Making Sure we've got the best harness... - Pet forum for dogs cats and humans

PetFriendly · #1 August 26th, 2006, 07:28 PM

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone might be using something better than what I've got. Charley has a weak trachea and thus can't really be walked with a regular collar. He has decent leash manners but on occasion there is either a dog or kid he just can't resist and runs to the end of his leash. Right now he's in a step in harness that buckles on his back

Which pretty much does the job except I have to customize it for him as he's in between sizes (he's in between the smallest size and the next one up). Does anyone else have a dog with a similar issue and have a harness they just love that doesn't put pressure on the neck at all?!

raingirl · #2 August 26th, 2006, 08:04 PM

We have Odin in a Buddy Belt harness. I found it to be the most secure and easiest to control him. A little costly (ours was $109), but it's 100% thick leather, and will probably last forever!!

http://www.buddy-belts.com/m_21.asp

Here is Odin in his the day we got it.

Smiley14 · #3 August 26th, 2006, 08:16 PM

Raingirl, that harness looks awesome! I'll have to check it out, thanks!

Does it seem like it would be escape-proof? Petey is a bit of an escape artist with his collars and harnesses, so that is always my biggest concern. But I love the look of that one!

Petfriendly, for another suggestion, Petey has a sporn halter, which works well. I like that it has the sherpa fleece padding that goes under the armpits for comfort. And so far it's also been escape proof, unlike other basic harnesses from Petsmart that I've tried.

http://www.sporn.com/

I got mine at Petsmart though for $14.99. Here's Petey wearing it on our Houseboating trip earlier this summer! The red collar on top is not a part of the halter, that's just his regular collar.

PetFriendly · #4 August 26th, 2006, 09:45 PM

I like the leather one that Odin has, that looks like it might suit quite well, more pressure on the chest than the neck.

We've tried the sporn one and it puts too much pressure on the neck (he coughed in the store when I was trying to fit it on him and he got distracted by two rather playfull pups).

I'm not concerned about 'escape proof-ness' he's rather velcro-dog like by nature and doesn't want to get away from me, he just wants to get closer to what he's seen.

Smiley14 · #5 August 26th, 2006, 10:39 PM

Oh duh! Of course the sporn wouldn't work for you! I'm so sorry about that! I swear I don't know where my brain is sometimes, lol.

Good luck with the leather one! I'm thinking of giving it a try myself. I really like the way it looks.

marko · #6 August 27th, 2006, 06:45 AM

We also sell a harness (The Easyway collar/harness) on this site and it may well suit your needs.

It is a VERY good product (or we wouldn't sell it) and some members have already purchased it. It is designed not to put any pressure on the neck.

Feel free to check it out. And members please feel free to report ANY experiences you've had with the product.

http://www.pets.ca/onlinestore/modul...od&product=156

Melei'sMom · #7 August 27th, 2006, 07:55 AM

went to look at the harness Marko linked, and as seems usual...mini is too big

Looks really good though

ShaggyRudy · #8 August 27th, 2006, 09:29 AM

Just some input on the Easy Walker harness..LOVE IT!! I would be unable to walk our pooch w/out it! We've tried proper training and the whole nine, but my hands were still ready to bleed after trying to walk him just around the block. With the Easy Walker - it's MUCH easier!! And Rudy doesn't sound like he's ready to collapse from shortness of breath either.

ShaggyRudy · #9 August 27th, 2006, 09:31 AM

ooops, I see now you were referring to the "Easyway", not the "Easy Walker". Probably the same concept, though. The Easy Walker is on sale at PetsMart stores here in the States. It doesn't even touch the dog's neck. It looks like a regular harness, but the leash attaches at the front on the chest. It basically keeps pup from trying to pull and jump up. Great product!
I think it's available online as well.

rainbow · #10 August 27th, 2006, 12:02 PM

I bought the EasyWay Headcollar from pets.ca and I absolutely love it. I use it for my husky and it is much better than the Gentle Leader.

I will be getting another EasyWay for my lab, who unfortuneatly, has to wear the Gentle Leader right now. I just wish the EasyWay came in beige so it would blend in with his fur better.

Puppyluv · #11 August 27th, 2006, 12:19 PM

The easyway is AMAZING!!! I love it, and it puts no pressure on the neck!!

Angies Man · #12 August 27th, 2006, 01:59 PM

I have the Easy Rider (medium size) from Petsmart (about $10 usd.) As a pet restraint for the car, I think it's pretty worthless. If would be great if the dog never moved, but dogs like to get up, turn around, sit, turn around, lie down, turn around. Within minutes the seatbelt is so twisted and tangled that the dog is hanging with front legs in the air. I'm thinking about a workaround with multiple swivels. For now, Angie likes to ride on the floor of the car on a couple of blankets and one of my particularly stinky sweatshirts.

As a walking harness, however, it is great. The webbing is wide and well padded, it's easy (with a little practice) to get the dog in and out of, and the fastener is good quality. There's a lot of range of adjustment (good for those of us with growing puppies.)

papillonmama · #13 August 27th, 2006, 02:30 PM

We use the lupine on Dory, because she has a chewing habit and at least once a year she gets a hold of her harness and eats it, so it has a life-time warranty which is very cool, it's also very sturdy and pretty too, it was 20 something and I like it, and I think she does too, it doesn't help with pulling, but it's not designed for that, but she no longer hurts herself when she does pull.

http://www.doggoneclean.com/browsepr...g-Harness.HTML

Prin · #14 August 27th, 2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melei'sMom

went to look at the harness Marko linked, and as seems usual...mini is too big

Looks really good though

There are other sizes out there- there's a nano and a micro too: http://www.newtrix.ca/docs/ourproducts03.php

PetFriendly · #15 August 27th, 2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angies Man

As a pet restraint for the car, I think it's pretty worthless. If would be great if the dog never moved, but dogs like to get up, turn around, sit, turn around, lie down, turn around. Within minutes the seatbelt is so twisted and tangled that the dog is hanging with front legs in the air. I'm thinking about a workaround with multiple swivels.

but, I use a healing leash for Charley. I string the seat belt through the handle and clip it onto his harness. Since its designed for large dogs I figure it'll hold his weight in case of an accident, plus, the clip is on a swivel!

PetFriendly · #16 August 27th, 2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papillonmama

We use the lupine on Dory, because she has a chewing habit and at least once a year she gets a hold of her harness and eats it, so it has a life-time warranty which is very cool, it's also very sturdy and pretty too, it was 20 something and I like it, and I think she does too, it doesn't help with pulling, but it's not designed for that, but she no longer hurts herself when she does pull.

That one looks pretty cool, and there are stores around here that carry that make so maybe I'll see if they have the harnesses too. Charley is a little bigger, especially around the chest than a toy breed (19" chest) so we'll have to see.

PetFriendly · #17 August 27th, 2006, 07:35 PM

Is this the sort of thing I'd have to take on and off each time we'd go out?

How well would it work on a dog with a short snout? See picture below

Prin · #18 August 27th, 2006, 07:50 PM

You have to find a pet store that has it and try it on before buying, IMO... Just to see if it fits.

You do take it off when inside (it's a face thing), but it's not hard to slip on and off.

PetFriendly · #19 August 27th, 2006, 08:33 PM

The only place I've ever heard/seen it is here, so I guess I better start calling around. I found a petstore with new owners who are really keen on contacting suppliers for you if you want something specific, so maybe I'll start there. I'm in the Ottawa area though if anyone has seen one around, please let me know!

rainbow · #20 August 27th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PetFriendly

How well would it work on a dog with a short snout?

You could contact the manufacturer ( www.newtrix.ca ) and ask them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prin

You have to find a pet store that has it and try it on before buying, IMO... Just to see if it fits.

Then you could tell them you don't want it and come here and order it from pets.ca

rainbow · #21 August 27th, 2006, 09:23 PM

I forgot to say, the price here at pets.ca is $44.95 which includes shipping and handling, which very well may be cheaper than a pet store.

Prin · #22 August 27th, 2006, 09:29 PM

I don't know about now, but I paid $45+tax for Boo's in the spring.

Or you could just order two and send back the one that doesn't fit.

rainbow · #23 August 27th, 2006, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melei'sMom

went to look at the harness Marko linked, and as seems usual...mini is too big

Looks really good though

You should pm marko and ask if he can get you a smaller size (nano or micro) as it's probably cheaper here (44.95 includes shipping) than at a pet store.

rainbow · #24 August 27th, 2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

I don't know about now, but I paid $45+tax for Boo's in the spring.

I didn't know you had one for Boo. You never mentioned it here so that does that mean you don't like it? Did you get yours in a pet store? What do you use for Jemma?

Quote:

Or you could just order two and send back the one that doesn't fit.

But then you gotta pay the shipping to send it back. If PetFriendly tries it on in the store first then she'll know what size to order.

Prin · #25 August 27th, 2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainbow

I didn't know you had one for Boo. You never mentioned it here so that does that mean you don't like it? Did you get yours in a pet store? What do you use for Jemma?

LOL LOL I love it. I'm the one who encouraged you to get yours, remember? lol I just never posted pics of it because it's black and Boo's black, and well... you know... Jemma usually is either off leash or just with her tiny choker. She's a good girl.

rainbow · #26 August 27th, 2006, 11:59 PM

OK, now I remember, it was you and Daisy Mae that recommende when I first posted.

http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread....way+headcollar

But, still, you never have said how much you like them, so that's probably why I forgot.

So, when you walk your dogs, is Jemma usually off leash and Boo on the EasyWay? Or, if Boo is on the EasyWayand Jemma on a choke chain don't you find it awkward walking them?

Prin · #27 August 28th, 2006, 12:03 AM

I love it for Boo. He doesn't lunge at squirrels and things. Makes for much more peaceful walking.

If Jemma is off leash, she walks just a head past Boo (of course

) but if she's on leash, she's on my left and Boo's on my right. It's pretty easy walking them.

PetFriendly · #28 August 28th, 2006, 07:54 PM

I'm lazy though and I can just see it now catching dust on the dog hooks because it takes to long to put on when he's just going out for a quick jaunt to pee... You know what they say, sometimes its harder to train the owner than the dog...

What about the new gentle leader harness? Anyone have one of those? we tried one on, doesn't put any presure on his neck at all but I can see the leash getting tangled in his feet if i don't keep it taught (due to his proximity to the ground, my lovely little short legged dog