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Old March 24th, 2008, 06:10 PM
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wdawson wdawson is offline
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leash vs harness

so i'm getting tired of beathoven backing out of his collar, he did it yesterday again,i hate to tighten his collar to much and the next hole is too loose....the collars that are the snap buckle kind are ok for about a month then they loosen just by pulling on them.....so my question is,do people here use a harness on a 65lb dog and what are the pros and cons,and a recommendation on a good quality one.
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Old March 24th, 2008, 06:37 PM
joeysmama joeysmama is offline
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I use a harness for Cooper but he's only 12 pounds. Joey used to back out of his collar, once while crossing a busy road !! Also, Joey had issues and wouldn't let anyone else put his leash on because he didn't like people reaching for the ring on the collar. So we switched to a harness because it was easier for people to get the leash on him when I wasn't home.

Now with Cooper the groomer tells me that she feels the harness is healthier given the breed propensity for respiratory problems because it's less constricting. It just looks a lot more comfy to me. I found one that's very soft and stretchy, covered in fabric, not plastic or leather. It's made by Yuppie-Pyppu.
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Old March 24th, 2008, 06:45 PM
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Kinguni Kinguni is offline
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Tried a harness with Shabbado (75lb Shepherd cross), not enough control. Halti works best with her on walks right now, as much as she hates it. Her regular collar is a snap buckle collar and we don't find it loosening much, but it doesn't allow us to control her when she reacts to things on a walk. Maybe if you have a problem with the dog backing out you should give a Martingale collar a try?
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Old March 24th, 2008, 06:50 PM
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I use harnesses for Basil and Streets for most walks, but put them on a flat collar when in a situation where they need to be paying attention more and under closer control.

I really prefer harness for the most part, but if your dog isn't already fairly good at following voice commands, it would likely be rather frustrating to use one as they can pull more easily, don't feel pressure on the leash as much and, if you use collar corrections at all, that's gone too.

My experience is that the regular nylon harnesses are just annoying and flimsy seeming. I've used and like a RoughWear harness and a Pet Friendly 3in1 Vest Harness.
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Old March 24th, 2008, 08:03 PM
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Tommysmom Tommysmom is offline
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Ages ago when I asked about harnesses somebody suggested a seatbelt harness - similar to, but not the same one as the 3in1 vest that Pitgrrl mentioned. I know Tommy's not as big as Bea is, but the seatbelt harnesses are strong and tend to be padded a bit so they're comfy. My neighbour uses one on her rhodesian ridgeback who's about a year or so old now and quite the handful!

This is the one we have:
https://www.businessvision.net/Edge/...CategoryID=305
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Old March 24th, 2008, 08:37 PM
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growler~GateKeeper growler~GateKeeper is offline
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When I had Cally, 70lbs DalxLab, pulling was his issue (and depending on the direction he did back out of his collar a few times too) the Halti was what worked for him - there was no way for him to get out of it & I had way more control than a harness not only directional but also not allowing garbage/bones to be picked up. Cally didn't like it @ first but within the first block of walking with it on the first time he liked it and I'm sure he realized he couldn't choke himself anymore

I grew up with Sibes, so to me a harness is used for pulling unless it is on a very small dog or a cat.
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Old March 24th, 2008, 11:58 PM
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Lucy has one of those heads that is easy to slip out of her collar with as well. I found the martingale collars worked the best as they stayed loose until you needed them snug. I personally prefer the fabric limited slip type versus the chain martingale.

http://reviews.ebay.ca/HoundWear-apo...00000003011966

Be very careful with these though if Bea and Maggie play around each others necks. They are much more likely to cause problems (jaws caught/choking etc) then a regular flat buckle collar.
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  #8  
Old March 25th, 2008, 04:00 PM
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satchelp satchelp is offline
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Try the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness (not the head harness Gentle Leader). The leash attaches to a ring at the front of the harness instead of where it typically connects (on the dog's back). It really is an anti-pulling harness. When the dog tries to pull, his front end gets pulled to the side and he will get nowhere. They work very well.
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  #9  
Old March 25th, 2008, 04:54 PM
SnowDancer SnowDancer is offline
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My Eskimo has been wearing the Canine Equipment - Pet Friendly 3in1 Vest Harness since he was 8 months old - he has multi colours! They also double as a seat belt and wash well and he can't get out of them. This is the same harness that PitGirl uses. Definitely comes in a size big enough to fit your dog and I have seen the big guys wearing them. You can see them at www.caninefriendly.com. They are made by a Cdn. company based in BC. There should be a list of stores that sell them for proper fitting purposes - my Eskie's groomer sells them so it is easy for us.
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Old March 25th, 2008, 04:58 PM
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Kinguni Kinguni is offline
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We have the 3 in 1 Vest Harness for Shabbado to wear in the car but haven't tried walking her with it.
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  #11  
Old March 25th, 2008, 05:08 PM
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wdawson wdawson is offline
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thanks for the input now i have something to look into.
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Wayne
Dad To :
George 18 year beagle, Rest in peace little buddy....love
Beathoven 7 year old mutt
Maggie 5 year jack russell
Felix 15 year tabby
Ozzie 12 year tabby
Tigger 10 year long hair cat
marley just a pup
sasha grand pup___________________________________________________________
Lettin the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin it back in.

Most of the stuff people worry about ain't gonna happen anyway.
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  #12  
Old March 26th, 2008, 05:33 PM
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I use harnesses on both of the boys. Rudy mainly cuz he is broad chested with a small neck and head, easy to slip away. Simon got a harness to match Rudy, lol. Laney is easier to walk on a leash and doesn't back up like Rudy does. Works well for us.

Diane
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Old March 26th, 2008, 06:48 PM
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SolaMio SolaMio is offline
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I'm having fairly good luck with the Holt harness (body harness, goes under "arm pits" - if dogs have those ). This is also supposed to be an anti-pull harness, but I'm interested in the Gentle Leader one.

Sola is 7 mos and 55 lbs (still growing). I was using a martingale collar, using the directions from my trainer and from the product itself, and it was a nightmare for me. Sola pulled with all her might and I had no control of her at all. Not to say that it couldn't work for someone else, but not for my buddy.

I also tried a head harness (Halti) but she was able to flick it off with her paw. I may try it again if the harness doesn't keep working, I think she may be too young for it yet. She still does pull quite a lot at first with the Holt, but improves a bit.

I have to put the leash around my back because she puts too much strain on my hand/shoulder. She also managed to back out of the harness once and scared me half to death (we were along a pretty busy road).

So, long story short, I feel your pain
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  #14  
Old March 26th, 2008, 06:51 PM
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Elizabeth Ann Elizabeth Ann is offline
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Me Too

Quote:
Originally Posted by satchelp View Post
Try the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness (not the head harness Gentle Leader). The leash attaches to a ring at the front of the harness instead of where it typically connects (on the dog's back). It really is an anti-pulling harness. When the dog tries to pull, his front end gets pulled to the side and he will get nowhere. They work very well.
I would suggest this as well. Does wonders (but dogs really hate it at first)
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  #15  
Old March 26th, 2008, 06:54 PM
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duttypaws duttypaws is offline
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hmm my dog back at my mums is a strong strong dog.. he wears a half chocker when out walking... the harness just gave him toooooo much power when he pulled....
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  #16  
Old March 27th, 2008, 10:08 PM
edwpang edwpang is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by satchelp View Post
Try the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness (not the head harness Gentle Leader). The leash attaches to a ring at the front of the harness instead of where it typically connects (on the dog's back). It really is an anti-pulling harness. When the dog tries to pull, his front end gets pulled to the side and he will get nowhere. They work very well.
I also use easy walk harness for Butter(70lbs), it's way better than the plain collar.
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  #17  
Old April 10th, 2008, 12:59 PM
edwpang edwpang is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edwpang View Post
I also use easy walk harness for Butter(70lbs), it's way better than the plain collar.
Just this morning, we met a chocolate lab on the sidewalk. Both Butter and the lab were very excited. I was able to contain Butter with one hand, but the owner of the lab had to pull really hard, even though the lab wore a choke chain.
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  #18  
Old April 10th, 2008, 01:18 PM
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Melinda Melinda is offline
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I've always used the halti harnes (body not head) that clips to the collar, my lab use to back out of her collar till I put a martindale (sp?) on her, but she will pull on walks, the minute I put the harness on her she is like a dream to handle, she associates it with training sessions *S*
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  #19  
Old April 10th, 2008, 05:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SolaMio View Post
I also tried a head harness (Halti) but she was able to flick it off with her paw. I may try it again if the harness doesn't keep working, I think she may be too young for it yet. She still does pull quite a lot at first with the Holt, but improves a bit.

I have to put the leash around my back because she puts too much strain on my hand/shoulder. She also managed to back out of the harness once and scared me half to death (we were along a pretty busy road).

So, long story short, I feel your pain
When using a Halti, make sure you have the safety link which connects to the harness/collar in case your pup slips out of the head harness.

My dog has a lot of loose skin around his neck and have to use harness.(collars choke him) He is so strong that I have to use a Halti to walk him since he's 10 m.o. You have to adjust it according to instruction to make it hard to slip out. If he wants, he still could. But the safety link keep him attached and with addition verbal control he'll be O.K. I found it helpful to get him to "sit" for a while to calm down if he gets excited for anything.
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