I don’t know much about dogs. But I saw a harness where the leash attached at the front of the dog’s chest. Maybe that was to turn them back around or to the side each time they raced ahead of the owner/pulled. Kind of as discouragement or to make it harder to act up.

Is that a thing?

Edit: Seems it is.

It’s called a front clip harness

https://www.vetstreet.com/gear/dog-gear/harnessing-the-walk-choosing-the-right-harness-for-your-dog#:~:text=Front-clip harnesses have the,face the owner if needed.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/best-harnesses-for-dogs-that-pull/#