Gentle Leader?

That could be a good option, some dogs however have problems with the parts that touches their faces, in some dogs it gets red because the constant rubbing, there are dogs that are not comfortable at all with it, there are others that are comfortable and works perfect just like the dane you saw
 
The pulling of your dog is not so much about the instrument you use or not use, there is a technique to walk your dog properly, basically is about having your dog being calm even at the moment you grab the leash to put it on, if the dog is excited when he is going out the door then he will be like that all the time, he has to be calm when you grab the leash, he has to be calm when you put the leash on, he has to be calm when you cross the door to go out, etc. You can make him sit to help him to be calm, some times they are seated but still excited so check on that too
 
If he gets excited when you start walking towards the door just wait and make him seat again, maybe the first time will take you 4 or 5 tries but at the end he will understand that getting excited does not take him anywhere, is like that technique of "being a tree" but you do it inside the house, after that you almost wont have to do it outside because he got the idea from the beginning, but remember you can not be a "tree" and have the dog still excited because it wont work []

There is also an premier easy walk harness.  In this, there is no danger of hurting the neck.

Yes, the Easy Walk Harness does not attach to the head in any way and it really helps the pulling. However, not having control over the dogs head means you need to get its attention in other ways - which is probably a good thing in terms of training.
 
Another good one is the Sporn harness. I don't know if it's as effective as the Easy Walk, but I found the Sporn easier to get on the dog.

The pulling of your dog is not so much about the instrument you use or not use, there is a technique to walk your dog properly, basically is about having your dog being calm even at the moment you grab the leash to put it on, if the dog is excited when he is going out the door then he will be like that all the time, he has to be calm when you grab the leash, he has to be calm when you put the leash on, he has to be calm when you cross the door to go out, etc. You can make him sit to help him to be calm, some times they are seated but still excited so check on that too

If he gets excited when you start walking towards the door just wait and make him seat again, maybe the first time will take you 4 or 5 tries but at the end he will understand that getting excited does not take him anywhere, is like that technique of "being a tree" but you do it inside the house, after that you almost wont have to do it outside because he got the idea from the beginning, but remember you can not be a "tree" and have the dog still excited because it wont work

 These are the longest sentences I have ever read!

The headcollar shouldn't cause soreness if it is fitted correctly.  If you do decide to use a GL, get a double end for your lead so you can attach one end to the head collar and one end to the collar.  The dog shouldn't be able to slip out of it if it is well fitted, but it doesn't hurt to be safe.  It will give you more control too.

You could use some thing to keep his attention on you like a treat or a toy. What you do is show your pup that you have something that he would really like to have, than give the heal command walk about 3 feet than give them a treat after they automatic sit. You just keep working your way up so that the next day he will have to walk 6 feet before he can have the treat and next day 12 feet. This way after a time you wont need the treat any more but your dog will be focused on you and will heal very nicely.

ORIGINAL: ldyharley

The pulling of your dog is not so much about the instrument you use or not use, there is a technique to walk your dog properly, basically is about having your dog being calm even at the moment you grab the leash to put it on, if the dog is excited when he is going out the door then he will be like that all the time, he has to be calm when you grab the leash, he has to be calm when you put the leash on, he has to be calm when you cross the door to go out, etc. You can make him sit to help him to be calm, some times they are seated but still excited so check on that too

If he gets excited when you start walking towards the door just wait and make him seat again, maybe the first time will take you 4 or 5 tries but at the end he will understand that getting excited does not take him anywhere, is like that technique of "being a tree" but you do it inside the house, after that you almost wont have to do it outside because he got the idea from the beginning, but remember you can not be a "tree" and have the dog still excited because it wont work

 These are the longest sentences I have ever read!

 
Then you've never read Faulkner.[]

my dog still pulls with Gentle Leader but it definitely helps her to not pull as much and as hard. I would suggest using a shorter lead so your dog can't get too far ahead of you and also stop moving forward when he or she pulls

Continuous pulling on the GL can be harmful.... as can the dog lunging on it, or his owner yanking on it.  The idea is that when the dog pulls, you stop and his own momentum turns his body round to face you.  Put him back beside you and step off again, stopping each time he pulls..... he'll soon learn that to go anywhere fast he has to walk nicely.  Heeling is a bit different.... I teach that seperately and use it rarely to keep it meaningful to the dog, like when crossing a street or getting through a crowd or past a distraction.

Then you've never read Faulkner

 No, but I've read your blog.