No Tug Harness

[paiger]

Our dog is 5, and we just started using one of the over the shoulder harnesses like this:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/ardathpaige/LJ%20Picts/harness-1.jpg

It's just a cheapo from Petsmart, and leo HATES it. When we first started using it, he was kinda like whatever. Now, he runs from us if we go to put it on him. If we are going out for a normal walk to do his business, once he gets out the door, he's totally happy. But, if he's just going out to pee. He won't go. He just stands there and turns his head to look at the harness. It's so weird.

The harness we have it too big, I know. When we got it, I was afraid to get it too small for his rib cage b/c his shape is really thin at his hips and neck, but his rib cage sticks out.

I really want him to like his harness, b/c it's better for taking him on walks. We sometimes have to tug to get him to not eat grass, and I don't want to do that to his neck.

Are their better companies for these harnesses? Has anyone gotten a harness that their dog started to like.

[Foley42]

Hmmm, Abby wears one and she loves it because she knows she's going outside when we put it on her. We call it her bra, lol.

Is it rubbing Leo underneath or making him raw?

[fuzzy]

We have two. The first one we got was seomthing similar to this (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14142&s_kwcid=dog%20harnesses|914573721&Ntt=harness&ref=3928&cm_mmc=PPC-_-Google-_-Dog-_-dog%20harnesses&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&subref=AA&N=2001&Nty=1). I think it could work for a lot of dogs, but my dog has narrow shoulders and a large rib cage, so it never fit right and wasn't good at correcting pulling (which was what we were trying to address).

The second one we purchased was this one (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12052&s_kwcid=dog%20harnesses|914573721&Ntt=harness&ref=3928&cm_mmc=PPC-_-Google-_-Dog-_-dog%20harnesses&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&subref=AA&N=2001&Nty=1). I love it. When the dog pulls and/or is acting up, you tug on the leash and the harness puts pressure on their chest/shoulders (not the neck). Our headstrong pup totally responds to it.

I'm not going to tell you she loves it, mostly because it keeps her contained and she hated being contained. But, she very willingly lets us put it on her and is not bothered by it at all when we are on walks.

[sublime311]

Our dog didn't respond well to the harness (she still pulled, but reared up instead of choking herself) so we tried a Halti (http://www.allourpets.com/htmls/halticollar.shtml) with great success. With basic training, she'll now walk next to us instead of out front choking herself or rearing back.

Halti at PetSmart.com (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 5200&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032900&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1187269905207&itemNo=0&Ntt=halti&In=All&previousText=halti&N=2)

[paiger]

Is it rubbing Leo underneath or making him raw?

I don't think it is actually hurting him b/c there are no tender areas, but it must not be comfortable. Since it's too big, it moves up right under his legs, which might bother him.

fuzzy That one that you got looks like it's designed better. We definitely have the issue with the narrow shoulders with a pronounced rib cage. Do you go the size up or the size down? The one we got we went with the larger size, but I think it must stretch out some b/c now its even too big on his ribs.

[paiger]

sublime311 I'll have to look into a harness like that, if we can't get a shoulder one that he likes.

We really don't have a problem with him really pulling unless he gets really excited b/c there's a dog or something around. It's more that he'll get in the grass and start grazing, so we give him a little tug to keep moving to not eat grass.

[fuzzy]

Do you go the size up or the size down?

I went with a size down because my dog is narrow everywhere -- neck included -- except her rib cage. Since it goes under the legs and almost "in front" of the rib cage, I went with the smaller size and so far it's worked.

I know you aren't looking to correct pulling. What I like about that harness is that while Daisy has since stopped pulling (for the most part), she still has some moments (including grass grazing) where her attention isn't on us. A little tug on the leash constricts the straps that go under her legs and sort of wakes her up a bit and re-directs her attention back to us. So, I think it has uses beyond pulling correction.

[TazLuv]

We have the gentle leader that fuzzy mentioned she didn't like. We only put it on her when we're taking her for a walk, but she is a smaller dog (28# beagle). However it helps IMMENSELY with her pulling. If you buys things at Petco or PetSmart they'll let you return them for any reason, I'm not sure if they have the 2nd one fuzzy mentioned but I know PetCo at least has the gentle leader.

[paiger]

I went with a size down because my dog is narrow everywhere -- neck included -- except her rib cage. Since it goes under the legs and almost "in front" of the rib cage, I went with the smaller size and so far it's worked.


This is the best picture I have in photobucket that shows his ribcage..is this similar to your dog with the rib cage? I think it looks like since that harness does go around the legs that it should have to go over his rib cage.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/ardathpaige/LJ%20Picts/47b4d630b3127cce99cfbd84f6250000001.jpg

What you described with Daisy is exactly what we want in a harness. I will definitely give that a try.

[skyblu]

I know this is not really what you're asking, but our dog still used to pull a LOT with a chest harness. In fact, it was sort of like strapping a cart onto a horse. He felt like he had to pull his load, or something!

The Halti headcollar has been our salvation. Blue sometimes makes a fuss about it (mostly when he knows we're paying attention, he's a bit dramatic), but overall, he's happy walking with it and never pulls me and the walks are awesome.

FWIW, my dog is 80 pounds of pure muscle, so before the Halti I just could not take him out by myself. This has been a complete miracle, and I highly recommend it.

[kk junebug]

our puggle wears a harness. when he was a puppy he pulled and pulled, he'd practically gag himself down the street. we still use it for safety, in case he wants to dart at some birds, etc.

we tried many things and found the most success with one called
"Four Paws No Pull Trainers" available at Petco.
it looks flimsy-only a thin nylon strap that wraps around his belly and over his shoulders, but it works WONDERS!

we tried the gentle leader, but his snout is too small, we reluctantly tried the prong collar and he HATED it (as did we). we couldnt believe our eyes when this harness worked on the FIRST TRY!
AND the best part is, for whatever reason he never put up a fight for us to put it on! Now, he gets excited cuz he knows he's going outside! he'll even lift up his paws to help put it on him. its insane.

The Four Paws No Pull Trainer caught my eye cuz the box had a Great Dane on it and it said "your dog will never pull again!".....plus it was only around $10. so i was willing to take the chance. and man was it worth it!
(i sound like an infomercial!)
GOOD LUCK

[fuzzy]

This is the best picture I have in photobucket that shows his ribcage..is this similar to your dog with the rib cage?

Eh, not really. I wish I had a good picture, but I don't have one on my work comptuer. How to explain...Daisy's rib cage is actually broader than her shoulders, so if you run your hand down her side, lengthwise, right behind her shoulder her body "bumps" out.

But, regardless, I think it'll work for Leo because the straps that go under his front legs are adjustable. As long as you get his neck size right, he should be comfortable.

[Hello Kitty]

That's funny, Foley, we call our dog's harness a bra too. :)

But her harness is absolutely meant for pulling - it just makes it easier for her to do her 'job' (which is pull me around on my bike). To correct pulling on a walk, we use a prong collar and it's been great. I've never understood how a harness is supposed to stop a dog from pulling.

[TazLuv]

That's funny, Foley, we call our dog's harness a bra too. :)

But her harness is absolutely meant for pulling - it just makes it easier for her to do her 'job' (which is pull me around on my bike). To correct pulling on a walk, we use a prong collar and it's been great. I've never understood how a harness is supposed to stop a dog from pulling.

I don't know about the harness that was originally pictures but the Gentle Leader works on pressure points, because of where the leash attaches and the pressure that causes the dog doesn't pull. Harness that hook on the back wouldn't have the same effect. The Gentle Leader is done by the same company that does the competing product to the Halti headcollar which also work on pressure points.

[Kate&Joey]

I think that if your *goal* is to get your dog to pay attention and do what you want him to (i.e. not stop all the time to eat grass), then a Halti or Gentle Leader is your best bet. When you pull the lead, it forces the dog's head to go in that direction; not like a leash that pulls on the dog's neck. My mom had great success with a Gentle Leader. Her golden retriever was seriously crazy and was absolutely terrible on walks. A dog trainer actually diagnosed him with doggie ADD :rolleyes:. The Gentle Leader was a miracle for her. He pays more attention to her vs. his surroundings. Like a PP mentioned, PetsMart or similar will take returns if it doesn't work for you.

Good Luck!

[jesvet]

I'm a huuuuuge Gentle Leader fan myself, though I know a few people who have good luck with the harnesses. I only recommend harnesses for people who have smush faced breeds like pugs where a Gentle Leader won't really fit, but that's mostly a matter of preference. I find the GL a lot faster to get on and off than a harness, and when fitted properly it always works.

Make sure to follow the fitting instructions very carefully. If it's too loose or sitting over the wrong areas it won't work as well.

[Foley42]

That's funny, Foley, we call our dog's harness a bra too. :)
good to know we aren't the only silly ones ;)

[paiger]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We will definitely be trying them all until we find the best one for leo!

[TazLuv]

I should clarify ours is the Easy Walker which is the harness made by the same people that make the Gentle Leader. My dog would NOT wear the Gentle Leader - you'd put it on her and she'd literally turn into a statue, no prodding, treats, etc. could get her to move and our trainer said that isn't unheard of. The Easy Walker is a chest/shoulder harness but the leash ring is in the front, in the chest and so it applies pressure in different points then the Gentle Leader but has the same concept.

Good luck