Hi, i'm looking for some opinions on a problem. 

I've been working so hard on loose leash training with Keely and i think we're making progress although there's still a really long way to go.  I'm pretty good at calling it a day if i know i'm going to get ratty with her or if she's bored.  The problem i have is that when she does insist on pulling or lunging i'm really quite concerned about her neck as she's so strong.  Her collar is pretty well padded but when the leash is attached the slightly less padded slides around to her throat (not well-designed) and she does gag sometimes when this happens and she pulls.

Should i give in and try a harness?  I dont mean any offence to anybody who uses a harness, just more that i was pretty determined to stick to a collar with Keely more because it's less preparation when leaving for a walk and i do worry that with some dogs the feeling of a harness encourages pulling.  I used a non-pull harness on Kintra from approx 4 months because she jumped and lunged at people despite ongoing training and i didnt want her to accidentally hurt anyone, but this isnt an issue with Keely i've managed to stop her jumping up

I should add that i'm not at all giving up on the leash training, i would just like to know that i'm not damaging her throat when doing so, and i would like more body control over her when we're in town.  Plus i would rather not use a non-pull on her basically because i'm stubborn and determined to win at loose leash training

I bought the mendota slip leads and so far so good when I put them on using the figure 8 method. I only use it this way while we are walking and it has stopped both of them from pulling. If we stop to chat with someone I will slip the loop off their nose and just have the slip lead around their neck. Here's a couple pics of Archer & Zoe with the slip leads on using the figure 8 method (they are intense on a bunny in the photos).

Thanks, i think i'll give that a shot. It looks as if it's a little bit more comfortable than a halti so def worth a try

I will say that at first neither one of them liked it but they got used to it really quickly (within a few minutes). The material is very soft and when they aren't pulling there is no pressue from the lead. I bought the 1/2" x 6' but I think next time I buy some I might get the 3/8" x 6' (I don't know if maybe a little bit smaller diameter would be more comfortable across their nose).

Thanks mrspwgunny - I'm always calling him my "handsome boy".

 Approx 2 hours after posting the original question about harnesses, Keely's collar D-ring ripped off allowing her to get free when we were walking her along the road! We were sssoooooo lucky with regard to the timing as for the very first time we had decided to drive to the top of the hill road to take her up to the top of the Craigs for a new experience.  If we'd been walking on the lower part of the road near our house where there is traffic....dont want to even think about what could have happened (at the busiest time traffic-wise).

I'm angry that the collar didnt last longer (3 months) but it's really shown me exactly how strong she is when she lunges, and at the end of the day it's my responsibility to teach her not to lunge .  The harness option is definately appealing more now!

I should add though that luckily she's such a good wee girl recall-wise that she came to us straight away, phew!

 I second this!   We initially used a storebought harness similar to the EzyDog Harness f from thedogoutdoors website.   I wanted to be able to "try it on" before using.  I purchased the storebought hardness, and it rubbed HORRIBLE abrasions under both arms.   I returned those, and decided to take a chance and try the harness from this website.  I also purchased the protective fleece pads.  I would NEVER purchase any other harness.    For teaching heel, I recommend the prong collar.  The harness tends to bark orders to "pull!"  At least with my two!   They are trained to heel without a prong collar now, and run at a heel with the harness on and attached to the WalkyDog.   I recommend the harness ONLY for running with a bike so it doesn't pull on their neck accidentally. 

 GREAT looking dogs!!   Where did you purchase those leads?  THey look great!