Help Needed! My bully doesn’t like harnesses

[Sparky the Bullie]

We’ve always heard and been told that harnesses are much better than collars for bulldogs. And we have used 2 harnesses on my bulldog and he does not like them at all. He refuses to walk when we put him on a harness, especially with the leash on. We have to pull him really hard to make him walk every time. He walks much better with a collar. So any suggestions on how to train him to walk with a harness or any tips would be great! Or we should just be patient and he’ll eventually get used to wearing a harness. [emoji13]

His first harness, was not an expensive one

Refuse to walk

Then we bought him a Julius-K9 recently, same thing, refuses to walk

Thanking you all!

 

[Hankster]

So doggone cute though! And not that this would make a difference but it looks a little bit snug ?. And Hank is not fond of harnesses either and he Loves to walk but will walk really weird for a while even now when I put one on him. at first though, I put his julius on and let him choose to walk or not around the yard and house etc. so at least he got used to it being on and now he will walk he just prefers a collar

 

[1Chumly]

I would leave it on him during the day (supervised) until he is used to wearing it. Put his collar on just to take him for a walk, leaving the harness on. He will eventually accept it but we all know how stubborn they can be!

 

[sisters3]

SAME thing happened with Joey, she HATES HATES HATES the Julius harness but does great with this one, we're on our second one



Here is the link at Amazon if you are interested https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Dog-A..._rd_wg=aLh8k&refRID=RX31GGP1A34VF04HN295&th=1

 

[Cbrugs]

SAME thing happened with Joey, she HATES HATES HATES the Julius harness but does great with this one, we're on our second one

View attachment 111728

Here is the link at Amazon if you are interested https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Dog-A..._rd_wg=aLh8k&refRID=RX31GGP1A34VF04HN295&th=1

That harness looks like it would be perfect. I am not into the Julius K9 and I hate the one we have now. Did you get a large?

 

[1Chumly]

SAME thing happened with Joey, she HATES HATES HATES the Julius harness but does great with this one, we're on our second one

View attachment 111728

Here is the link at Amazon if you are interested https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Dog-A..._rd_wg=aLh8k&refRID=RX31GGP1A34VF04HN295&th=1

This is what we have for Monty. So soft, and washable. It doesn't help a great deal when he plants his feet and refuses to budge but then, nothing would! I just have to stand and wait until he decides to move again.

 

[Clermont]

I went through about 3, before I found the GES TACTICAL DOG TRAINING VEST, on amazon, works like a charm without choking no matter how hard he pulls.
check it out. I love it

 

[sisters3]

That harness looks like it would be perfect. I am not into the Julius K9 and I hate the one we have now. Did you get a large?

Yes, I just checked to be sure, the large is perfect for Joey.

 

[sisters3]

This is what we have for Monty. So soft, and washable. It doesn't help a great deal when he plants his feet and refuses to budge but then, nothing would! I just have to stand and wait until he decides to move again.

Oh right??? Joey is a STOPPER on walks too, we will be a block or two from home on our evening walk and she decides to plant her butt down and gawk at passersby

 

[Lalaloopsie]

Hi, your baby is incredibly cute! Harnesses are considered safer, as they don’t press on neck and dog cannot get out of it. My bulldog was ok with harness, but I noticed that his fur in his armpits looked shaved, and the problem persisted no matter how loose I made it. So I stopped using it and we use a collar, for 2 years already. But I must say my Tank is extremely obedient and he is not a big puller. Even if he wiggles out of collar when sniffing other doggie, he will come to me to put it back.
If you still want to get your dog used to harness, first of all you mustn’t pull him like on photo. Bulldogs are stubborn, get offence easily and have good memory, so if he will make association between harness and pulling, he will hate it more and more. And he will make walks difficult for you, as he has, you know, four legs and being more stable and closer to the ground he can pull better than you

To make harness a positive experience for him, put harness on just before you give him food. So he will associate it with good things. Then leave it on for the whole day on. And never pull him. I know, bulldogs sometimes are very irritating with their ideas that they want to take a rest when you need to run home in time to get dressed for work etc...but, it’s better to pick him up and carry for a while than to pull. They are very intelligent and manipulative dogs, and unfortunately for anything you want them to do or move somewhere you have to 1) bribe them with treats 2) give a lot of positive feedback 3) if cooperation isn’t achieved just give up or nonviolently move Bulldog from place to place using your hands.

 

[taytoD]

I don't have a harness recommendation, but just wanted to say he is sooo cute!

 

[helsonwheels]

Never pull a leash from the front as it will never work. Stick to the side and get a “small” leash. No need to have a long leash to train just yet. Leave a little leash drag along with him so he gets use to seeing it at his side. Do this in the house. Pick up the leash and walk then drop it again n repeat....use treats!!!

 

[Hankster]

ya know it seems like it's 'something going over their head' that bothers them. At least hank... He looks up at it like 'what is that' which is what distracts him from walking. with the collar, the lead falls downward so doesn't 'spook' him. Just a thought in which I'm going to 'test' this afternoon as well

 

[helsonwheels]

IMO, nothing worse than training any dog with a harness. Especially a bully where all the power sits in the chest. Harness are great once trained but I rather stick to a collar or choker IF you know how to use one. Small like that a collar n small leash will do for now. That’s my 2cents on harnessed pups.

 

[Sparky the Bullie]

So doggone cute though! And not that this would make a difference but it looks a little bit snug ?. And Hank is not fond of harnesses either and he Loves to walk but will walk really weird for a while even now when I put one on him. at first though, I put his julius on and let him choose to walk or not around the yard and house etc. so at least he got used to it being on and now he will walk he just prefers a collar

That’s a brilliant idea! Will try leave the harness on him around the house so he gets used to wearing a harness.