Good harnesses?

[Tommysmom]

For 4 months we've been trying to walk Tommy, my 6 month old JRT. He HATES it. He won't walk. We've had training classes, and literally forced him to walk by just not stopping when he does, and it worked for a little while... but then he got really sick and wasn't allowed outside for a few weeks. Now we're back to not walking. He just sits, pulls backwards, turns around, whatever - anything but walk. We've tried treats, rewards, making a fuss when he takes a few steps, ignoring him, standing still when he pulls, etc etc... nothing works. Tonight he literally started choking himself until he started gagging and throwing up. I swear somebody's going to call Animal Control on us after the scene we just had! Obviously we can't keep putting pressure on his collar, and the only harness I've found that actually fits him that he can't squirm out of is his car harness, but the loop for the leash is not in the middle of his back it's at the end which makes it almost useless to try and walk him. I need to find a harness that is squirm-proof but has the metal d-ring in the middle, near the shoulder blades. Anybody have any recommendations? I think I have the only dog who HATES going outside .

[technodoll]

i have the exact harness you are looking for it's awesome, works superbly on dakotah ordered it from Pet Supply House, here is the link:

https://www.businessvision.net/Edge/...CategoryID=292

[Tommysmom]

That looks awesome, Technodoll! It's hard to tell from the pictures on the website, is that the car harness? Is it easy to put on? Does it adjust well? It looks so great on Dakotah, it's exactly what I had in mind!

[technodoll]

s that the car harness? Is it easy to put on? Does it adjust well?

yes, it's the car harness - it comes in two parts so you have the option of just using the harness for walking The harness itself is a "step-in" model, super easy to put on, only one snap up between the shoulder blades. very easy to adjust, like a nylon dog collar, and the sizing stays put (doesn't slip). the front part is padded so very gentle on the body. i LOVE it and so does dakotah!

[rainbow]

TD, I remember all the issues you had with Dakotah pulling. Does this harness really help with that?

[technodoll]

actually yes, it does i think he's more comfortable with this arrangement and doesn't try to pull as much anymore, we can use a traffic leash which also keeps him closer with less tangles. just wish we had done this a long time ago

[rainbow]

Glad you finally found something that works.

[SnowDancer]

I use the Canine Friendly Safety Harness produced by Canine Equipment. It is fabric, pulls over the head like a bib and does up in back - and doubles as a car seat. We have 3 for our Eskimo. They wash very well which is a good thing - and he can't get out of it, which is even better. www.canineequipment.com - and follow the links. Canine Equipment does make a couple of the strappier types of harnesses, but this one works the best for our guy.

[Tommysmom]

Thanks guys!

Snowdancer, I have one just like yours. I love it for the car, it's so comfy for him and fits great! Unfortunately the loop is just too far back to be effective - it would be great if he was pulling from the front, but since we literally have to drag him behind us to get him to walk it doesn't work very well.

Technodoll, we got one like yours! It's great... he sat down and I still had to drag him for a bit, but he seems to realize that I can drag him as long as I need to and he can't choke himself to make it stop! Tonight I managed to get about 2 minutes of you-can't-make-me-if-I-don't-wanna and then a really nice loose-leash, right by mommy's side walk down the street. Yay! And I don't have to feel guilty about tugging on his neck ! Thank you!

[pacemaker]

I had the same problem with my dog, fitted the harness & she responded really well, made me stop worrying about her nearly chocking herself on the lead with collar. However, like all dogs, she loves to have a roll on the grass & a play with the other dogs in the park, (she is still to young to trusted off the lead) and every now and then she would nearly wriggle out of the harness. Rather than tighten harness up to the point where she was uncomfortable, I purchased a double dog lead adapter. "O" ring with two short leads coming from it to two small clips. I attach the "O" ring with the main lead clip to the back of the harness, and the two small clips to her collar. It has enough length so that it does not pull on her collar when walking, but if she should ever wriggle out her harness, I have a "backup" with the lead still attached to her collar. So now I'm more relaxed about her having a roll on the grass. I wish I could say that about what she rolls in sometimes.

[technodoll]

tommysmom, that is great news! am VERY happy you like the harness and it is already giving good results. if it is fitted properly, your boy should be able to roll in the grass, wrestle with other dogs, run, walk, play etc without wriggling out of the harness or it slipping off his body

[raingirl]

You can also try "Buddy Belts". I have one for my dog, it's great. and they come in 9 sizes to fit any dog, a variety of colours/leather/suede/patent leather...all kinds of looks are availble.

http://www.buddy-belts.com/

They are thick leather and will last forever! I got a red one for my white bulldog. It's a little stiff at first, but once it is softened up, it's super comfy!