Delilah and I started puppy kindergarten last night! Wow was she crazy excited. It was a great first night but she was really pulling on the leash. I am concerned that she may hurt herself and was wondering if anyone has trained with a harness instead of a collar? Did it work better?

Great suggestion, thank you. I didn't even know those existed! I may try another week and see how she does. She has been doing very well at home on the leash but not nearly as much distractions.

I would like to eventually have Delilah become a therapy dog so this first step is very important to us.

I hope to do the same with Bella, but I have decided it is just going to have to possibly be something she does when she is a bit older. She loves people so much she gets to excited. That little bum of hers just can't stay on the ground when she is meeting a new person. Though, her jumping is improving tremendously. I may still go through the Canine Good Citizens class just to see how we do. I just found out someone near here offers it and the testing. Would be a nice first step to the therapy training.

I didn't use the gentle leader often, as I didn't want to cover the issue... I wanted her to learn leash manners. If you try one, I suggest getting her used to it before using it. Put it on loose and let her have it fall off on its own. Do this several times...leading up putting it on normally for small bouts while she is distracted with a good toy..or even a training session. Some dogs tolerate it well. Bella did..as she aged since I didn't use it much if I tried to (I threw it on once at a local festival because she was tugging toward every dropped bit of food on the ground lol) she didn't like it as much. Anyone who stopped to pet her she would start rubbing her face vigorously on their legs. That was just as embarrassing to me as the pulling lol. Also, I really loved how nicely it worked...but I simply despised people asking me if it was a muzzle and if she was vicious.

The buckle part should fit snug right behind the ears (not low on the neck) and the nose portion should be loose enough that it can move to the end of the snout, without falling off.

We took Delilah to the park for a walk on Saturday and meet a Gentleman with a St. Bernard Puppy (9 months). He was so well behaved I asked about the harness he was using. It is called a "Walk Easy Harness" (See picture). We decided to give it a try and bought one for Delilah.

Oh my GOSH, what a difference. Within minutes she was behaving like she had been loose leash walking for years. I will keep on eye out for the chafing under her legs but I believe this will be a huge help with her training. 

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions.