Hello,

To cut a long story short, my 10 month old Malinois is having some issues with getting in the car, and keeps slipping his collar in the process. That includes both a flat collar and properly fitted half check collar.

My trainer and I agreed, for safety reasons, to get him in a harness. I went to our pet shop yesterday and bought an Ancol nylon one.. The staff helped me to fit it, and we got it nice and tight. However, when I got to the car park he pulled back suddenly and it came off over his head! Luckily I managed to grab him before he was loose in the town centre.

So, I have been looking around for a more secure harness. I have been recommended the Ruffwear Web Master, and I like the look of the extra strap behind the ribs and the fact that it says on their website that it is inescapable.

1) The Ruffwear ones are pricey, and although I'm willing to splash out if they are the only option, I'm wondering if there are cheaper ones out there that have an extra belly strap?

2) Any personal experiences with the Ruffwear harnesses? I'd have to buy online, so worried about not being able to get my hands on to have a look first. What is their returns policy like? Do they wash well? Has anyones dog ever managed to escape one?

Thanks

Kate

Have a look at Dog Games, their harnesses are great.

http://www.dog-games.co.uk/comments_fh.htm

Hmm, I'm not sure. By the look of them he'd be able to back out of it I think. He's a real houdini dog!

Hi Kate,

I've not used the ones you mentioned, but the Premier Easy Walk may help, I use one on a lab x springer out walking and the owners say it's the only harness type that she has ever not lost when let off the lead. Also another owner put one on her dobe, he was very good at escaping with the backwards jump but can't do it with this one, much to his disgust! PM me if you'd like to look into getting one.

Jo

Now they are interesting, because they attach at the front. Might work, since he got out of the last one by lowering his head and allowing the pull of the lead on the back piece to lift it over his head.

Thanks, I'll give them a closer look I think!

They do one with a ring at the front. To be honest I would be surprised if he could, but then I have been surprised before now :)

I have one of the Web Masters and it's very good, my only complaint about it is I have to keep re-tightening the straps, they don't come loose on a walk or if I have to pick daisy up with it, but every few days I have to re do them, although they've never gotten so loose that it was in danger of falling off. The handle on the back is great and comes in very handy if I have to hoik Daisy over or into something.

I also have a Gentle leader one which can lead from the front or back ( or both at the same time ) this was great for my Bridge dog Ben as he was apt to plonk his bum to admire the view and would have stayed there all day, so i needed something to get him going again, it never came off over his head and was of good quality.

I love the Dog Games harnesses - my Dobermann has a Perfect Fit one and his build/shape means that there is no way could he escape it even if he wanted to, however my friends dogs can easily get out of them (both the normal fleece ones and the PF ones, although she hasn't tried one with the front connection bit) without much effort (they are Greyhounds and a Lurcher). They cannot escape the Ruffwear harness though so I would go for that one if I were you. I suspect your dog is quite lanky and gangly at 10 months so he could probably slip the Dog Games ones, at least until he chunks up abit.

I have personally found that a harness, used on it's own is very poor from a controll POV, but is great for added controll (I do have a different breed than you, I have an English Mastiff).

You could try using a collar AND a harness at the same time, both with seperate leads. It will give you more confidance knowing you have extra control, it also gives you 2 points of controll, making it easier to handle sudden physical outbursts! Being more confidant will allow you to approach training with a better state of mind and therefore your training will be more effective.

I found this combo to be of great help when my dog was younger, he'd get very excited when meeting other dogs, I had no controll with a collar or a harness when used on thier own and worried about the security of them, used together I could concentrate on just training him, rather than just keeping hold of him and staying on my feet!

I think i'd be addressing the cause rather than masking the problem? Have a think about the car and why she doesnt like getting in, maybe do some clicker/target training to help her get in.

Yes, with the help of a trainer we are trying to tackle the issue using positive reinforcement. However, I can't focus on training when I'm so terrified he is going to escape and be hit by a car!

I have a Mekuti harness for one of my dogs and love it. It has several points of contact including an option to have one end of the lead passing across the chest, which I've found to be excellent for dogs with a tendency to lunge to keep all four feet on the ground.