i have my dog for 9 months,she had a very bad start and is nervy, she is 100 times better than she was when we got her but i have a bit of a problem when i walk her at night, she is afraid of the dark and all the noises that go with it, and having tried various collars, which she has slipped and bolted from at the sounds about im thinking of getting a harness, i thought a leather one would be best as it would mould to her shape and chafe less, and i would have more control over her, does any one use harnesses and which ones do you find best

I've recently started to use the 'Kumfi' anti pull harness on my 10 month lab. She walks quite well when there are no distractions around, but if she sees another dog and wants to go play, she will pull to get there... (i'm working on this issue!) I tried a 'Lupi' harness on her when she was a bit younger, but it seemed really stringy and I thought it might cut in under her front legs. The 'Kumfi' harness is much more robust and comfortable, you can see pictures of it on their website, I think it's just kumfi.com or .co.uk, can't quite remember. It does actualy work too! It doesn't bother her a bit when its on, (unlike the gentle leader I tried her with) and if she does pull the harness lifts her front legs up so she can't actualy get anywhere. It's a bit fiddly to get the hang of putting it on, but now my dog will sit and lift her paws up ready, cause she knows it means she's going out to play!

I used a leather harness on my previou Staffy and I found it fine .
Because he was such a strong dog I found it easier to walk him on a harness plus it wasnt harming his neck due to his constant pulling :)

thanks, ill go and take a look

Good idea - the Kumfi ones are especially comfortable I've found - and nervous dogs often find a harness helps their confidence as well............

I use a harness (just a leather one from walmart) for my 18month old LAB.. he does pretty good in it. He's a big puller (he has a VERY strong neck) but he does pretty good!!! So I would definently try one :)

I just use ordinary adjustable webbing harnesses for my two (Canac? from Pests at Home) and have had no problems with rubbing even though one of the dogs pulls like a train. One word of warning though, my mother also uses one for her GSP, and has found that if he 'goes into reverse' he can pull out of the harness backwards - if your dog does this, it's something to watch out for.

thankyou for your replies, she walks like a dream till something scares her then its like trying to hold back a horse!!, but ill watch for the backing up thing as well

donna

i prefer a harness to a collar. my dog never wears a collar anyway so i dont think he would take kindly to having somethin round his neck.

I have been converted to harnesses too, i had a problem finding a half webbing collar (the ones with the little bit of chain on) small enough for my yorkie, and found that using a normal collar made her cough really badly as she used to pull all the time. I found the canac harness (size 1) could just about be made small enough for her, its a nice, soft webbing one, and she no longer pulls and there's no more horrible coughing. When i got my new pup (cavalier) i decided to start him on a harness straight away, and found there was none of the usual sitting down and refusing to move he just trotted along as though he'd always worn one. I do wander whether this is because there's no tugging on the neck area. Both my dogs do still wear a collar while out on walks, just in case they do manage to slip the harness i have something to 'grab'!

:D :D :D @ Jenna - Pests at home - very appropriate!!!

Margot

Hi Amberjade

Have you had her eyes examined by a canine opthalmologist? Might be worth considering

Christine

i hope i down sound too ignorant but why do i need her eyes testing?

she had head to toe exam when we got her coz she was in a bad way, but not solely her eyes

Because many breeds of dog have hereditary eye conditions that they can pass to their offspring. Obviously you would not want to do this.
:)

i would never breed from her, she still about a stone underweight and far too skitty, i just meant in the regard to her pulling on a lead why would i have her eyes tested

forgot to say, she is 2 yo but i only had her for 9 months

<<but i have a bit of a problem when i walk her at night, she is afraid of the dark and all the noises that go with it,>>

It was this bit of your message I was thinking of in case it is not the noises but "things" she can't see properly that are scaring her

Christine

oh, right, that makes sense, ill get her checked out, she was badly treat before i got her, we think she was beaten, sometimes i forget and put my hand out too quick to give her a cuddle and she flattens to the floor and flinches like im going to hit her, and sometimes if i shout at the kids she gets a scared look about her which makes me think its the noises which are scaring her

Hello Amberjade !
I think basically a harness is a very good idea for your dog - if it is nervous a harness will give a bit of extra assurance - this has worked very well with my Polly. She has a nylon padded harness from Hunter (I'm not sure if that make is available in the UK). It is a classic style and not a special harness to help stop the dog pulling, it doesn't sound as though your dog is a mad puller anyway. BTW a harness is also a good idea if you take the dog in the car and want to fasten it in. A leather one is probably OK but could be difficult to clean/dry after walkies in mud and snow. I can throw mine in the washing machine.

Have you thought of trying Bach Flower Remedies to give the dog a bit more self assurance? Again I have tried this with Polly as she was often afraid of other dogs with no apparent reason. She would stop in the middle of the path and just not move. This is now so much better. Maybe your vet could advise you here.

Hope this has helped a bit.

Carol Schaefer

have had jade out on a harness tonight (leather) and what a difference!, i have much more control and i think she prefers it as when she does get skitty, she doesnt choke herself
thankyou for all your advice

donna

My puppy is rubbish on the colla, no matter what she wont get used to it and she always looks like shes choking herself ive tried so many harnesses and by far the loopy or loopi how ever you spell it is the best ive had .
other ones that cut into the skin and although the loopy looks a bit stringy like , shes not complained , i think it gives you alot better control a tiny pull and she stops and its virtuly impossible for her to get out of. i had one harness that she got out of while walking That nearly gave me a heart attack when i saw her in the middle of the road it was a new one too so beware.