You love your daily walks with your pooch for all the benefits they bring you both: they keep you fit, healthy, give you a good dose of vitamin D, and strengthen your bond as owner and animal. But if your pup has got into the habit of pulling on his leash, these daily walks quickly become a nightmare.

And a pulling dog is not only unpleasant, but it can also be dangerous. By dint of pulling, your dog’s leash could end up breaking and if this happens on a busy street, the consequences could be dramatic.

So, whatever your dog’s temperament or size, he should learn to walk alongside you and let himself be led obediently, without pulling like crazy. And it is possible, thanks to the anti-pull collars. But how do you make a well-informed choice among the myriad of collars available on the market?

Don’t worry; we’ve got your back! We’ve reviewed and selected the best, safe, and well-designed collars so you and your beloved dog can rediscover the joy of walking together.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 7 Best Collars for Dogs That Pull

1. PetSafe Gentle Leader No Pull Dog Headcollar – Best Overall

The PetSafe Gentle Leader Dog Headcollar is an incredible tool for quickly improving a pulling dog’s behavior. This collar was designed by a veterinarian and is also recommended by many trainers and veterinarians. It comes in five sizes and eight colors, although the design is very simple. But the important thing is that this halter gives results very quickly, almost immediately in some dogs. It’s worth a try, and its affordability is another big advantage of the PetSafe Gentle Collar.

However, it is very important for you to know that some dogs are resistant to anything that passes over their face or overhead, which could make it more difficult to adapt to this collar. Some dogs just can’t get used to it, no matter how long you spend desensitizing them. Nevertheless, while this dog collar won’t be right for all dogs, it will do a great job of preventing pulling for the majority of pooches.

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2. Starmark Pro-Training Plastic Dog Collar – Best Value

This prong & pinch collar type is not for everyone and it is not an everyday collar. It is intended for training purposes only, so you should never leave it on your dog when training classes are over.

That being said, the Starmark Pro-Training Plastic Dog Collar is effective in controlling your dog’s unwanted pulling behavior, but you also have to work with your dog. Simply putting this collar around his neck won’t do! However, it does provide effective control for obedience training and is softer than the collars made with metal spikes. Indeed, the soft plastic points are unlikely to cause your dog any pain in the process. Overall, it’s not the sturdiest collar out there, but its other benefits make it the best dog collar for pulling for the money we’ve found.

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3. 2-Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog – Premium Choice

2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog uses two different no-pull methods to help improve your dog’s walking habits. It offers a unique dual connection, where your dog is attached to the leash at the back of the shoulder blades as well as the front of the chest. This double point of contact allows you to exercise more control over your dog without causing him pain. It also features a martingale-style buckle, which places gentle pressure on your dog’s chest and ribs as he pulls, instead of putting pressure on his throat.

However, two drawbacks are that the leash tends to twist during walks and the harness may not withstand the energy of enthusiastic large dogs. This can cause it to break faster. However, this tool would be suitable for the majority of small and medium-sized dogs and will allow you to regain the pleasure of walking together quickly.

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4. PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Anti-pull Harness

PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Anti-pull Harness is a harness that makes walking much more comfortable for you and your dog. It was designed by a behaviorist veterinarian to respect the integrity and comfort of the dog. It’s easy to fit around your dog’s neck and chest and won’t cause pressure on their fragile throat when the animal pulls, unlike choke and prong collars. And since the strap that goes on the stomach is of another color, it makes it easier to put on.

However, although the material is made of durable nylon, it is not indestructible, and some particularly restless dogs may manage to break one of the harness straps by constantly biting it. Thus, as with any dog ​​accessory, it is important to introduce your pooch gently to this new collar to avoid unnecessary stress. This way, he is less likely to try to escape at all costs and break the straps by chewing on them.

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5. Country Brook Polyester Martingale Dog Collar

Country Brook Martingale Dog Collars are humanely designed to ensure the comfort and safety of your beloved dog. These affordable and stylish models gently tighten around the dog’s neck when he starts to pull, but without choking him or causing unbearable pressure on his throat. He quickly realizes that he needs to stop pulling on his leash, although some more stubborn dogs will take longer to obey.

However, the main problem with this collar is the lack of a buckle, which is a major drawback for many dog owners. Indeed, it is more complicated to put it on around your dog’s neck, especially if he is restless and does not like to have things passed through his head. Also, although the colorful designs are beautiful and machine washable, the color fades over time, making the necklace look dull and boring.

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6. Walk ‘n Train Polyester Dog Headcollar

The Walk ‘n Train Dog Headcollar fits like a normal collar but functions like a halter, releasing pressure on the dog’s throat. This type of design works great on some dogs, especially those that don’t have a problem with having a strap around their muzzle or head. Unfortunately, other dogs simply cannot tolerate this kind of halter with a noseband (which looks a bit like a muzzle) and you will have to use a lot of patience and training to reduce your pet’s anxiety around it. And that’s obviously not the goal you’re looking for, which is to get your dog to stop pulling on his leash quickly. However, this type of collar works wonders on some dogs, but you are the only one who knows his pooch well enough to determine whether this collar will be a good fit or not.

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7. PetSafe Nylon Martingale Dog Collar

The PetSafe Nylon Martingale dog collar is very inexpensive, made of durable nylon, and prevents dogs from backing out of it. It tightens when the dog pulls and loosens when the dog stops, making obedience training safer and more comfortable for your pooch. But this is not an everyday collar and should not be left on your dog at all times, especially not for tie-out use. The main reason is if your dog is left unattended and tied up, he could choke and injure himself from pulling on the leash while trying to escape. However, if you use this training collar correctly, you should get very good results. Be sure to measure your dog properly before deciding on the collar size though, as it doesn’t offer much wiggle room.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Collar for Dogs That Pull

There are certain features you should look for in a dog collar that pulls to ensure that it is safe and works as intended.

Material

A plastic collar will not be as durable and comfortable as a collar made of nylon or polyester. It is true that some dogs manage to break the nylon straps by biting them, but several manufacturers offer chew warranties for at least one year.

Adjustable

For a harness or anti-pull collar to be safe, they must fit properly. For example, a puppy wearing an ill-fitting harness could develop problems as it grows.

Besides, some collars or harnesses are not suitable for all body types and can move a lot on the dog’s body. Also, if you have a dog that pulls a lot, or if you have an ill-fitting harness, your dog may develop chafing in his armpits. Ill-fitting collars and harnesses could also hamper the dog’s mobility.

Quick Release Buckle

A quick-release buckle allows you to quickly remove your dog’s collar, which is useful in an emergency and easier to put on.

Your Dog’s Temperament

If your dog is anxious by nature and doesn’t like having straps around his head or muzzle, then headcollars with nosebands might bother him. A martingale-type collar will probably be more appropriate. On the other hand, dogs with a more laid-back personality generally don’t have a problem with headcollars.

Tips

In short, keep in mind that a no-pull collar or harness is not the only way to teach your dog not to pull. They are simply additional tools. However, combined with obedience lessons and the help of a certified dog trainer, collars and harnesses can be very effective and are a valuable asset to make your walks more enjoyable.

A Quick Note About Correction Collars

Correction collars, such as chain, prong, or choke collars, are not universally accepted tools.

For one thing, these types of training collars need to be used with care, to avoid hurting your dog.

In addition, many canine educators deplore the use of choke collars and prong collars, because they believe it is a method of training through punishment that has no place to be. These are coercive tools that only hurt the dog, without correcting their behavior. Worse still, they alter the bond of trust with the dog, because the animal that feels strangled has absolutely no understanding of why its owner reacts in this way.

But, if you absolutely insist on using correction collars, you should do so under the supervision of a certified canine trainer, to avoid causing pain to your pet.

Conclusion

Choosing a good collar for the walk is essential for the comfort and well-being of your dog, and also yours. And since a dog is not naturally inclined to walk on a leash, it is normal for him to need a learning period beforehand. However, it is true that some dogs are more likely to pull on the leash than others, which makes anti-pull collars excellent learning tools.

Also, collars and harnesses are preferable to coercive tools such as choke or spike collars. PetSafe Gentle Leader Padded No Pull Dog Headcollar is a great option for dogs that don’t have a problem with halters, while 2 Hounds Design Freedom allows you to exert more control over your dog, without causing him any pressure or pain.

If you are still undecided, we strongly advise you to seek advice from your veterinarian or a certified dog trainer, who will be able to direct you to the tool that is best for your pup.

You Might Also Be Interested In:

• 10 Best Large Dog Collars – Reviews & Top Picks
• 10 Best No-Shock Training Collars: Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: Eudyptula, Shutterstock