Harness for a DDB?

[A17gela]

Hi there, I'm new here and was after some advice...
Our DDB is just over a year and is quite a lump! We live out in the sticks where walking him on a collar is fine but as soon as we are in public, I just can't keep control of him and he's testing my other half too. He loves other dogs and just wants to go say hi - not aggressive at all!
So I looked on the net and got him a dogmatic. It was like a miracle! No pulling - amazing! It doesn't rub his eyes at all and he can open his mouth but... I think he'd like to open his mouth more when panting and he's not overly keen on it. I worry that if another dog went for him, he wouldn't be able to protect himself... Also - I feel it makes people think he's dangerous.
When he was a puppy we put a harness on him but his breeder saw a pic and told us it could dislodge his muscles and we shouldn't use a harness.
After all that waffle... My questions are:
1) can DDBs wear a harness safely?
2) do they help with pulling or just give the pup more power?
3) if they're great - can anyone recommend a good one?
Many thanks
Angie (and Brogan *)

 

[Dreadz]

Generally harnesses encourage pulling by transferring any pressure onto a much more sturdy and larger area. There are harnesses that claim to prevent pulling but how effective they are I cannot say.
You may be better off with the headcollar you already have but I know many people find martingale (half check/choke) or prong collars the most effective way of controlling their dog. Whichever collar you use though ultimately it's a case of training and finding a way to bring the dogs attention back to you and you then taking the dog where you want them to go, not vice versa.

 

[PrinceLorde13]

I agree some form of corrective collar would most likely be a better idea, the harness does encourage pulling from what I've seen and this can lead to strain and injury, the placement of the collar is very important as well you want it high on the neck like right behind the ears and under the chin with the connect part on top, if it sits too low on the neck this can also encourage pulling