Harness fitting and size

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Postby lipshipsattitude » July 25th, 2006, 5:15 pm

I'm planning on picking up a harness for Rory this week. She is great on the gentle lead but I hate how it can get to tight and how some peole think its a muzzle. She walks well on a leash but will pull every once in awhile so I thought a harness would be great for her and I, so.....

What size do your dog's wear?
What are some of the pro's and con's you've experienced while walking?
Is it a pain to put on?
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Postby mnp13 » July 25th, 2006, 5:17 pm

I used a harness for Cleo. The pro was having a large "handle" to keep her under control. the con was that when she ate the harness she was totally unmanageable to walk.

My advice? Lose the GL and harness and teach your dog to walk correctly on leash.
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Postby Magnolia618 » July 25th, 2006, 5:21 pm

My advice? Lose the GL and harness and teach your dog to walk correctly on leash.


I agree.

Have you thought about a prong?
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » July 25th, 2006, 5:40 pm

I agree with both of the above, but I still bought a Sporn Training Halter for Inara! :oops: The prong worked, but I HATED the way it looked on her. And size-wise, she's a medium. She's just a pup though, so she hasn't filled out. My foster Ralphie, AKA Mr. Chubby Pants, is a large. Just take your dog with you - most have sizing charts.
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Postby Magnolia618 » July 25th, 2006, 5:43 pm

pitbullmamaliz wrote:I agree with both of the above, but I still bought a Sporn Training Halter for Inara! :oops: The prong worked, but I HATED the way it looked on her. And size-wise, she's a medium. She's just a pup though, so she hasn't filled out. My foster Ralphie, AKA Mr. Chubby Pants, is a large. Just take your dog with you - most have sizing charts.


I put a bandana over Maggie's prong when we were in Vermont and nobody noticed it at all.
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Postby a-bull » July 25th, 2006, 5:47 pm

Yup, as I mentioned before, Sporn here, too.

I used it to train my female who was almost one when I adopted her (but didn't need it for my male, who I had since he was a pup)---now they both wear regular harnesses or we use their flat collar in a pinch, and no pulling issues.

Michelle mentioned having a handle when they wear the harness, and I've always liked that option.

If your dog knows how to "sit" and "wait," the harness is pretty easy to put on after the first shot or two.

I did get distracted and forgot to take one off once, and my female ate it off, so apparently that can be an issue, lol.
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Postby lipshipsattitude » July 25th, 2006, 7:23 pm

mnp13 wrote:
My advice? Lose the GL and harness and teach your dog to walk correctly on leash.


MY dog does know how to walk properly on a leash thank you. There are times when we run on the beach or walk in a large crowd and I would like to have a better handle on her then something around her neck. Running on trails or hiking up hills can be a pain and I dont want to have my only hold on her via her neck.
Rory completley ignores the prong collar, I had TWO trainers make sure I was using it properly and the second time Rory had abbrasions and blisters from the collar, same with a choke chain.
Why are some so quick to tell me how to train my dog when they too have obviously used a harness? I ask because I find great knowledge in this forum and have the same love and devotion to my dog as all of you do to yours. It can be frusterating trying to aquire insight and get talked to like a smurfing idiot. Thanks anyways everyone
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Postby mnp13 » July 25th, 2006, 7:32 pm

Excuse me. You asked about harness advice, I gave harness advice. The cons of a harness are that you need a harness.

Yes, I have used one, 7 years ago. I don't use one anymore, because I don't need one. Perhaps that is why I said that you shouldn't use one? Because I am speaking from experience? The best thing you can do for your dog is teach it to obey you - without the use of control devices. If you rely on those control devices you are SOL the day you don't have one.

You said in your first post that you use a gentle leader, so is would seem quite obvious to me that your dog does not walk correctly on a regular collar or why would you use a head control collar?

When exactly did I talke to you "like an idiot"? You asked for input, I gave you input. If you don't want input, don't ask.
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Postby lipshipsattitude » July 25th, 2006, 7:38 pm

awesome, thanks!
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Postby ellie@ny » July 25th, 2006, 7:57 pm

Wow!I always learn something new!
I tought we can controll dogs "Via necks"....
And ignores prong???I guess I'm just lucky with my dogs,or I just have strong hands... :twisted:
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Postby lipshipsattitude » July 25th, 2006, 8:08 pm

I dont see what the big freakin deal is. YES, my dog does not respond to the prong collar. I thought it was due to me not knowing how to use it so THAT is why I went to a trainer to have it fitted and to show me how to use it. She DOES NOT RESPOND plus I came to the conclusion that prong collars are for lazy peole who dont want to take the time out to train their dogs. THAT is why we have taken three obediance classes, she now knows how to walk properly.
YES I have used the gentle leader when she was younger and for when we are in large crowds, its adds security but we havnt used it for months.
I just feel that when we are running on the beach or hiking up hills it would be more comfertable for Rory to have a harness while we are making quick turns or hauling ass up a hill. I was trying to think of her comfort THATS ALL.
So now that I have explained myself please, feel free to pick apart my response and attempt to make me feel like a inadequate dog owner.
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Postby Maryellen » July 25th, 2006, 8:23 pm

when i measured rufus for a harness i measured his chest, then his back from the base of his shoulder to his rump, then i measured around his waist line.. i had to do it twice, the first harness i bought was way to small.. the 2nd one was just right.. most places when you want to order will actually walk you thru the measuring steps to make sure you measure it right.. find a place that you want to order from, call the customer service, and tell them you dont know how to measure thats what i did, and the girl on the phone walked me thru the entire measureing process, then she actually had me email her a picture of rufus standing front and side.. the 2nd harness was perfect...

you could also go to petco, and just try on one of their harnesses, bring a measuring tape like for fabric, and measure the harness that fits rory perfectly... then order your harness
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Postby rockermom » July 25th, 2006, 8:24 pm

I understand exactly what you mean about controll in certian situations. I use a harness when on longer walks, hikes or public situations. Rocky is fine walking especially on our own street. I use a gentle leader chest harness in medium which I like except for in the heat it has caused him to have welts under his pits. I also have a sporne and a cheaper one I got from walmart those two cause sores on the chest in the heat. All mediums. ROcky is about 50lbs long legged and lean. I like the gl chest harness the best but I hate that it loosens up and I have to adjust it. I switch back and forth between the types.
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Postby a-bull » July 25th, 2006, 8:30 pm

mnp13 wrote:Excuse me. You asked about harness advice, I gave harness advice. The cons of a harness are that you need a harness.

Yes, I have used one, 7 years ago. I don't use one anymore, because I don't need one. Perhaps that is why I said that you shouldn't use one? Because I am speaking from experience? The best thing you can do for your dog is teach it to obey you - without the use of control devices. If you rely on those control devices you are SOL the day you don't have one.

You said in your first post that you use a gentle leader, so is would seem quite obvious to me that your dog does not walk correctly on a regular collar or why would you use a head control collar?

When exactly did I talke to you "like an idiot"? You asked for input, I gave you input. If you don't want input, don't ask.


Just so there's no confusion regarding harnesses, the Sporn I referred to and other such "harnesses" are control devices, but a regular ol' harness is no different than a collar---not a control device, just another option.
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Postby lipshipsattitude » July 25th, 2006, 8:37 pm

Rockermom,
Thanks! We were hiking this past weekend and she is always right behind me but she started slipping and I REALLY wanted something else to tug on then the collar around her neck, it was kinda scary actually. She looked at me like "you b*itch", haha!

Maryellen,
My girl is a great walker but when we are in crowds like a famers market or festival and I'm leading her and weaving in and outta people I just want her to be comfertable and sometimes I let my lil brother hold her leash (he's only ten) and he can be rough sometimes.
I wont lie and asy that she donst pull if she see's a cat or something really tempting. She's 18 months, still a pup and we work on our communication and training in every exersice we do. Its hard to put so much love, time, money, and training into something and have someone TRY to make me feel that i need to explain myslef. I had joined this forum because it seemed devoted to caring, responsible pit bulls owners. A place of refuge from the idiots who claim our dogs are vicious yet sometimes I feel the same scorn from pit bull owners because they are so wrapped up in their fight for the breed that they fail to realize others are trying to be as knowledgable as they are and come to them for advice. Ohwell, my love for my dog is enough and I thnak you for your input! I cant wait for our first run with the harness!
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Postby Maryellen » July 25th, 2006, 8:53 pm

the other thing i use rufus's harness for is to buckle him in the truck.. it works as a seat belt and a harness too..
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Postby a-bull » July 25th, 2006, 8:57 pm

Maryellen wrote:the other thing i use rufus's harness for is to buckle him in the truck.. it works as a seat belt and a harness too..


I like it at the vet or in crowds, also. I snap a shorter (very short) leash on it, and that way I have my dogs entire body right next to my leg, for those wonderful moments when other people let their dog dive bomb yours.
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Postby Maryellen » July 25th, 2006, 8:58 pm

yep i have 3 3 foot leashes for each dog.. i like the shorter leash better for the vets office, pet expos, places like that..its more control...
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Postby a-bull » July 25th, 2006, 9:03 pm

Maryellen wrote:yep i have 3 3 foot leashes for each dog.. i like the shorter leash better for the vets office, pet expos, places like that..its more control...


Exactly . . . I think the leash I have is actually shorter than that---great little device . . .

Oh, "Lipships"~The harness I have is made by "Tuff" and I think it was a size large for both my dogs---one weighing around 65 lbs. and the other around 55, give or take . . .
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Postby Maryellen » July 25th, 2006, 9:05 pm

the harness i have for rufus is for a 56 lb dog.. actually its in the marketplace with pictures so you can see what his looks like, which is very plain..
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