Confused about harnesses

[iluvdogs]

Hi,
I have a 4 year old standard schnauzer mix (30 lbs). I am confused about harnesses. Right now she has a standard collar...but in the long run i hear she could end up with throat problems. A) what kind of harness should i get and B) will she wear it all the time or just for walks??

[Mattie]

I like the harness that I have put a picture up of one of my dogs with it on.

The main thing to watch with harnesses is that they are not too close to the front legs, many rub the dogs there and are really sore. The type I use has never rubbed any of my dogs and some have sensitive skins, the straps are well away from the front legs as well.

I prefer the type that goes down either side of the neck and not round the chest, I have found that those going round the chest are easy for a dog to pull into.

[iluvdogs]

so do i have my dog (Annie) wear the harness all the time...or just when we go for walks?

[Mattie]

Sorry, my dogs wear their harnesses for walks and travelling in the car except Merlin who can't wear a collar, I normally have a bandana on him but for occasions where I may need some form of control he wears his harness but his harness is different to the others.

This is Merlin in his harness, this was taken just after he came home after the operation on his spine.



One of Merlin's bandanas

[mbiggs]

Mattie,

Could you post the name of the halter you use and a possible seller, other than the forum you gave it another post?

I am having problems finding the right halter for my Tsu. The one I currently have is similar to yours except that the neck/chest strap and the belly strap meet on the back with a ring. So, when you pull, it pulls the neck/chest and belly at the same time. Don't know if that made sense, LOL. In any case, I like yours better, but could not find it on the link you posted before.


Thanks bunches,
mbiggs

[Mattie]

I have harnesses on my dogs, I won't use halters on them, and am in the UK so don't know were you will get one in the USA, sorry.

One of my dogs has just had a tracheactomy so the design of any harness she wears is very important now, most will cover the tracheactomy. The harness I already had for her is suitable, it the straps round her neck join well below the tracheactomy so doesn't interfer with it and allows her to breath.

[mbiggs]

Sorry Mattie, I misspoke. I meant harness.

Do you know of a place online that I could order the kind of harness that you have? I just can't seem to find exactly what you have in the picture you posted.

Thanks so much for all the info you post. It is very helpful.

mbiggs

[Fundog]

Mattie, my Annie has that exact same harness! It's so much more comfortable for her, and gives me so much more peace of mind regarding her neck and windpipe.

To answer the OP, I bought my harness (just like Mattie's) at Wal-mart, for $15.00 And Annie only wears it when she's on leash, which means going somewhere-- even if I let her off the leash at some point, she keeps the harness on, so it is a cinch to get the leash back on her in a hurry. The nice part about this particular harness, is there is no slack, dangly part to worry about snagging on something. When she's at home, she just wears her collar and tags, as required by law in our area.

[Mattie]

I was told I would have to buy a new harness for Ellie after she had the tracheotomy because only one didn't interfer with her breathing. My vet was really pleased when I put Ellie's harness on, it is well clear of the tracheotomy and doesn't interfer with her breathing. This is the same style harness.