This is Zoe learning to walk on a harness. She is unsure at first and stops suddenly quite a bit. We use a combination of practicing an authoritative energy with lots of treat re-enforcement. It's important to note that sometimes light leash pressure can be a great tool to build confidence in your dog and teach them how to give in to the leash pressure rather then pull away. It can even help with extremely fearful cases by using pressure, and then releasing as soon as the dog makes that decision to give in. However, when working with a nervous dog outside, that is not the best approach. It is better to stick to any leash pressure exercises (like crating or come or even heeling in the house) in the house where they are more comfortable, no outside influences, and where you can really teach them to give in to it where-as outside they are nervous already.
Here is Zoe's video on Thresholds when someone comes over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_qC8YcYPWQ
Here is a video on Thresholds with an adult dog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnIe1B7iW3c
http://DogerciseDogTraining.com
