Leash training an 18-week Dalmatian

The first few months set the patterns for life — the right tools from the start make training easier and less stressful for both puppy and owner, and the wrong ones create habits that are hard to undo. So let's get you set up well. How old is your puppy, what breed are they, and what are you mainly trying to work on right now?

Good timing to be thinking about this — 18 weeks isn't too late at all, but you're right that a Dalmatian who learns pulling works is going to be a real handful by the time she's fully grown. They're high-energy, strong for their size, and very determined. Before I point you toward a specific tool, can I ask: when she pulls, does she lunge forward toward things she wants — other dogs, people, smells — or is it more constant background pulling in one direction the whole walk?

That tells me a lot. What you're dealing with is arousal-based pulling — she's not ignoring you out of stubbornness, she's just overwhelmed by the environment and hasn't yet learned that checking in with you is more rewarding than charging ahead. A flat collar or standard back-clip harness won't help you here because they give you no leverage in the moment that matters. I'd recommend the Halti Front Control Harness. It has a front attachment point on the chest, which means when she lunges, the lead redirects her sideways toward you rather than letting her power straight forward. That interruption is exactly what creates the pause you need to regain her focus. It's padded, fits snugly without restricting shoulder movement, and Dalmatians generally tolerate it well. Pair it with high-value treats — small pieces of cooked chicken or similar — and use every redirect as a moment to reward her for looking at you. You're not fighting her energy, you're channelling it.

It's a fair question and head collars do give strong physical control, but for a dog like yours I'd actually steer away from one at this stage. Dalmatians can be sensitive and reactive, and if she hits the end of a head collar lead mid-lunge, the neck rotation can cause discomfort and sometimes increases anxiety around the triggers — the opposite of what you want. The front-clip harness gives you enough redirection to work with while keeping the experience neutral for her. Once her leash manners improve and she's more settled on walks, you'll probably find you don't need anything more than that.

The harness is the tool, but the real work is building the habit of her checking in with you voluntarily. Keep walks shorter and more frequent rather than one long one — ten minutes of focused practice beats forty minutes of her practising pulling. Every time she glances back at you on her own, mark it with a word like 'yes' and reward it. You're teaching her that you're worth paying attention to even when the world is exciting. She's a bright breed and will pick this up quickly once the pattern clicks. You've got good instincts catching this now.