My two are currently in Puppia mesh harnesses for safety's sake, but they are getting a little snug so need upgrading. I'm awaiting delivery of two Allsafe car harnesses but, although the website says they're suitable for use out of the car, too, reviews I've read say they're somewhat fiddly, so maybe not practical for everyday use (we don't go in the car most days). Which leads me to the question, what do I put the pups in next? Puppia do make a size for adult labs, so I could stick with that. It seems comfortable and sturdy. But maybe there's something better? I'm not sure if the size of the Puppia one puts me off or not - it looks rather puppyish on the one hand, but on the other, I do think people have mistaken my dogs for being in training for something important (and therefore given me a bit more space) because they're so obvious. To reiterate, I do NOT want a corrective harness, just something that's comfortable for them to wear and that will spread the load away from their throats should they decide to have a mad moment. Any suggestions/comments?
Re: Non-corrective harness I can't offer you a suggestion as Maisie just wears a Wonder Walker which is… I don't know. I should probably research her harness more and find her a new one. BUT I was wondering what the difference is between a corrective and non-corrective harness? I don't want a corrective harness but then ended up thinking well perhaps I have one if I don't know what it is/does… ^ That's what she has. I think it's more a local/smaller company so that's not helpful for you.
Re: Non-corrective harness We've always used these tracking harnesses as they don't cut under the arms (they go round the girth and round the front of the chest) and you do not need to lift feet to put them on: http://www.blackdog.net.au/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=124 The Allsafe harnesses are great as a car harness but definitely too chunky for everyday walking
Re: Non-corrective harness [quote author=maisiesmomma link=topic=10602.msg157073#msg157073 date=1429244054] BUT I was wondering what the difference is between a corrective and non-corrective harness? I don't want a corrective harness but then ended up thinking well perhaps I have one if I don't know what it is/does… [/quote] Corrective harnesses will provide some sort of correction to the dogs to stop them from pulling. This might be a tightening or a turning action. A non-corrective harness is simply a replacement for a flat collar in that it doesn't assist with walking on lead, but if your dog does pull (either persistently or intermittently), it spreads the load across a greater area and prevents trauma to the throat which you can get with a collar. My two are very good with their loose leash walking now, although can still pull towards exciting things, but I prefer to walk them on harnesses for the reason above and because Shadow slipped his collar when he was little (and could have done however tight it was due to his slim head) and nearly ran in front of a rubbish truck, which terrified the life out of me, as you can imagine! [quote author=Oberon link=topic=10602.msg157077#msg157077 date=1429251271] We've always used these tracking harnesses as they don't cut under the arms (they go round the girth and round the front of the chest) and you do not need to lift feet to put them on: http://www.blackdog.net.au/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=124 [/quote] Something like this does appeal to me, especially since Willow is getting a little head-shy when putting the mesh harness over her head now and I'm worrying she's getting a bit "shut down" from the experience of having it put on, even though I treat her well before and after putting it on. :/ She's fine when on the walk, but does seem quite subdued when it goes on, before we go out of the door, whereas if I just clip her collar on, she stays bouncy and waggy.
Re: Non-corrective harness You definitely can't use the Allsafe harnesses as walking harnesses. They are very thick and heavy. I use a fleece harnesses from doggames (£25). I've tried loads, and like these the best. I also have a perfect fit harness, which was a bit more expensive, and a hi-vis cosy dog harness, which was a couple of pounds cheaper. Since one size of the fleece harnesses and the cosy dog harnesses fit Charlie perfectly, and he hates them all equally no matter how they go on, I don't find there is any advantage to the perfect fit (the perfect fit comes in 3 bits, so it doesn't go over the head or need the dog to step into it). What is important to me in a harness is a) Y shaped at the front so leaves the shoulders and front legs completely free b) has a fastening that is low down the dog's back so the girth strap is way clear of the armpits and c) has wide straps that will spread any load across a wide area - and give all of that, isn't too bulky. http://www.dog-games-shop.co.uk/harnesses-fleece-lined/size-4-fleece-lined-dog-harness.html I don't have front rings on any of my harnesses, so they are all just back fastening harnesses.
Re: Non-corrective harness [quote author=JulieT link=topic=10602.msg157082#msg157082 date=1429252638] What is important to me in a harness is a) Y shaped at the front so leaves the shoulders and front legs completely free b) has a fastening that is low down the dog's back so the girth strap is way clear of the armpits and c) has wide straps that will spread any load across a wide area - and give all of that, isn't too bulky. http://www.dog-games-shop.co.uk/harnesses-fleece-lined/size-4-fleece-lined-dog-harness.html [/quote] Can I say d) comes in pretty colours that look good on my dogs? I like the red and the royal blue in this harness for my two ;D ;D
Re: Non-corrective harness I have the cozy dogs harness which is almost identical to the one from dog-games. I highly recommend this type of harness
Re: Non-corrective harness Ha Ha - that too. Most of Charlie's harnesses are a very ugly yellow - as I bought most of them last year when he was injured and had hopes of the "yellow means give me space" thing catching on. That made no difference....but now I have a load of yellow harnesses! ;D ;D ;D
Re: Non-corrective harness Oh, like, blue means "In training" and red means "BACK OFF!"? Nope, never worked for me, either
Re: Non-corrective harness I love the ruff wear range, and have seen the front range harness on a friends dog and loved it! They are very comfortable and like all their range very well made. Casper is OK with his perfect fit harness but I don't like the quality, he is becoming head shy which I am not happy with. I am buying 2 of these Click on the photos and they give you a better idea of what the harness looks like on http://www.ruffwear.com/Front-Range-Harness?sc=2&category=1131
Re: Non-corrective harness But there's no red for Willow! I mean, what are you trying to do, make me change my whole colour scheme?!?!?! ;D ;D
Re: Non-corrective harness [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=10602.msg157127#msg157127 date=1429264460] But there's no red for Willow! I mean, what are you trying to do, make me change my whole colour scheme?!?!?! ;D ;D [/quote] ;D I am getting an orange one for Benson and black for Casper, just fed up with getting all knotted up, having Benson on a collar and Casper with his harness, so I figured having them both on the back attachment would work fine. Shocking that they don't have red though... I also love the julius9 harness, Casper likes that one but I do need to be able to clip a front clip quickly in case of reactive lunging. .The Julius K9 although a great and very comfy harness, it does looks a bit macho, like you am always being asked "what s he in training for?" I am though a great fan of ruffwear gear, just love the quality and they are a bit different. Clips and attachments are very practical. I have most of their collars and leads now.
Re: Non-corrective harness We have a Cosydog fleece one too - in black so it is not obvious that she is wearing one. It can be chucked in the washing machine. I discovered some people assume your dog is wearing a harness because it pulls badly or is aggressive : so I prefer not to 'advertise' the fact she is wearing one. By the time they see it they are close enough for me to be able to re-assure them she is not going to eat them/their children/their dog and I explain it is for the benefits of harness v collar. If she is off-lead I have had some people be very wary. And if she is wearing her Julius K9 harness they think she is one step removed from a wolf :
Re: Non-corrective harness As Obi is a yellow Labrador wearing a slightly atypical blue harness he sometimes gets mistaken for a Guide Dog. We'll walk past people at the local shops and hear "don't disturb him, he's in Guide Dog training", or "isn't he beautiful, he's training to be a Guide Dog". Meanwhile I'm silently praying "for gawd's sake behave yourself until we get round the corner".
Re: Non-corrective harness We have a Perfect Fit from dog games, and I'm really pleased with it. Best buy so far!
Re: Non-corrective harness [quote author=Oberon link=topic=10602.msg157176#msg157176 date=1429270781] As Obi is a yellow Labrador wearing a slightly atypical blue harness he sometimes gets mistaken for a Guide Dog. We'll walk past people at the local shops and hear "don't disturb him, he's in Guide Dog training", or "isn't he beautiful, he's training to be a Guide Dog". Meanwhile I'm silently praying "for gawd's sake behave yourself until we get round the corner". [/quote] ;D ;D ;D I'm sure Obi would pass with flying colours. 8)
Re: Non-corrective harness ;D ;D ;D No-one, but no-one, has ever confused Charlie with a guide dog in training! I'd be thrilled! It has never occurred to me to wonder what people think of Charlie in a bright yellow harness. I never wonder about other people and their dogs, either. I always call Charlie away from a dog on lead (and very much wish other people would call their dogs away from Charlie when he's on lead) and I'm always surprised when people say (as they sometimes do) "s/he is only on lead because otherwise s/he would run off". I just smile, and say "ok", but always wonder why they feel the need to tell me.
Re: Non-corrective harness [quote author=Oberon link=topic=10602.msg157176#msg157176 date=1429270781] As Obi is a yellow Labrador wearing a slightly atypical blue harness he sometimes gets mistaken for a Guide Dog. We'll walk past people at the local shops and hear "don't disturb him, he's in Guide Dog training", or "isn't he beautiful, he's training to be a Guide Dog". Meanwhile I'm silently praying "for gawd's sake behave yourself until we get round the corner". [/quote] ;D ;D ;D Now you know how I feel
Re: Non-corrective harness I just got my new harness delivered YESTERDAY for Bella. After Julie's recommendation of the fleece lined one from Dog Games, I found an American company selling the same harness. She had outgrown her Puppia harness, and like Shadow (Bella swoon ), she has a slim/narrow head and likes to slip her collar...so a Harness for safety is what we went for. We of COURSE : got pink... 8) 8) 8) I like the visibility and when we are walking around in town...and I have the 7 month old excitable chocolate beast on the end of my lead....people will generally smile - but give us our space. ;D ;D ;D She is VERY obviously happy and just wants to say hi to EVERYONE....but with a harness and me putting her into a sit...people will at least not approach her before asking. : I get a lot of "oh she just wants to say hi....she's so cute..." to which I say, "I'm working on training her to greet people politely, please give us some space until she calms down." I'll have to take a picture of her in her new harness...it's bright and sunny today - I might be able to get a good picture of her this afternoon when we pick her up. Last night she was too wound up after her swim and daddy home and in and out while we adjusted the fit of the harness to have any prayer of reasonable photo op.
Re: Non-corrective harness Scooby has a Perfect Fit harness - he pulls like a train, initially- though he settles down after he's had a poo. We started with a No-pull harness from Company of Animals (because that's what Belle has and loves), but he struggles to step in to that one - he's a bit arthritic. The Perfect Fit is very easy to put on, and he seems to like it (doesn't stop pulling, but spreads the load well). I haven't tried the front D-ring. P1040127 by edzbird, on Flickr
