Need Help Choosing A Harness!!!

[LeihaRyan]

I do a ton of activities with Drake; hiking, biking, walking, running... trying swimming this weekend (gonna be 91 here!!) Time to get him a great harness! I have narrowed it down to these two, but I'm definitely open to any and all suggestions.

http://www.fordogtrainers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=166_169&products_id=4944

I like the above one because there is a place in the front to hook a leash for walks (helps him not pull as much) plus two D rings on the sides and I can hook to the handle if I'm bike riding with him. I also like the idea of the chest strap being adjustable.... If anyone has one please leave me some feedback!!

http://www.amazon.com/Julius-K9-IDC...arness/dp/B00BMC753A/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I like this one because, face it, it's beautiful. However, it doesn't have the hook on the front or the chest strap. It seems to be a bit better quality than the other one though. Again, if anyone has this one please leave feedback!

My concerns when picking a harness are:
I don't want it to rub on his underarms, or slide up on his throat when we walk.
I want him to be comfortable on his walks/runs, because they are after all HIS walks and runs.
He pulls when we walk, only at the beginning, and I would like to stop using the prong collar (he pulls even with that on, and yes, I'm sure it is on correctly This may only be able to be fixed with training, but maybe the first harness would help?
BTW, Drake is now 1 yr 9 months, 107.1 Lbs, 21 inches around the neck and 37 inches around his chest! He is way too big!!! LOL.

Any input is welcome!!!

Thanks guys! I don't know what I would do without this site and all of you!

 

[MicheleM]

I've never used a harness but lots of people here have. Look forward to their responses.

 

[Marinegeekswife]

A harness is more likely to make his pulling worse not better. On the pinch, make sure you give him a corrective pop BEFORE he leans into the collar. In other words, just as you notice him starting to pull forward give the collar a pop and give him some sort of command like "easy" or "walk" or even "heel" if he knows that one. Dogs need to know what you want them to do, not just that they weren't doing what you wanted. Any dog can push into a pinch and pull if they aren't stopped before they lean into the collar. Once he is leaning into the collar the function of it is lost as the links cannot move to give him the corrective pinch.

If you read the first review on the first harness you find out that the harness did not teach him not to pull, they used a pinch to teach him not to pull while in harness. Honestly that goes against the purpose of a harness which is to encourage pulling (think sled dogs). You can teach a dog not to pull in a harness, you can teach a dog just about anything, but it is going to be a challenge and the harness will not help with pulling. We have http://www.eurodogdesigns.com/Hurtta-Padded-Harness--Colors_p_147.html that we use when we want the dogs to be more comfortable or not risk collars getting hooked on brush but still have tags on. We mainly use them for hiking off leash in the woods and riding long distances in the car. They are also reflective in case I need to detect them with a flashlight or they get loose near a street at night.

Good luck in your search!

 

[LeihaRyan]

A harness is more likely to make his pulling worse not better.

I figured that :-(... The main reason I want a harness is because he pulls me on roller blades and my bike and anything else on wheels!!! I will just have to use the pinch for walking.... maybe I should go with a smaller one for more "bite"??

 

[iceman]

I have couple of harnesses....Julius-K9 Harness (above) mainly for bite work training, but I also have a Hunter "Norwegian" harness (below),designed for sledge puling but its excellent for trackwork..

http://hunter.de/en/our-collection/unterkategorien/ext/1131006/3/0/11714434/Norwegian+harness .html

 

[Marinegeekswife]

I figured that :-(... The main reason I want a harness is because he pulls me on roller blades and my bike and anything else on wheels!!! I will just have to use the pinch for walking.... maybe I should go with a smaller one for more "bite"??

If it is an activity that requires pulling or one off leash then go for the harness for sure. Idk if he needs a smaller gauge. Are you sure that you're giving quick wrist pops for correction?

 

[LeihaRyan]

I try, and I'll take him for a walk today and assess what I'm doing....

 

[Marinegeekswife]

I try, and I'll take him for a walk today and assess what I'm doing....

If done correctly the leash should have tension for around a second. Anything longer and you're doing more pulling than popping and the collar will not function as intended.

 

[MeadowCat]

I'm a little late, here, but I have this harness: http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-collars-dog-harnesses/urban-trail-custom-fleece-dog-harness.html

It's really awesome and is multi-functional. I chose the optional D-ring on the front, which allows it to function as a no-pull harness. It also has a D-ring on the side for biking. It is BY FAR the most padded harness I've seen, and it is very comfortable for the dog. I really like mine.