training my maltese on the leash

Question
i am trying to train my maltese male pup to walk on his leash. sometimes he's great at it, walking in a straight line, other times he tries to run (at full speed) in whichever direction he wants to go in. i use a harness on him because i have heard that regular collars could choke these smalls dogs - plus their trachea could collapse. but i feel like he's choking himself on the harness when he pulls - or when i pull on the harness to make him stop. i don't want him choking or his trachea collapsing just to go on his walk. . .
please help!

Answer
Well the good thing is that a harness gives you more controll.
It may take time for him to get used to it remember all the dogs you see on a leash once were never used to it!!
i suggest hold him close to you if you need wrap the lead around your hand they should learn to walk by your side as this will teach them to stay by their master if ever let off the lead.
Is there somewhere quiet you can go so that you can practise this when ever he does wrong pull the lead a little and say heel or no or whatever floats your boat on that one lol.
Eventualy he will get the message and he will relate the pulling to the bab behaviour.
Also take treats ou and practise young him coming to you off the lead saying Come here and when he comes giving a treat this will prevent any incidents in the future ie if you run into other dogs.
Sometimes when you need them to come they end up runnning in the other direction lol and you chase so they run more thinking its a game lol.
Good luck let me know if this helps.