Thoughts on Julius K9 harnesses?

Does your pup really pull, or is it just every now and then? You mentioned that he "sometimes pulls", so I’m guessing it’s only occasional, probably when he sees something tempting. In that case, it’s better to focus on training rather than trying to restrain him with a harness. Especially since your pup only weighs 17kg (about 37lbs) – that’s nothing at all. A properly fitted slip lead, positioned right behind the ears, and you’ll be able to control your pup very easily. There's no need to go looking for more complicated gear. It works for my dog, so with a puppy who isn't even 20kg (around 3 stone), you should be fine 😅. When my dog wants to have a go at the neighbour’s dog, I just need to make sure the slip lead is in the right spot and I can control him perfectly. If it’s in the wrong place, though, he’s like a steam train... 😅 Mind you, my dog weighs 70kg (about 11 stone), so with a 17kg (37lb) pup – which was my dog’s weight at 3 months – it shouldn't be hard to keep him under control and use it as a training opportunity. Especially with an Aussie; they’re the sort of dogs that are really focused on their owners. You just have to get through the "crazy puppy" phase, but I don't think you need to go looking for gadgets at the first sign of a problem. If the pup pulls occasionally, it’s no big deal; he just needs to be taught not to do it. He’s only 5 months old, so it’s a bit early to be looking at things like no-pull harnesses, which in my opinion are more for correcting bad habits than for initial training.

Thanks for your replies. I’ve seen some Y-shaped no-pull harnesses—what do you think of those? Many thanks.

Hi there, Julius-K9 harnesses aren't usually recommended for dogs that pull because they restrict shoulder movement, which can lead to skeletal issues and affect their natural gait. They’re more suited to dogs that are already used to walking to heel. A Y-front harness is ideal as it doesn't restrict movement for dogs that pull. :)

Hi there! Personally, we got one for our senior dog and he really liked it—it was very comfy. However, he had long, thick fur, whereas our second dog has short hair, so you’ve got to be careful it doesn’t cause any rubbing or irritation. You can definitely teach a dog to walk to heel whether they’re on a collar or a harness; you just need to adapt the training method to the individual dog. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, so just like us, you have to adjust and try different things. So I’d say yes, getting a harness for your puppy is a good idea. To be fair, they’re a bit of a trend right now, but if you like the look of it, there’s no harm at all! Just bear in mind that your pup is probably still going to grow a bit, so be careful not to buy one that he’ll outgrow too quickly. Lastly, I’d suggest comparing it with other harnesses; there are all sorts out there, and I actually think you can find better ones than the Julius K9s. It was perfect for my old boy, but a puppy might need something with more coverage and more padding, especially if they’ve got short hair or are still quite young, just to make sure they don’t get sore.

Personally, I think it’s sheer stupidity with an Aussie because you lose all that subtle contact you get with a short lead (or a slip lead). Aussies are incredibly sensitive to it as they’re always trying to figure out their owner’s intentions. They’re the easiest dogs in the world for walking to heel (on or off-lead, for that matter). So, I think it’s a mistake to just give in to the latest trend.