Halter or collar

[Mai Tai]

I was wondering what you all use, a halter or a collar?  I have heard that halters make dogs want to pull more, but a collar can be hard on the small breed's neck.  What do you guys recommend?  Thanks for any input

[eepuni]

I would suggest getting a halter/harness for your shorkie, because with smaller dogs, and shih tzu/shih tzu mixes in particular, their trachea is a shallower "U" shape, and a thin membranous layer closes off the rest of the "U" shape.

With a collar, when the dog pulls on the leash, the collar will cause the dog to choke because that membranous layer is pulled to the back and closes off the trachea.  However, with a harness this problem is avoided and while the dog may pull a little more, it is better than them choking from every little pull.

If you are very concerned about the pulling aspect, I have seen harnesses where the leash attaches to the front of the harness, on the chest of the dog rather than the traditional back-leash-attachment.  I think this will discourage the dog from pulling more because when it pulls forwards, the force of the pulling will pull the front of the dog back around to face you (similar to a head collar for bigger dogs).

[Ann]

Harness is great but if you wish to train your dog you will have to need to get a halty wich is a head collar. They don't like it at first but if you persever they get used to it.

[Mai Tai]

That harness with the clasp in front sounds like a great idea.  I don't want you to think I am nuts for worrying about pulling.  I know it would put me in no danger, as it would if we had a big dog, but I want to train the puppy to walk at my side and not pull ahead.  I watch Cesar Millan a lot and he says if your dog walks ahead of you, he will not respect you as pack leader, which can lead to a whole host of problems.  A halty (Spelling?) sounds good too.  They recommend choke chains at some obedience classes, but I think that is not good for these small dogs with the trachea you describe.  Thanks for all of the input.  I really appreciate it.  We get Mai Tai on Sunday, and I cannot wait.  Speak to me after a week of very little sleep, and I may be humming a different tune...LOL

[Chewbaccas Mommy]

I have a harness for Chewie and he doesn't pull when we walk him. Then again I am use to big dogs that pull was a lot harder. I would never think of using a choker on a little dog. My collie lab mix has a collar that is about 2 inches of chain and the rest is nylon. So when they pull they get a little bit of a pull back. They use the wrist movement when walking him if he pulls you  move your wrist and he will then walk right