I also don't like halti-head collars. Personally I think they are cruel and not needed. I have also known dogs to get into fights when wearing them as they aren't able to send out the correct head signals, resulting in both dogs getting confused and mistaking a signal for aggression, causing a fight. Some people will say this is rubbish, but there you go.
I have always taken my dogs and pups out on a nylon harness, at the moment, I use the Ancol ones (I have looked around for others though, and am still looking!). The reason for this is that I'm terrified my dogs/pups will slip their collar, lol. I'm probably over worrying though. I use the harnesses that fit round the dogs body AND neck, as the ones that just go round the body, my Lhasa Can slip out of, and I'm not risking my pup dong that, lol.
I also use a good quality (Ancol is good) slip lead. This is for quickness. Say, if I need to get the dogs in the car quickly, or we have guests that aren't keen on dogs. I will also use this when I take Marlee (my 14wk pup) to the river or seaside (I want it to be a little warmer first, lol), so to not get his harness cover in mud or seawater. Another time I use this, is when I take them to the vets, as I don't want the harness getting in the way of the vet if he/she needs to examine their body. Again, I find a slip lead safer than just attaching the lead to their collar, and not as uncomfortable as the choke chain (although, I do agree some dogs may need a choker sometimes - our late Westie did, as does my uncle's GSD).
Cob-Web is 100% right, he'll grow so fast, so don't buy too many things until he's at least over a year old.
Hope this helps.
