is ingrained enough not to require a reward at all. This can be a small dog treat or just give your dog a scratch behind the ear and a little fuss.

Above all, find what works for your dog. Just like humans, dogs have their own personalities and quirks. What works for one may not have any effect on another. For example, some trainers recommend stopping when the dog starts pulling on the leash and waiting for him to come back to you, although many owners attest that this doesn’t work at all.

Getting the right no-pull dog harness for your dog is just as important as putting in the training. You need something that is comfortable and durable and that is easy to put on and take off. If you are going out at night with your dog, then a harness with reflective patches or strips is also important if you want to be safe and seen at all times.