I want to walk Charlie in a back fastening harness, or a front fastening harness if I can get one that doesn't change the gait of his front legs. I want to do this because I dislike the pressure on Charlie's neck when he wearing a flat collar and misbehaves. He hasn't had a harness on for six weeks, because I really only used it when I knew he would pull and lunge badly, as we've been very quiet, doing walks where his lead walking is 100% proofed against distractions. But recently, we've started going back to the common and we can't always control our distance to other dogs. For example, a poodle ran up to us this morning, resulting in a lunge. Of course I had cheese and my clicker, and rewarded for stopping lunging and calm. I would so have preferred him to be on a harness though. (For people new to my harness problems, Charlie hates harnesses with a passion - for no reason I know). So, I started again a few days ago, with a new harness. Sat in the corner of the kitchen with a pile of emmental cheese and sea biscuits. Did nothing but reward for approaching the harness, then touching the harness, then sticking his head into it. Very slowly, C&T for allowing the straps to be touched, then fastened. I made sure I was always looking away, relaxed, never pushed it. If he backed off, I just pretended to be interested in the cheese. Well, just got it fastened up. He immediately looked absolutely miserable, closed right down, wouldn't take a treat, didn't want to go for a walk! He acted like I'd just beaten him with a big stick. The answer is not just to stick the harness on him and carry on - I have to force him, and when the people at the rehab centre tried it, they reported back that this made him genuinely and very significantly frightened. That's it. I officially give up. Whatever the reason for this, I don't think I'm ever going to find out the cause or that the time to solve it is worth it. I remain just bemused by this though!
Re: Harness - I officially give up! Yep, I agree. Time to throw in the towel on this one. He obviously just can't stand it. Maybe he just feels trapped in it. What about one of those really wide collars that are used for Greyhounds? That'd distribute pressure more broadly than a normal collar. Something soft but wide and strong.
Re: Harness - I officially give up! Yes, good idea - off to shop for a very wide collar. A bit of retail therapy, just the ticket!
Re: Harness - I officially give up! You could get one made, I think Jac posted on someone who made verry pretty leather collars. I'll see if I can find the link later xxx
Re: Harness - I officially give up! Thanks Barbara, I've had a good session looking for collars. A nice new collar will cheer me up. Kikopup says dogs who hate harnesses usually have an underlying issue about being touched. Hah. I'll tell Charlie that tonight as he stretches out so his faithful servants can give him his full body massage (and don't forget the tummy rubs).
Re: Harness - I officially give up! He seems really good, thanks Kate. No limp, no stiffness, nothing. You'd never know apart from his shaved leg. I think the biggest risk is us just forgetting and treating him too much like he is healed. He hopped onto a footstool last night, because we'd become a bit too relaxed (I don't think that will matter too much at this stage, hopefully). Next big milestone is Thursday for x-rays, which I am both looking forward too because if everything is good he gets a tad more freedom, but of course I'm dreading hearing that the cage or a screw has moved or something like that.
Re: Harness - I officially give up! Try this...... http://www.made2measure-leatherworks.com/pampered-pooches/
Re: Harness - I officially give up! It is really weird that he hates the harness so much, isn't it? But I agree, no use forcing the issue, there are other options. I'm sure you will find a stylin' collar in no time!!
Re: Harness - I officially give up! Hmmm its odd the harness thing isnt it. I've done the same The Harness Is Good thing with cuillin but she still hates having it put on and runs off and hides under the bed when she sees it, and then stands stock still looking Beaten when its first put on. However unlike Charlie she seems to forget once we are off on a walk, and is soon merrily racing about with it on so I still use one if we are going up town or she is going for a lead walk. Be good to here what you disvover as alternatives
Re: Harness - I officially give up! Just wondered if you have being using the stop-pull type harness or just standard harness ? I have fleece lined harnesses for mine from dog games shop. They don't stop them pulling, but if for whatever reason they have to be on a flexi or long line it means that they don't yank on their neck. Neither of mine have ever bothered about this type of harness but I suspect that if I put them in stop-pull type one they would protest! I was told by a trainer once that the stop-pull ones, although may serve the purpose, are not very good for their front legs as they do tend to walk differently in them because of the pressure on the chest. Not sure if this is correct or not ? Hope this helps. Chloe
Re: Harness - I officially give up! I also have a fleece lined one for penny, I bought it at the all about dogs show yesterday. It's like a flyball harness, if you've ever seen those - it goes over the head and then has two clips on the back so you don't have to lift up any legs, just over the head and clip it on. It also has a loop on the front so you can use it as a front attaching harness too - have you tried one of these Julie? It might not alter his walking style like you are worried about? Penny was so pleased to have it on, she was gambolling around look really pleased with herself - I think she liked it.
Re: Harness - I officially give up! No, it's just a fleece back fastening harness, not a stop pulling harness. I've spent a small fortune seeking out one with the thickest fleece padding, and the most adjustment points so I can have it fit perfectly - I even imported one from Canada will the resulting faff and delays paying customs duty. He still walks in it lifting his front legs in a "this harness is made of barb wire" kind of way. I've also tried mesh, canvas, and strap, back fastening harnesses. Ones that go over the head, ones that don't. Same result.
Re: Harness - I officially give up! What a funny boy It's strange, as my two really don't bat an eyelid wearing theirs, even Ruby who thinks everything's a bit scary!! I don't even think they notice it's on. Does it fit across the chest or go in between his legs ? Chloe
Re: Harness - I officially give up! [quote author=rubyrubyruby link=topic=5379.msg67890#msg67890 date=1397378201] Does it fit across the chest or go in between his legs ? [/quote] The one I usually use goes over his head, between his legs and fastens with two clips, quite far down his back (well clear of the back of his front legs). It's a Y shape. The one I put on him yesterday was new, and was a strap across his chest. I do think that it's something to do with the circumstances of walking in the harness, rather than the harness itself. He doesn't react in the same way to the harness he has to wear in the treadmill, for example. I so wish I knew what it was all about.
Re: Harness - I officially give up! Get hold of a harness just like the treadmill one? Tatze is fine wearing hers. but eats it if left alone with it :
Re: Harness - I officially give up! [quote author=Boogie link=topic=5379.msg67896#msg67896 date=1397380158] Get hold of a harness just like the treadmill one? [/quote] It's a sort of safety thing, like you could use to hoist a dog with a lift, it isn't suitable for normal walking - they only use it in the water to control his position. I suppose I could try getting something similar, but I really don't think it's about the type of harness. But, I could borrow one from the hydro centre, and put it on at home as if he is going for a walk and see what he does though (bit reluctant to buy another harness, I have tried so very many now).
Re: Harness - I officially give up! The context is probably a big part of it. It's likely that the same harness wouldn't meet with his approval in a different situation. I expect that he just doesn't like how harnesses feel. They restrict movement and put pressure on the body. Maybe that's enough for him to hate it. Plus he can probably tell from your behaviour that something about the harness is unusual.
Re: Harness - I officially give up! Yes, I think that's right. And it has got worse over time. It's time to give it up as a bad job. I will still try to clicker train getting a harness on and off and not going for a walk, just in case I ever have to use one in an emergency. But that's all.
Re: Harness - I officially give up! Julie....has he actually worn a harness for walking for any period of time? Feel free to shoot me down, but are you a bit too sensitive to his likes and dislikes and he is maybe playing on this? I know you want to do your very, very best for him and am really sorry you are having all this angst. Sounds like cutting your losses is going to be in the best interests of both of you - you don't need the stress. xx
