Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:51 pm Post subject: Can anyone reccommend a good harness?
I understand that I've been posting alot recently and I will cut it down, but for the minute I'd appreciate any reccomendations for a harness as Buddy currently has a standard pets at home nylon one. But he seems to be doubling in size each week, so I'm looking to buy a new one.
Ideally I'd like it to be fleece lined because they just seem to look like they're comfier but I'm not entirely sure where stocks them (i'm assuming it'd be mostly online stores?)
Also, I wouldn't have a clue what size to get. I know size ranges, but an average would be appreciated until I can measure the wriggly little blighter
I appreciate any advice/reccommendations. Thanks!
I can't recommend a harness because I don't personally think they are that useful, I tend to feel they give a big strong lump of a dog something more to pull into than a collar does (although I can see how a harness might help with spooky dogs who may pull out of their collar)
Sorry to hijack your thread, but I just wondered Sue why you say not to use one on a young pup? Not having a go at all you understand , am curious as I've never heard that said before. Thanks
sue51 wrote:
Is he a puppy?
You shouldn't really be using any body harnesses on a young pup.
Sorry to hijack your thread, but I just wondered Sue why you say not to use one on a young pup? Not having a go at all you understand , am curious as I've never heard that said before. Thanks
No need to apologise - I have heard this said in the past that they can affect the bones / joints. While I have no access to scientific evidence to support this - if you think through the advice given on careful exercising of a pup, and the strain a harness would put on the dog (people generally only use them if there is a control problem with a normal lead) then it makes sense to me.
In truth, a puppy should be trainable with a proper lead / collar or slip lead - if they are being held correctly, then it actually takes very little strength however strong they are / small the owner is - and they don't actually teach the dog anything about walking properly.
The only one of mine I struggle with is the boy - not because he pulls, because in fairness, most of the time he doesn't - but he's a hooligan - and when the girls are with us - while he doesn't try at home, on a lead walk he seems to think they are fair game
Edited to add - I can certainly see their use on older dogs / in certain situations - and did at one point resort to one with Hally until she ate through it it was at that point we decided to go for training on lead control - best £50 I ever spent
They are not fleece lined but I have never had any problems with them rubbing on skin. If you look down that page you can see where to measure the dog so you know what size you need. The lady that owns Mekuti is very nice and helpful if you have any questions.
Thanks Sue and I'm sure your post is useful to the OP too.
I had wondered if it was to do with joints etc and couldn't agree with you more re training being the best solution all round
When I was growing up we had a little Sheltie, she hadn't been socialised and was a bit scared of life. She always went out in a harness as she could back out of any collar
I appreciate the advice on not using the harnesses, thanks for that
But it was mainly just at puppy training because he pulls A LOT and ends up half choking himself. It's mainly just until he calms down around other pups. I'm working on the lead training of course and its not going too bad!
Charlotte - it wasn't a criticism of you in any way - I can totally understand how trying a strong dog can be (and in my experience, dogs are worse for this than bitches) - it's just something I had heard about body harnesses and while I have no scientific evidence to back it up - it does sort of make sense.
I've not had any experience of them myself, but it might be worth trying something like a head halt - ths won't place any pull on his joints / torso.
I am always a little nervous about advising with a puppy - but I think that might be worth a try and I know there are quite a few people who do use them and I understand the effects are quite remarkable
Hopefully someone will be along with advice - might be worth changing the title of the thread if this is something you are prepared to consider
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(although I can see how a harness might help with spooky dogs who may pull out of their collar)
