Leashes and Collars

 Please do not use a choke collar.  They are horrible things and should only be used under guidance of an experienced trainer.  Most places which offer dog training classes are not going to allow you in class with one, and any place which does you should run away from fast.

To deal with pulling, the best thing is an easy walker harness.  Here is a link with photos:   https://www.google.com/search?q=easy+walker+harness&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=oU&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=72FhUd2UNI_J4AOun4HgDQ&ved=0CHwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=591

 The idea is that as the dog pulls, the dog is turned to facing you, because the leash attaches in the front.  I've heard these can be tricky to fit.  And as your dog is young and still growing, you may have to get 2 (or more) as she outgrows the smaller ones.I've also heard folks rave about the results.

All my dogs are rescues and I encourage you to take group training classes.  Your pup is old enough to start now. This will help the dog to bond with you, teach you how to communicate with your dog, and how to read your dog's body language.  In group classes, your dog is also being socialized with other humans and dogs.  The other class members will see you do things and point it out; and you will observe other class members do things as the instructor and other members point them out.  Look for a place that teaches using positive reinforcement methods.

Most places charge the fee per dog, so all family members from about age 8 on up should attend the classes (no extra charge and many places encourage this) and each of you should do all the homework and practices with the dog.  This puts all of you on the same page, using the same signals and commands, and the dog gets used to following each of you in turn.

I'm sure others will be along with help, as well.  Hope you post photos of your doggie for us soon!  (hint hint)

I agree that a harness designed to stop pulling is much better than a choke collar.  Most people don't know  how to properly use a choke or prong collar and therefore it doesn't serve any purpose and a choke collar can cause damage to the trachea.  I don't know anything about the CM collar/leash thing. 

It's never too early to start training a dog.  A class would be great if you can find a good trainer.

I'm going to third in the vote against a chain collar.  They are supposed to train by sound not by jerking their neck -- but it's too easy to damage their throat and it is very difficult to do without it being really negative.

But bottom line -- there is no substitute for training **inside** first and then outside with a flat buckle collar and taking it a step at a time.

But that's not enough exercise -- for just "walking" on lead, you want to prevent them from successfully pulling as much as possible without hurting them.  For a strong dog, I prefer a Sporn.  Whichever style you choose, it tighens under the legs when they try to pull, and that tends to take the power out of the pull.  But it won't come off (unless an Easy Walk is very carefully sized they CAN get out of them) and it won't hurt the neck/throat at all.

 They look like torture when you open the box *grin* -- if you use the one with the collar you leave the collar quite roomy on the dog.   Two straps attack at the bottom of the collar, go under the front legs and then attach to the back of the collar and up thru an adjustable slide.  So when they pull, it pulls the collar DOWN, not up into the throat.  The mesh style is even less constricting (and I really like those) -- you just slip the opening over the head and then slide the loops under each front leg and draw up the excess thru the slide.   You do have to adjust the straps that go around the head/shoulders -- but there's a lot of freedom in how you make it fit.  But they are nearly impossible for a dog to just slide out of.

This is the original sporn:  http://sporn.com/training/sporn-halter/

 This is the mesh one:

http://sporn.com/training/mesh-non-pull-harness/

you buy them by the size of the neck.  My 19 pound pug requires the medium one (made almost as small as it will go - the Small is TOO small for that blocky pug head).  Luna - who is 30 pounds but long and skinny -- I have her in the L/XL one made down as small as it will go, but it works perfectly (she's really strong but the straps are wider so I'm happy with it).

This is NOT a training collar -- this is to use when she's just on leash and we're "practicing" or when I just want to walk her and give her some room to relax. 

Because of the bracheocephalic nature of the pug, she's in a harness most of the time but she's a soft dog so I use the sporn for training as well and it works because she's responsive. 

Most trainers are going to want you to use a flat buckle collar  and that's as it should be.  But for the times you need to give them some room but you still want control?  The sporn is great. 

What breed of dog is she?  Or mix of breeds?

Get her into a GOOD puppy class.  The instructor will help you decide which is the best equipment for your dog.  The CM collar I think you are talking about is the Illusion collar.  Not knowing what breed you have, I don't want to give you advice on which collars to use. Some collars can do more damage than others if used improperly.  Just this weekend I saw a photo of a tight leash attached to a head halter on a Dobe while the handler was perpendicular to the dog laying on the ground.  Head halter seems like a benevolent tool, but used in that way with that breed - no. 

Some breeds are more accepting of corrections than others. Learning how to get and maintain her attention is MOST important to getting her compliance to working with you on obedience - leash-walking included.  So, find a good trainer to help.

I fully endorse getting a head halter, she's the perfect age for it. It works much like a horse bridle (except without the bit!) the logic being that when the dog pulls, they get turned around because the leash attaches under the chin, it works wonders and within a few walks the pulling completely stops! Some dogs find them uncomfortable and I've never been able to get an older dog to take to it, but with young dogs they adapt really quick