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## Back to the Future: The Musical (Adelphi Theatre)

If you've got a child who loves a bit of wackiness then a trip to see _Back to the Future: The Musical_ is an absolute must. I visited recently with my nine-year-old son Odhran. We were both totally engrossed, laughed throughout, and felt wowed by the special effects. Despite it being late on a school night when we left the theatre, Odhran felt pumped after a wonderfully fun experience. The critically acclaimed, Olivier, WhatsOnStage, and Broadway World Award winning musical, based on the hit 1984 film, is going into its fourth year. It welcomes new cast members, including recent graduate Vasco Emauz, who makes his West End debut as Marty McFly, and Orlando Gibbs as George McFly, alongside returning cast members, including Cory English as Doctor Emmett Brown and Sarah Goggin as Lorraine.

If you're unfamiliar with the storyline of _Back to the Future_, here's a quick summary: Marty McFly is a rock 'n' roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr Emmett Brown. But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.

The musical adaptation has broken box office records at the Adelphi Theatre in London and it's easy to see why. I loved the 80s nostalgia, and being able to share this cultural reference from my childhood with my nine-year-old son, felt like a special experience. Book _Back to the Future: The Musical_ if you want to do something memorable with your child this October half-term.

**Booking:** Suitable for those aged 6+. Under 4s will not be admitted. Tickets cost from £19.55. To book visit :a[BackToTheFutureMusical.com]{href='https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com' }. Currently booking until 27 July 2025.

If you're looking for a unique family day out, then Phantom Peak could be the perfect activity for you and your family this half term. It's an immersive experience where you wander around a town inhabited by quirky characters, and solve mysteries. Using your phone and a link to the Jonassist website, you’ll be assigned a unique storyline, and you must follow a trail and solves clues to help townsfolk. You'll spend more than four hours here, strolling around at your leisure, mingling with live actors and immersing yourself in the storylines, exploring the sets, and enjoying a drink or a bite to eat.

We visited during the Spring season, but each season at the Peak has something new to offer. So, fans of the attraction can visit several times to experience something different. Hallowed Peak: The Lunar Festival has now arrived, and this is an eerie time of year with ghosts and ghouls taking over the minds and nightmares of the townsfolk. There will be some spooky sightings around town, but this season's theme is more autumnal than Halloween focused.

**Booking:** There's no age requirement for Phantom Peak. From our experience we'd say it's probably best suited to ages 9+. Tickets available from £20 per person. Book :a[here]{href='https://www.phantompeak.com/visit-us/tickets/?_gl=1*nhlycn*_up*MQ..&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw9eO3BhBNEiwAoc0-jajvX67HplBD8zSH9ynQ-D9UrTorkKS84hSNTJgteNyi4XuIx8cXRhoCJc8QAvD_BwE&amp;gbraid=0AAAAApVqg0mpQzsDpISi3eLs0buQu-tgF#/' }

The whole family will enjoy this immersive experience, exploring the world of the beloved fictional book and film character, Paddington Bear. Hop on board a train at 'Paddington Station' and journey to 'Windsor Gardens', where Mrs Brown is in a flap. The annual Marmalade Day Festival is due to take place but something has gone wrong, and Mrs Brown and Mrs Bird need your help. Kids will love taking part in tasks to help save the day. The small cast of actors gave a wonderful, high-energy performance, and designer Rebecca Brower has created a fantastic set. I visited with my son's Odhran, 9, and Reuben, 6, and they both loved the experience. Read our full review :a[here.]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/the-paddington-bear-experience-review-we-visited-this-grrreat-new-immersive-family-attraction/' } The Paddington Bear Experience, located at Riverside Building, County Hall, right next to Westminster Bridge, is a charming way to enjoy time with the kids this half term

**Booking:** A standard adult ticket costs from £29, and a child (2-15) costs £19. Children under 2 go free. These costs include the booking fee. Prices vary depending on peak and off-peak hours. Book :a[here]{href='https://paddingtonbearexperience.com' }

## Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience

This multi-million-pound attraction in the heart of London celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. It’s an immersive experience that brings to life the 1978 multi-platinum album Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, inspired by H.G. Wells’ 1897 sci-fi novel.

Composer Jeff Wayne re-produced his iconic score and created new sound effects exclusively for The Immersive Experience, which uses live actors, movie-quality sets, VR, digital tech and multi-sensory effects to create an experience that has received thousands of five-star reviews online. Visitors travel back to 1898 and must escape a Martian-occupied Victorian England in an action-packed journey through the classic tale of The War of the Worlds. The experience is suitable for those aged 10+ and is one not to be missed.

Booking: Tickets cost from £45-£82 (plus booking fee). Limited VIP tickets are available from £120. Book :a[here]{href='https://thewaroftheworldsimmersive.com/' }

Kick off the half term holidays by taking the kids for a delicious dessert. Creams Café has around 100 branches across the UK, with almost 40 of those based in London. It offers a wide range of freshly prepared desserts including waffles, crêpes, sundaes, cakes, milkshakes, sorbets, gelato, and vegan desserts. It's a super handy destination on a half term rainy day when the kids are getting cabin fever and you haven't got anything else booked to keep them occupied. We recently visited a branch in Bromley, Kent, for a Friday evening treat. The menu has lots to offer, but what we love most is the ability to build your own dessert (perfect for kids). For example, you can choose whether you want a waffle or a crêpe, the toppings, and which flavour ice-cream you'd like scooped on top.

Odhran and Reuben both went for waffles. Odhran chose toppings of Kinder Bueno, mini marshmallows, milk chocolate sauce, and a scoop of cookies and cream gelato. Reuben chose fresh strawberries, mini marshmallows and milk chocolate sauce with bubblegum gelato. I had a deliciously hot crêpe with banana slices, milk chocolate sauce and salted caramel gelato. We all cleared our plates! Creams Cafê branches all have distinctive signage and purple furnishings. The comfy booths and lighting fixtures give it a traditional ice-cream parlour feel and the environment is enticing for kids. Each person can eat for under a tenner, making it an affordable half term trip out.

**Booking:** We've usually found that you can drop in without the need to book. Find a store locator :a[here]{href='https://www.creamscafe.com/our-stores/' }

A One4all Gift Card is a perfect gift for every occasion, including birthdays, Christmas, or even to say thanks! It’s a multi-store gift card, fast becoming one of the UK’s most popular and available in a physical and digital format that can be loaded with any amount from £10 to £120. The One4all Gift Card is available to buy from your local Post Office, Tesco, selected Morrisons, Co-op, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Aldi, Poundland and Iceland supermarkets nationwide and online at :a[one4all.com]{href='https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.one4all.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CLaura.Riddell%40bauermedia.co.uk%7C8bb93534ad354ee349b208dce38b2e57%7C0e79f3f34eeb48ed815e2876c379e863%7C0%7C0%7C638635434189432620%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Z0LVsPBJf7WBp%2FqvzBRmr1GQ5x0XwqMfO%2FKLhnaz6No%3D&amp;reserved=0' }. You can use it in more than 180 brands in-store or online with participating retailers, so there is something to suit everyone! What’s more, you can even pick up a One4all Favourites Gift Card, which can be tailored to fit the tastes of your recipient. Whether they love to eat out, dress well, or stay active, there’s a Favourites Gift Card to suit. This half term, we’ve teamed up with One4all to GIVE AWAY a One4all Gift Card worth £100! Treat your child to a toy at The Entertainer, a chance to Build-a-Bear, a trip to the cinema, or a bite to eat at Pizza Hut. The card offers plenty to choose from. If you’re unsure what to get a grandchild or a niece or nephew for a gift, you really can’t go wrong with a One4all Gift Card, and it’s great for parents to make those family moments extra special at times of the year that are difficult to budget for, such as half term. Find out more :a[here]{href='https://www.one4all.com' }. Enter below to be in with the chance to WIN...

https://xd.wayin.com/embed/23b66c48-ca98-4477-9004-1286fb166b5b?mode=responsive&scrolling=no

Great things to do with kids in London this October half term

We visited :a[Alton Towers]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/alton-towers-theme-park-review-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-visit/' }during the Easter school holidays, and as we pulled up in the car park outside Alton Towers Hotel, my two sons, Odhran, 9, and Reuben, 6, were excited by the sense of impending adventure. The facade of the hotel is inviting, and directly in front of the entrance, there's a lovely big water fountain, featuring a magical flying car, laden with canons and suitcases, which stirs up the feeling of something magical ahead. The boys liked the fact that there were real ducks relaxing on the water. At the entrance, there was a smartly dressed member of staff waiting to welcome guests. As we stepped inside, and Odhran spotted the ornamental Around the World in Eighty Days flying contraption in the middle of the hotel, he said: 'ooh! This feels fancy.'

A walkabout adventurer mascot, encouraging the kids to come along to the evening entertainment, gave the hotel a thematic and unique feel that was certainly getting the boys in the right mood. Leading into the reception area, staff behind the desk were friendly and keen to assist with our check-in process. The boys were running around exploring every inch of the foyer, while we checked in and were given our room keys.

The hotel offers a huge variety of themed rooms to suit the taste of any age, giving excellent options for all families. The design and decoration of the interiors are nicely executed and, once again, further the experience of your stay.

There are Explorer themes, including Arctic Explorer and Moon Voyage Room, more focused designs like the Gangsta Granny room, Chocolate (Cadbury) room, Coca-Cola room and then bigger rooms like the Splish Splash water themed room, Arabian nights room, Dreamy Den and the Sleepover room - with the potential of sleeping 6 guests.

Our room was the Moon Voyage theme. Straight through the door we had a very clean and spacious bathroom to our left, with spacey adventure wallpaper on the door of a robot sitting on the toilet reading a newspaper, which the boys found hilarious. Slightly further into the room were bunk beds for the kids, nestled into a little nook, with themed wallpaper and carpet, loaded with astronomical design.

The main part of the room had a large bed, a wall mounted TV, with smart features, and similar thematic wallpaper on the statement wall. The window overlooked the courtyard, which had a pleasant view of the water pond and fountain - you could see CBeebies hotel opposite. The boys were thrilled to find a giant teddy sat on the bed, waiting to greet them on arrival, and spent a lot of time cuddling it. They were sad to have to give it up at the end of our stay, and spent a lot of time moving it around the room, including sitting it on the toilet with a loo roll in hand.

Overall I would say that the room has plenty for the eye, and is thoughtfully and tastefully designed. It was just about big enough for the four of us, with the partition and bunk bed nook offering a sense of added space to an otherwise quite compact room. The boys loved having their own little TV, but as is often the case with a single night stay at a theme park, there is so much to do during the day and night that you actually end up spending very little time in the actual room. When it came time to check-out, Reuben was disappointed as he wanted in spend time just chilling in the themed room.

On a practical level, tea and coffee were provided but there was no bottled water. I'm sure it's fine to drink the water from the tap, but if you're a bit funny about that, you might want to bring your own bottled water. There was an iron, ironing board and hairdryer. There were basic toiletries, but I was glad to have brought my own.

## What was the evening entertainment like?

We only sampled one evening of entertainment at the hotel as we set off the following day after our time at :a[Splash Landings Waterpark]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/best-family-days-out/' }. After reading negative reviews about the food on offer at the restaurants on site, we decided to head out for a meal at a local gastropub, returning at around 8pm. There are lots of lovely local gastropubs but you'd need to have booked in advance, or, like us, you'll end up going quite far afield. The disadvantage of this is you'll then likely miss the kids disco. It's also worth mentioning that a couple of the nearest gastro pubs only do Thai food which might not be suitable for fussy little eaters. If you stay at Alton Towers Hotel, you can avail of the entertainment here or at Splash Landings Hotel. While there were great singing performances downstairs at the centre of Alton Towers Hotel, we decided to follow the corridor by the main reception desk across to Splashing Landings, as the entertainment here seemed more kid friendly. We headed to the bar area, where two Fanta slushies and a medium glass of wine will set you back around £20. We spent a lovely evening watching the performers, who gave it their all, singing well known songs and leading the kids through dance routines and interactive games. The kids made friends on the dance floor and really enjoyed taking part, expressing sadness when we said we were heading back to the room, despite the fact that we'd been at the theme park all day and their eyes were almost closed with exhaustion.

At check-in, you are requested to book in your timed slot for breakfast in the Secret Garden restaurant between 7am-10am. We had checked in pretty late and were only able to book in for 9:30am, which was good as the boys slept in following their previous day of fun and activity.

We were impressed by the breakfast on offer. There was a buffet style cooked section - which was regularly topped up - a small bakery section with muffins and pastries, fresh pancakes with maple syrup, fresh fruit, tea, coffee and juice, and cereals. There was no option of having an omelette cooked or anything made to order options, but we left feeling well sated. I ate a vegetarian breakfast, my husband had fruit and pastries and the boys had some hot food followed, of course, by pancakes and muffins. They loved the fact you could help yourself, enjoying the independence of making the decision.

Included in the price of the hotel stay is a round of, ride themed, ‘Extraordinary’ Mini Golf at the 18-hole course adjacent to the hotel. Following breakfast, we went along for a game, and the boys thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not sure it is something we would have paid extra for - which you can do if you’re not staying at the hotel, for £7pp or £4pp with the Merlin pass. The course is a little bit tired and features themes on rides (like the water chute) that are no longer operational. That being said, it is a nice way of passing 30 minutes or so when included in the cost of the hotel stay and we all had fun. Definitely a nice addition to your stay at Alton Towers.

The cost of your stay will vary depending on the room theme you decide to book, and naturally, prices vary between on and off peak dates. But at our time of visiting, on a Friday during the school Easter holidays, the price of the Moon Voyage room was around £200, which we think is excellent value as you get the entertainment, the golf, parking and breakfast included in the price. Prices increase with the more focused rooms like Gangster Granny and Big Pyjama Room.

If you are staying for a special occasion or your child is a David Walliams, Coca-Cola or Cadbury fan etc then maybe it is worth the extra for one of these rooms. However, given how little time will actually be spent in the room I would argue that it’s worth booking the Explorer rooms, which still offer a great sense of adventure and are nicely decorated but save you a lot money.

Alongside the Alton Towers Hotel there are a number of other options if you want to tailor your stay to make it extra special. There's the Splash Landings Hotel, where you'll find the wonderful Splash Landings Waterpark. CBeebies Land Hotel, which has its own separate entertainment, and is soon to include a Bluey Room! You can also stay at the Woodland Lodges - very cosy looking log cabins. These seem reasonably priced and offer a sense of luxury and adventure. For an even more luxurious experience you can stay in their Alton Towers' Treehouses. Nestled in the enchanted village, this accommodation is worth considering for a special occasion. Finally, for a camping feel, you can stay in the Stargazing Pods - which are budget ‘glamping’ units offering an affordable and quirky stay.

• Make the most of your time - We were only staying one night at Alton Towers Hotel. Standard check-in time is 3pm and check-out the following morning is at 10am (unless you pay extra for later check-out, which must be added on booking). We really needed to make the most of our limited time. So, we arrived early in the morning. We parked at the hotel, left our bags in the car, and headed straight into the theme park. We spent all day in the theme park before returning to the hotel to check-in. We booked the latest time for breakfast the following morning. Afterwards, we enjoyed the free round of golf included in the booking, before heading to Splash Landings Waterpark, which you need to book as a separate attraction. But by arriving early on the day of check-in and leaving late the following day, it felt like we'd had a full weekend break.

• Get the best value for money - If you're looking to save money on a visit to Alton Towers, it's worth looking to visit at a time when they're running special offers. For example, second day free theme park entry, as this will allow you to make the most of your short break. At the moment (and until 6th November) Alton Towers is offering season-end savings, with second day free theme park entry, plus if you book a mid-week break you get free Fastrack Silver. Visit :a[here]{href='https://www.altontowers.com/short-breaks/offers-packages/2nd-day-free/' } to find out more.

• Download the app - this will not only be useful for queue times etc while in the theme park, but it'll also give you the itinerary for the evening entertainment at the hotel. So, you can make sure you've planned your day and don't miss out on anything.

• Pack a bag - when you leave the hotel to head into the theme park, don't forget to pack a bag with everything you might need for the day - suncream, raincoat, sweater. And remember your water bottle, as there are water stations on site to fill up your bottle. There is more to see and do at Alton Towers than is possible to squeeze into a single day. So, while you can get a hand stamp allowing you to leave and re-enter the theme park, you won't want to waste time leaving the park to head back to the hotel to collect something you've forgotten.

We found the price of around £200 for a night's accommodation at Alton Towers Hotel very reasonable considering we've stayed at basic hotels near attractions for a similar price, and here we got a themed room, which brought a real novelty factor for the kids, the evening entertainment, breakfast, and adventure golf included. We found the staff to be helpful and friendly, and the hotel is only a five minute walk to the theme park entrance. We didn't eat our evening meal at the hotel, but we were happy with the breakfast provided. Overall, we'd rate our stay Alton Towers Hotel 4.5 out of 5.

Alton Towers Hotel Review: What to know before booking your short break

Selecting the best clumping cat litter in the UK is vital if you're looking for a more hygienic litter choice that is easy to maintain. As the name suggests, this type of :a[cat litter]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/cats/best-cat-litter/' } is super absorbent. It forms into clumps when it comes into contact with urine and faeces. Many cat owners opt for clumping litter as it's an easier option to clean up. You can simply scoop out the lumps soon after they form to keep your kitty's litter tray or box fresher for longer.

Cleaning the litter tray is nobody's favourite part of cat ownership. So, finding a litter that will make the task of cleaning up after your kitty quick and as mess-free as possible should be a priority. That's where clumping cat litter comes in. Containing wee and poop in one solid lump means that it can simply be scooped out and disposed of, without having to change the entirety of the litter every time your kitty uses the bathroom. Clumping litter is also great at masking smells. Everything left behind by your kitty is conjoined together so you can remove the odour and the mess at the same time. There are lots of great clumping :a[odour-control cat litter]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/cats/best-cat-litter-for-odour/' } out there to help.

## Best clumping cat litter UK at a glance:

**• Best overall:** Tippaws Long-Lasting Clumping Litter – :a[View on Tippaws]{href='https://www.tippaws.com/products/long-lasting-clumping-litter' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow'}  
**• Best eco-friendly clumping cat litter:** KatKin Scoop Planet Cat Litter – :a[View on KatKin]{href='https://www.katkin.com/planet-litter' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow'}  
**• Best clumping cat litter for absorbency:** Catsan Natural Clumping Cat Litter – :a[View on Amazon UK]{href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catsan-Natural-Biodegradable-Clumping-Litter/dp/B07MQ9KSKW?tag=qtabparticle1215-21' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow'}

You'll want to make sure the clumping litter you choose creates as solid and stable clumps as possible. Cat food and litter brand, :a[Tippaws]{href='https://www.tippaws.com/blogs/news/should-i-choose-clumping-litter-or-non-clumping-litter' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'} states that this is important as you want all of the clumped litter to be easily removed from the tray as it holds the urine and faeces and therefore the smell. If the clump collapses, the spoiled litter will remain in the tray. This will not only contaminate the litter left in the tray. But, it will also leave behind the odour so the litter tray won't smell as fresh as it could and will require changing more often.

Whether you're looking for :a[cat litter for an indoor cat]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/cats/best-cat-litter-for-indoor-cats-uk/' } or one that outdoor cats will prefer, we've searched the web to bring you all the best clumping cat litter in the UK. They come highly rated by cat owners across the country.

## How we chose the best clumping cat litter {#h-how-we-chose-the-best-clumping-cat-litter}

All of these clumping cat litters have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered clumping ability, absorbency and odour control in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching clumping cat litter to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.

## Clumping cat litter FAQs {#h-clumping-cat-litter-faqs}

## What is clumping cat litter? {#h-what-is-clumping-cat-litter}

As the name suggests, clumping cat litter is designed to form solid clumps when it interacts with moisture, such as urine. This makes it easier to clean up after your cat when they’ve been to the toilet in their litter tray. As the clumping makes bigger chunks, it’s easier to scoop out so you can remove soiled litter and leave the clean litter behind, cutting down on wasted litter. Not only are these lumps easier to clean, but they’re also effective at trapping odours so your cat’s litter tray smells fresher for longer. Just remove to regularly scoop out the clumps to keep their box or tray as fresh as possible.

## How often does clumping cat litter need cleaning and changing?

How often you change your moggy’s litter will all depend on the size of their :a[cat litter box or tray]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/cats/best-cat-litter-box-uk/' }, the type of litter you use and also the number of kitties using it. When using clumping cat litter, you should scoop out and remove the clumps of urine and faeces daily to keep it clean and stop odours from building up. How often you change the litter completely will just depend on the needs of your cat and your household. Of course, as all cat owners know, cats love to feel fresh and clean. So, changing the litter regularly will help to create a more hygienic environment for your kitty.

Generally speaking, clumping cat litter is safe for cats. However, many are made with clumping agents like sodium bentonite and quartz silica that can be toxic to your moggy if ingested. As kittens are more inquisitive and learn about the world as they grow, they may be more likely to try and eat it. Therefore, clumping litter may not be such a good option if you have younger cats.

_:a[Rosie Floyd]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/author/rosie-floyd/' } is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers._

Best clumping cat litter in the UK for easy clean ups

As much as we love our dogs, it gets quite tiring having to constantly stop them from pulling or tugging on their :a[dog leads]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-leads/' }, so you may need a specialist lead for dogs that pull. Be it a small dog or a large dog (although larger dogs are significantly harder to control), it's less than ideal to keep stopping and pulling your furry companion back to walk alongside you. If your dog is known for tugging on their lead, we've rounded up the best leads for dogs that pull to help with training.

Now, a lead, leash or harness can't completely stop your dog from pulling, you need training for that. As Carolyn Menteith, Dog Behaviourist at :a[tails.com]{href='https://tails.com/gb/' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}, tells us. Carolyn has answered a few of our questions below.

## Best leads for dogs that pull at a glance:

**•** **Best overall:** Candure Dog Lead – :a[View on Amazon UK]{href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08JHTDBSK?tag=qtabparticle1048-21' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}  
**•** **Best lead for unexpected pulls:** EzyDog Zero Shock Dog Lead – :a[View on Amazon UK]{href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/EzyDog-Shock-Absorbing-Leash-Purple/dp/B01KVMXI46?tag=qtabparticle1048-21' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}  
**•** **Best lead for small dogs that pull:** ThunderLeash No-Pull Dog Leash – :a[View on Amazon UK]{href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/ThunderLeash-No-Pull-Leash-Small-Grey/dp/B01G62AXCU?tag=qtabparticle1048-21' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}  
**•** **Best lead for large dogs that pull:** Barkswell Premium Anti Pull Dog Lead – :a[View on Amazon UK]{href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/Premium-Strong-Dog-Lead-Reflective/dp/B07NQ156CB?tag=qtabparticle1048-21' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}

Caroline says: "Dogs want to get where they are going quickly so they can enjoy the fun of the park and their favourite places, or meet their doggy friends, so they pull in the hope they will get there faster."

"Other reason they pull is that walking nicely on a lead is boring – and because they have never been trained not to!"

"It’s important to remember that any piece of equipment that will stop your dog from pulling will only do so because it is uncomfortable if they pull. It’s obvious if you think about it. There is only one thing that will stop your dog pulling – and that is training."

"Often, they have a faster walking speed than us – and so in our dog’s eyes, we are dawdling!"

Many dog owners actually use the wrong dog collar and lead for their dogs. Whilst buying the correct walking equipment can't absolutely stop your dog from pulling, it can lessen the strength of the pull and ultimately absorb a lot of the strain and shock from unexpected pulls. For example, :a[retractable dog leads]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/the-best-retractable-dog-lead/' } may not be the solution for dogs that pull. But if you're unsure which one is best for your dog or even how to properly lead train your dog.

Without any further ado, here are the best leads for dogs that pull, as well as a selection of anti-pull harnesses, to help you have more control while you're out walking with your pooch.

Sometimes you need a bit more help with training a pooch to walk on the lead without pulling and that’s where an anti-pull harness comes in. When used in conjunction with an anti-pull lead, a harness will enhance the level of control you have over your dog so you can help steer them in the right direction and discourage them from pulling.

Harnesses help to distribute pressure evenly across a dog’s body which will take away some of the strain and discomfort they may feel while pulling on a lead. Here are some of our favourite anti-pull harnesses…

## How we chose the best leads for dogs that pull {#h-how-we-chose-the-best-leads-for-dogs-that-pull}

All of these leads for dogs that pull have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered durability, practicality and style in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching leads for dogs that pull to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from pet experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.

## Key features to look for in a lead for dogs that pulls:

A 1.2 to 1.8 metres long lead provides control yet enough freedom for your dog to move comfortably.

Go for strong materials, such as nylon, leather or rope. These are durable and can withstand the force of a dog that pulls.

Choose a wider lead (approximately 2.5cm) as this offers more durability and strength to hold larger or powerful dogs.

A padded and ergonomic handle reduces the strain on your hand and is more comfortable when walking a dog that pulls.

## FAQs with Carolyn Menteith, Dog Behaviourist from tails.com: {#h-faqs-with-carolyn-menteith-dog-behaviourist-from-tails-com}

":a[Dog harnesses]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-harnesses-uk/' } are ideal for both small dogs and larger ones. When walking small dogs, especially if they haven’t been trained to walk nicely on the lead, so often the lead pressure is upwards (because we are so far above them). With a collar, this puts a constant, sometimes jerking, pressure on their delicate throat area. A harness prevents this and spreads any pressure evenly. Also, tiny dogs can be experts at slipping out of a collar!"

### What type of lead/harness would you recommend for dogs that pull? {#h-what-type-of-lead-harness-would-you-recommend-for-dogs-that-pull}

"There are several options that are recommended by dog owners – from a collar or a chain to a headcollar or a harness.

"While you are doing that training, it isn’t fair to use aversive equipment that hurts, or that makes walks anything less than the fun and enjoyable time it should be for both you and your dog."

"While a plain :a[dog collar]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-collar/' } is traditional and what many people are used to, there is enough research to show that they can cause injury and long-term damage to the delicate structures in your dog’s neck - even from just low levels of pulling. They can cause tissue damage, increase pressure in the eye, potentially affect the thyroid, and compress the blood vessels. Not only that, but the pressure on the dog’s windpipe can affect their breathing and their ability to pant to cool down."

"As for what harness is best - it’s a bit like asking you what dress I should wear! Every dog is different. It depends on size, shape, the extravagance of movement, degree of hairiness, how thin-skinned they are, what kind of exercise they are doing... What works well for one dog won’t work for another. A good harness won’t slip, won’t rub, certainly won’t tighten in any way, won’t put pressure on your dog’s neck, and will leave the dog’s shoulder and front legs free to move fully. Comfort is always more important than appearance!"

### How do you train a dog not to pull? {#h-how-do-you-train-a-dog-not-to-pull}

"The place to teach your dog not to pull on the lead is not in the middle of the great outdoors with lots of exciting things going on all around you! Lead training is something you start at home in a quiet room with no distractions long before you take to the streets."

"While it might sound strange, start teaching your dog to walk beside you without a lead on – as neither of you has anything to pull on (the big secret… it takes two to pull on the lead!)."

### Here are Carolyn's top tips: {#h-here-are-carolyn-s-top-tips}

Use a treat you know your dog likes, hold it in your hand by their nose, and walk forward a few steps. Reward them with a treat for walking close beside you.

As soon as your dog has got the hang of this, increase the number of steps you take before giving them the treat.

Once they are doing this well, you can move the treat further away from your dog’s nose so you are not luring them so much – just letting them know there is a treat on offer and walking forward as before.

If your dog gets ahead of you or wanders off, call them back to you excitedly and carry on as before.

Once you’ve got the hang of this, you can try with the lead on – but remember to reward your dog frequently.

If the lead goes tight, stop, call your dog back to you (maybe even walking backwards a few paces as you do so your dog has to follow you) - then carry on walking and reward after a few good steps.

Make it fun! Talk to your dog, change speed and direction, do turns and circles, walk backwards – make staying beside you a game.

"Then you’re ready to practice this everywhere. In the garden, in the park, with distraction."

_:a[Piper Huxley]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/author/piper-huxley/' } is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content._

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