Dog harness

DontDropTheQuaffle

I've got two dogs; one loves his harness whereas the other's a stubborn one and won't walk with it and prefers a slip lead. They may pull a bit hard at times but I haven't been dragged as such by them before.
There's a few up at the sanctuary though who are really strong - I got one out of the kennel and she dragged me all out of the door and down the path before I grabbed the wall and somebody got me a gentle leader for her. She was a dream on the lead after that. It's quite simple to put on and the dog walks to heal with it on, even if they try to paw it off to begin with, keep walking and they'll get used to it. You can pick them up for a few quid on ebay, new.
There's also a halti which has got the same basic principle as a gentle leader so whichever. I prefer the gentle leaders for dogs who pull personally.
My dog who's got a harness is a real pulling one when he gets going as he's quite obsessed with other dogs when he's out as well and the harness isn't great for stopping him.

chatbug

Hi Rising,
Just wondered if you have got a new harness or head collar for Maisie and how are you getting on. My problem is the same as yours just an over friendly mutt. I still need to get one for Oscar but at the moment not supposed to be walking. Have a bad knee and told not to walk but having to take him on a short walk in the morning so really have to get one so he does not pull me. Just do not know what to get so was wondering if you have had any luck. Thanks

dizziblonde

Yes I have one of the above - I use it occasionally as I've got a few different harnesses I chop and change around - as an anti-pull deterrent it is naff all use whatsoever though. I wouldn't use it with a puller anyway because of the potential for "underarm" chaffing... but for my dog who plods along quite happily it's ok because it sits quite loosely on him.

rising_from_the_ashes

Chatbug - funnily enough, just got one today!

Really wanted to wait until I could get to PAH to have a look at them (and forgot last week when there - of course, remembered when I was 1/2 way home).

However, after nearly been pulled over yesterday, I really need something (not so bad if we're on hard ground like a pavement, where I can anchor myself - but in the woods etc where it's so muddy = slippy just now, it's practically impossible to hold her).

I ended up going with the Halti as I really want something that's there when needed but not something that's going to restrict her all the time as she's fine when there's nothing around to investigate!

Not quite sure how I'll even manage to get it on TBH:eek: but I'll let you know how it goes!:)

krlyr

Introduce it slowly and make positive associations - just like how a dog gets giddy when you pick up the lead, you should aim for that to be the reaction to the Halti. Mine get excited when I grab their headcollars because they know it means walkies, and shove their snouts in for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw3ovsOvTss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMR2My1beiU

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks krlyr unfortunately we've hit a bit of a snag .... it's too long in the nose & sits way to far down her snout (and she can literally just flick it off with her paw).

She does have quite a short nose compared with some of her breed - unfortunately that bit doesn't seem to adjust (just the bit that goes behind their head).

So I guess it'll have to be another trip to PAH to change it.

krlyr

The Gentle Leader is fuly adjustable so might be a better fit, if I remember rightly it's a bit like a figure of 8. Otherwise, the Dogmatic comes in two sizes, e.g. 3 and 3L, 4 and 4L - different sized snout & neck parts. I used Casper's Dogmatic on a foster Rottie and it wasn't too bad a bit on her shorter nose (though I think a size down around the neck would have been better)

jenhug

Caroline_a wrote: »

If you're getting dragged on a normal collar, a harness will make it easier for her to pull you! They don't use harnesses on dog sledges to make it more difficult to pull...

I'm a Dogmatic fan, it means I can walk both of mine together (total weight about 90 kg!!) and still keep control if one or both of them sees something that they want to investigate.

I am a dogmatic fan too. My dog was a giant breed and with this on i could hold the lead with my little finger if i chose!

elsien

I use a halti with mutt - she tolerates it due to a lot of bribery and it works for us, but mutt is not a fan!
The main problem I have found is that she's fine with it on the pavement but as soon as we get to a patch of grass she tries to hit the deck and rub her face on the grass till it comes off. Which it does, fairly easily due to her stupid shaped head. (The first time she did it I went into panic mode as I hadn't put the collar attachment on so I had a boisterous off lead mutt with no recall next to a busy road.)
I'm wise to the little git now, and am ready for her, but it's something to be aware of if it doesn't fit well.

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks all .... will have a hunt around - it's really difficult trying to get something online as she's obviously not got a standard sized snout (if there is such a thing!) so not sure what size to order - at least with PAH, I can take it back and swap fairly easily (hopefully!).