Is there a specific reason you're looking into a harness for your puppy?

I think it's important to socialize your puppy before full vaccination. If you scroll down to @DanaRuns reply to this post, you'll find some helpful information:

https://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/threads/new-puppy-concerned-about-parvo-vs-socialization-backyard-frequented-by-families-of-raccoons.518889/

Edited to add:
Speaking of getting your pup comfortable on a leash, I found Connie Cleveland's new puppy course helpful if you haven't had a puppy in a while. She has a course for performance puppies but also one for the average family puppy. I wish I had discovered it earlier when I first brought home my puppy. There's short clips that make it easy to follow.

Online Obedience Training

Too busy for obedience class? You can train at home with our online dog training courses! Train your dog in your own home and on your own schedule!

www.obedienceroad.com

 

I keep seeing dogs with harnesses more than ever so just double checking to see if that would be a better way to go. Personally I've only used regular collars on all my Goldens and the harnesses look like a pain in the ass to put on and off throughout the day.

 

No help on harness.... I see no reason to use those dumb things.

Regarding shots/socialization - rule of thumb most of us follow is 2 rounds of shots before bringing pups to petstores, etc.

 

I understand the the rule of thumb about no pet stores/parks just wanting to know if places like for example Lowes or similar non pet places would be safe.

 

If you want a dog who pulls use a harness....there is a reason why it is used for trackingn

Use a buckle collar and leather leash.

You should be ok in places like Lowes, Home Depot, Banks, Clothing stores etc. Where I live the downtown stores allow dogs....only exception are restaurants unless a service dog.

 

I was told to use a slip lead to ensure my golden would be able to walk with me in the city (off-leash is also accepted in Europe). So Ramses did both a lot as a puppy and he can enter buses, trains, trams, restaurants, farmer's markets etc in Europe. I know in the US is different so I would follow rules of what establishments you can take your puppy to and leash laws.

I also use a harness. Back in Europe, we do use it for keeping the dog restrained in our cars while travelling. I also use the harness to keep him secure in the trains when we were living in Europe. We travel in the trains and buses between France + Switzerland daily for my work and the two points attachment on the harness are useful when I have lots to carry with me. And usually I won't bother to have another collar on him so I do clip a leash on the harness if I "need to obey leash laws". He is primarily off-leash in Europe, but if I clip a leash on the harness, he doesn't pull so I don't really have that issue with a harness.

Otherwise he's primarily on a slip lead (or off-leash in Europe).

 

For baby puppies up to about 4 months of age I do use a harness. Just whatever harness you want from the pet store.
Prevents a lot of drama over leash breaking. Switch to regular collar and lead of your choice after that.

 

I also like using a harness on my baby puppies while they're learning to walk on a leash. I feel, when they're learning, they're going to pull either way, and the harness is less likely to cause any physical harm to their tender throats. It usually takes me a couple of months to train them to wear a collar, wear a leash, "give" to leash pressure, and walk without pulling... most of which I train in my kitchen and yard before taking it on the road. I think there's an added benefit of, if they are going to "practice" pulling, then they're doing it on a harness and not on a collar.

This is the one I've used for most of my puppies (also the one used by a friend who is a well-known positive dog trainer, agility competitor, and Fenzi instructor). Amazon.com

 

Both mine were taught with a buckle collar and leash. Since we do a lot of hiking i did end up buying a harness for Denver so it was easier to grab her if needed. She outgrew it and i havent got another one theres no reason.
Tucker was taught the same way but he has a harness because he went through a reactive state, the harness helped me keep him held back. But now he has no reason for it. But he loves his harness. He will go and grab it when he wants to go on a walk.
I waited till mine had all their vaccines in order to take them into stores but took them on walks and socialized them other ways.

 

I’ve always used RuffWear harnesses for my pups’ early training and don’t understand the angst. I find them much quicker to be accepted by the little ones and the transition to a collar is seamless.

 

I wouldn't be in a rush to take a puppy out to a box store. You can and should do a lot locally to "socialize" the dog to it's surroundings. Different footings, sounds, and the like around your house and yard.

When you do venture to a box store, put the dog in a cart and it will get plenty to see and smell with little risk, so collar or harness doesn't matter. I prefer a collar. You can do a lot in the house to get the dog to follow you on a collar and loose leash with a treat at your side. If you think you'll be walking a little puppy on a leash with either a collar or a harness you're in for a rude awakening 😁. Letting it explore on its own in a safe place is a much better option (keep a house lead on it so you can fetch it). Then work leash training into the mix a little at a time.

 

you get my standard, "it depends on the dog" reply.
I've had puppies (Tito) who walked perfectly with a collar and leash from 8 weeks old. I've had puppies who still think they're a sled dog at 2 years old.
Meet Michael, then decide based on what HE needs, not what others' puppies have needed.

 

I would use a flat collar for an 8 week old assuming you have a small crate for car rides. If not then a harness buckled into a seat belt. But a small crate should work better for an 8 week old baby puppy

I use a harness since we are in and out of the car most days and she gets buckled into the back seat, and I don't want to keep taking it on and off. Really if your dog understands leash manners then whatever tool you prefer is fine.

 

I would use a flat collar for an 8 week old assuming you have a small crate for car rides. If not then a harness buckled into a seat belt. But a small crate should work better for an 8 week old baby puppy

I use a harness since we are in and out of the car most days and she gets buckled into the back seat, and I don't want to keep taking it on and off. Really if your dog understands leash manners then whatever tool you prefer is fine.

Harnesses are easier for car rides.

you get my standard, "it depends on the dog" reply.
I've had puppies (Tito) who walked perfectly with a collar and leash from 8 weeks old. I've had puppies who still think they're a sled dog at 2 years old.
Meet Michael, then decide based on what HE needs, not what others' puppies have needed.

Denver thinks she is a sled dog if she has a harness on