Why your Labrador puppy needs a harness

The latest article from the Labrador Site looks at the use of harnesses with Labrador puppies.

Why Your Labrador Puppy Needs A Harness

 

I liked everything about this article - very much agree with the description of potential damage. I didn't like, though, the discouraging comments about back fastening harnesses. I think it is just a myth that the dog has "extra" power while wearing one. My dog has pulled me over when wearing a collar (he does not need any assistance in order to be strong enough to do this) but never while wearing a well designed back fastening harness - his front legs rise slightly if he pulls and he loses traction.

 

Bit confused by the photo though as the one at the top also has a back fastening silver ring? Working in the vets I did see some horrendous friction burns from harnesses so I am still not convinced about them - but worth reading up on (as these prob were those attached to the back)

 

Just been reading a bit about this - is this something just to bear in mind for when theyre bigger - as looking at size guides we would have to replace possibly twice, and the seem very expensive. I think while ever Murphy isnt pulling on his lead and walking at my side I'll stick to the flat collar but bear these in mind if he gets unruley!

 

I had Puppia mesh harnesses for my two as small puppies, which meant that their very delicate puppy necks didn't get damaged if they pulled towards something. These were very reasonably priced and expanded well, so it wasn't a scary investment for something they were going to grow out of.

Now, I have two of these fleece-lined harnesses: http://www.dog-games-shop.co.uk/harnesses-fleece-lined/size-4-fleece-lined-dog-harness.html, which fit really well, with no rubbing under their arms.

I purposely chose a back-attaching harness because I didn't want any correctional element, which you get in a front-fastener. I wanted to ensure that they were walking nicely because they were trained to do so, not because they were being forced into it by a piece of equipment. My two are both small Labradors, although if I am walking them together and they both pull at the same time, it adds up. But I like to think I'm very aware of their body language and the environment when I am walking them so can pre-empt their pulling by setting my stance. Their combined weight is more than mine, but I never feel I can't hold them on lead.

I've stopped using the harnesses in recent weeks, because Willow has shown a real aversion to hers and is far, far happier in a collar - it changes her body language and willingness to train massively. That said, I'd love to start using them again because they are so much safer than collars and, although our training is coming along really well so they very rarely pull towards something, on the odd occasion they do, I really worry for their throats. Plus, having had Shadow slip his collar once before, once it starts getting busy for the winter again, I know that he simply can't escape his harness.

 

Couldn't agree more, Fiona. I really want to get Charlie back into a harness (after remote-controlled-truck-gate) but it will be a back fastening harness. There is no way his physio would allow me to use a front fastening harness, she thinks they are the work of the devil (whether that is true or not, I don't know, but I'm not risking it).

 

The pocket rocket that is Millie wears a back fastening harness , she may be small but she packs a pull Collar and lead is ok for very short usage, like from the car to the beach, bot otherwise, its the dreaded harness

 

In all my years working as a veterinary nurse, I never saw a dog which had been injured using a collar and lead - but I guess any equipment is dangerous on any animal if not used properly. Personally my dogs have always walked nicely on a collar and lead - I can control their head that way at least which helps with the dreaded picking up of potentially fatal food items when out - its weighing it all up really.

 

I enjoyed this article. Have used a harness with our Poppy since she was about ten months old. We did have issues with pulling on the lead and at the first obedience club we attended they recommended the use of a slip chain collar, and although did try, it never felt right. Once we used the harness, she has walked perfectly, to heel with a nice slack lead. It's very useful at the park when she has been known to slip out of her collar, although we take off the harness once she is off leash because she heads straight for the dam for a swim and I was concerned that she would get the straps snagged on sticks or branches.

 

Riley is in a limited slip lead now, he stated in a harness as a pup and young dog. He very rarely pulls and is even less likely to lunge but it's always possible. He also spends very little time on his lead.

If my dad walks him he stays on his lead and then he's in a harness and long lead so he can sniff about. If he's ever on restricted exercise he goes on his harness too so it's always available if we need it and I certainly won't be getting rid of it even if it's not used every day

 

Ok, silly question. Should you take off the collar when using a harness? We had both on today (the lead was attached to the harness only)

 

No question is silly The law in the UK states that any dog out in public should wear a collar with ID attached . My terrier always has her collar on when out and about, even if is wearing her harness . One exception is that if you can show that your dog is working, or training to work , a collar isn't necessary, in fact on a working/training dog, a collar could be downright dangerous as they can become hooked onto branches . I don't have a collar on my adult Lab when training in woods and forests but apart from these times, he wears his collar with ID to comply with the law, neither dog ever wears a collar at home, hope this helps .

 

P.S, Lovely photo

 

Thanks that's really helpful. I'm in Australia but now that you mention it I think we have the same requirements. The photo was from our first beach visit today ☺ best time ever!


Here's her first water experience, she loved it but only went in belly-deep. I'll stop now.. I could talk about Ella all day otherwise

 

Tatze walks really well on just a collar. But I put her harness on if we are going anywhere near roads as I don't trust the collar, she can pull backwards out of it. If anything ever spooked her it wouldn't be safe, in my opinion. (Well, not just opinion - hubby was walking her up the road when a motorbike backfired and she pulled out of her collar in fright. He came home a quivvering wreck. He grabbed the scruff of her neck just before she ran into a busy road). She has the sort of head which the collar comes off - it would be too tight if tight enough not to, if you see what I mean.

Twiglet (guide dog pup) is not allowed a harness, so a lot of work goes into training them to walk on a loose lead. This isn't easy as they must walk ahead of you with their rump near your leg. But persistence works and I had Gypsy doing it well by five months.

 

I've used a back fastening harness for many years (15+) and do not find that dogs can get more traction in these than with a collar. I think that Julie mentioned that pulling results in the front feet lifting up slightly - this reduces power. Plus back fastening harnesses don't get the lead tangled round the dog when the dog changes direction (unlike front fastening ones).

Our club sells front fastening harnesses to new members with pullers (there is one senior instructor who really pushes them). These harnesses don't do much to help, based on my observation. People don't change their training strategy, thinking that the harness is the fix, and so their dog still pulls exactly the same as always but now with a harness twisted oddly round to one side, digging into the dog's shoulder and armpit on the other side. This is one particular brand, mind you, so others may be different.

I'm firmly in the harness camp, but it's back fastening all the way for me.

 

I don't think it matters. I put Charlie's ID on his harness when he wears one. The UK law does say collar, but I reckon that there is zero chance of anyone objecting to a harness that has exactly the same function to carry the ID.

The harness you are using, Emily, looks tight behind the front legs (at least in that photo). Ideally, you want to look for a harness with a back section that moves the ring and the girth fastening further down the dog's back, so the girthstrap is a few inches clear of the front legs. There is a vid somewhere from Turid Rugass on this.

Here is is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPuf_nhUmE0

 

Thank you Julie, I had no idea but can see exactly what you mean. We tried the harness for the first time today (it's one of the Rogz step-in harnesses) so really just made it up as we went along with the sizing. I'll adjust the straps tomorrow (it's after 10pm here) to see if it will give that extra room for her legs, otherwise ill look for a suitable replacement.

Thanks again, it's great to get the advice ☺

 

Sorry, I should add that I'll be replacing it soon anyway as she'll outgrow it quickly (it feels like I can see her growing before my eyes) but I'll see if I can create enough room for the short term rather than buying a new one only to replace it in a few weeks. Of course, if this isn't possible, I'll change straight away ☺

 

That's good, Emily. Hope you find something that suits. Charlie's girth didn't increase much after about 7 or 8 months, so I only changed his harness twice. (Puppy, young teen, adult).