Harness suggestions

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Suzette
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Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2011 6:45 am

Harness suggestions

Post by Suzette »

I've been using the Walkeez harness on Piper and though I love it, she doesn't. Because it has to go over her head, she is becoming very unhappy about her walks. I did all the desensitizing things when introducing the harness, and at first she tolerated it, but just barely. Putting it on is more acceptable to her than taking it off. That's when she just freaks out and pulls and struggles. No matter how slow I go or how gentle I am, she just gets very upset about this harness.

So . . . does anyone have a harness that they can recommend that's comfy for her, but connects in a way that I don't have to pull the thing over her head to get it on and off? I know there are some on the market like this, but I'd like to know if any of you have one that you would recommend.

And hey, if anyone has any ideas on how I can better get her to tolerate the Walkeez going over her head, (especially when it's coming off) I'm all for that too. Maybe there's a better way than how I approached it.

Thanks so much!
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
Logansmum
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by Logansmum »

I dont know where you are, but in the UK we have one that the dog 'steps' into and does up round the waist. It doubles as a car safety harness too. Heres a link. http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product_grou ... pg_id=1181
Andrea and Logan xx
Suzette
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by Suzette »

Thanks so much Logansmum. I'm in the US, but that looks like they type of harness I'm thinking of. And I like that it's padded and can also be used as a car harness.

I really appreciate that you took the time to respond! :D
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
Erica
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by Erica »

I've seen some of those types at typical pet stores here in the US. You could try calling local pet stores, if you don't want to buy off the internet, to see if they have that kind of harness. :)
Delta, standard poodle, born 6/30/14
Suzette
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Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2011 6:45 am

Re: Harness suggestions

Post by Suzette »

Thanks Erica. I love internet shopping, but not for some things, like a harness that may or may not fit properly once it arrives. :?

So I did go online to find a store that sold the Ezydog harness, and found one fairly close to my house. I took Piper with me this morning and had the woman fit it onto her in the store and then I walked her around in it for about fifteen minutes. It's a dream! Piper loves it. It fits her very well and no pulling it over her head! (She loves that part best! :mrgreen: ) Another really great feature to this harness is that it doubles as a car harness and comes with a seat belt attachment.

So thanks so very much to both of you for your help and suggestions! :D
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
Ari_RR
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by Ari_RR »

There is "easy walk", which doesn't require squeezing the dog's head through a hole (there are two straps, and the leash attaches in the front, rather then on the back). Our ridgeback used to wear one all the time when outside of the house.. He didn't mind wearing one. We recently switched to a different type, where you have to pull it over his head, and there is one strap. The reason we switched - it just seems to fit better. Ari doesn't mind this one either...

cheers
Eugene
Ari, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Sept 2010 - Dec 2018.
Miles, Rhodesian Ridgeback, b. Nov 2018
Suzette
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by Suzette »

I've been pretty happy with the Ezydog harness, but as Piper grows, I think it might be rubbing her behind her front legs. I see no sign of it except for the way she walks sometimes, like she's got a little hitch in her giddyup. :wink: She'll kind of sidle sideways and lift her front leg almost straight out beside her - it would be quite funny if I thought she wasn't in discomfort. And she may not be, it might just be a bit annoying to her because I check her after every walk and there are no red or sore spots at all. I've adjusted it to accommodate her growth, but she still does this several times throughout our walks.

I love the Walkeez harness and think I'm going to work with the clicker to get her comfortable with it going over her head. If anyone has any suggestion on accomplishing this, I'd love to hear it! :)

I know some folks who have the Easy Walk harness and really like it, but their dogs are big and strong and sometimes pull and Piper is small and walks pretty nicely on a loose leash. I guess I've just always thought of the Easy Walk as an anti-pulling aid instead of a general purpose harness. But I might be in the market for yet another harness if she continues to find this one uncomfortable and I just can't convince her to accept the Walkeez going over her head.

Sheesh, this is getting to be quite an unending (and pricey) adventure for us! :?
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
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minkee
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by minkee »

We have an ezydog quick harness (or something?) and I really like the way it's quick and easy to put on, and not too clunky. It's a very simple harness. However, like you, I'm worried about it rubbing on the back of her front legs. Her doggy elbows, so to speak. 0 of the harnesses at pets at home fit her, and there are no other options! It's very annoying, because like you say, it's something that really needs to be tried on, rather than ordered online.

For comfort, I quite like the look of the puppia harnesses http://www.elmoswardrobe.com/products/dog-harnesses_32/ - but they look like they might be a nightmare for your pup as they have to go over the head still (I think).

Also I think Scout must be an utterly bizarre shape, or something. None of the sizes seem to accomodate for her being skinny but deep chested.

If you find a miracle harness let me know!!
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minkee
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by minkee »

Just looked a bit more at that site and there are these ones: http://www.elmoswardrobe.com/products/s ... arness_51/

They don't go over the head, and don't have straps that can rub. They seem pretty good to me if you can find somewhere to try one on, and don't mind bright pink!

[edit - but too small for Scout! the search continues]
Suzette
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by Suzette »

Thanks Minkee - I'll go check out that link . . .
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
ClareMarsh
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by ClareMarsh »

I've had two of those for Ted (he grew out of the first) and they're great. He doesn't like stuff over his head either which is why I got that one. They're nice and soft and the large leg holes don't rub him, he's just worn one for a 8 hour (traffic nightmare should have been 3 hours) car journey and was fine. i think it was from "my doggies closet " on eBay as it was the only place I could find a plain black one, it looks like a little bullet proof vest lol :D (shipped it from the states).

Minkee they are quite deep chested, the lady whose shop it is was very helpful with sizing so might be worth messaging her as I got the impression she wouldn't sell something that wouldn't fit.

Sorry if this garbled, am on a phone with rubbish signal :|
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
Suzette
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by Suzette »

Minkee, when I was on the site you sent me, I found this sizing guide which I've copied and pasted below:

What size should I buy? Its easy measure your dog and follow the guide below:

SIZE = Neck Girth -Breast Girth- Body Belt
S = 25cm -32-42cm -9cm
M = 29cm 36-48cm- 11cm
L = 33cm-46-58cm-12cm
XL= 42cm-57-80cm-15.5cm
Dog harnesses from Puppia are intended for relatively small to medium breeds, here are a few examples to be used as a rough guide.

Small - Chi, Toy Yorkie, Pomeranian & New Puppies
Medium - Shitzu, King Charles Cavalier, Lhasa Apso, Pug
Large - Westie, Cocker Spaniel & Larger (Bigger/Chubby Medium Breeds)
Extra Large -Collie, Bulldog


So maybe one of these would fit Scout after all? I did notice that not all colors come in all sizes. You have to click on the ones you like and see the sizing chart for that particular color/pattern. Just thought I'd throw that out for you in case you are interested in this harness. :D
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
ClareMarsh
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by ClareMarsh »

Suzette,

Ted (now 4.5 lbs!) wears a small (he was originally in an XS). They are quite adjustable too. I would say the downside is I'm not sure how long they'll last if your dog goes through undergrowth, streams etc, not as long as a traditional harness I would guess, but I guess that's the price you pay for it being a soft harness.

Ted has now learnt to step into his (most of the time) so much better than fighting to get things over his head which we both hated!

Clare x
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
Suzette
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Re: Harness suggestions

Post by Suzette »

Thanks Clare. I'm looking into this harness, but I do wish I could find it in a pet store near me. I'm so reluctant to purchase this kind of item on line since I would really like to try one on her before committing to buy one. But I might just take the leap and give it a go. My other problem is that all the measurements for this harness are in metric and once again I'm cursing myself for not having learned this method of measurement. :? So I'll go look for a conversion chart and see if there is one that looks like it might be a good fit for Piper.

Honestly, sometimes I think I should just walk her in a collar instead of a harness. But then the thought of her dashing to the end of her leash one day and yanking her neck brings me right back to the internet searching for yet another harness she might actually like . . . :wink:
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
ClareMarsh
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Location: London, UK

Re: Harness suggestions

Post by ClareMarsh »

I know what you mean, however when I got the XS it was the only stepping one that had a chance of fitting ted so I had no choice. And I've always preferred harnesses to collars.

If you send me pipers measurements I'll convert them for you (then you've got them rather than me converting the harness table!). Will be tomorrow though as about to hit the sack after all that driving. There's one very tired chihuahua snuggled up next to me :P
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
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