Boy are you right Colin
The extending lead seems like the perfect option when you have a young pup and aren't ready to let them off lead in public, but I made a rod for my own back
. When I first got Morgan I used it quite a lot but then we ended up with pulling problems. I bought a halti and put it on - couldn't even bring myself to attach the lead - he went MENTAL
- I couldn't bare to see him so distressed and took it off straight away. If anyone wants to try it, it's brand new and free to good home!!
Puppy classes have made a difference. Talking to him all the time keeps his attention, not to mention a pocket full of gravy bones, and a half-check collar
. He now only pulls for the first couple of minutes of the walk - till the excitement wears off - he starts to concentrate on the important business of sniffing.
P.S My vet advised against a harness as he said it would just let him pull in comfort and he'd never learn to walk on a loose lead :-. Mind you they do seem to work for some people.