I adopted a 4-month-old golden retriever two weeks ago and honestly, walks are hell. He pulls like crazy, my arm hurts and I'm sure he's going to hurt himself too. I'm using a regular leash with a normal collar. Should I switch to a no-pull harness or is it just a matter of training?
A no-pull harness is definitely more effective than a regular collar with a puppy that pulls like that, but it's not magic either - you've gotta combine it with training. At 4 months he's got zero discipline yet, so start with short sessions where you reward him every time he walks without tension on the leash, even 5 seconds is worth taking. The harness is just gonna make things easier and less painful for you while he's learning, because with a regular collar a puppy that pulls hard can end up with trachea or shoulder problems pretty quick. Takes patience and consistency with this, it'll take a few weeks but it works.
Training is really the foundation, the no-pull harness just helps you manage things while you're teaching him. What works well at this age is rewarding him when he walks without tension on the leash - as soon as he stops pulling, give him a treat, even if he only let up for a second. With a 4-month-old Golden who's got energy, you've also got to ask yourself if you're giving him enough exercise before the walk, because a tired puppy pulls way less than an overstimulated one. And honestly, the harness will still take some strain off your arm anyway, so you might as well get it to avoid messing up your shoulder while you're waiting for patience to pay off.
Log into answer.
