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The doghouse

Best harness for tiny puppy

21 replies

Scarsthelot · 28/12/2019 05:20

Morning.

I work with a breed specific rescuse. The rescue was Informed that if they didnt go pick up a 6 week old pup it was going be abandoned when the family moved on.

So some emergency talks between me and the people that run the rescue and a 10 hour drive for me and dp, tiny pup (now 7.5 weeks) is currently laid across my chest. We were already planning on adopting and had started preparing, so it just came forward a few weeks.

She had her first injections yesterday and the vet is impressed with her health weight, character. So far she is showing no signs of distress. But is far to brave for her own good. Pretty sure she things she is cat.

Anyway, I have had cockers before and have an older one now. But not this small. Can anyone recommend a harness for a pup. I want to slowly get her used to it before we can walk her in a few weeks.

OP posts:

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Scarsthelot · 28/12/2019 05:21

Sorry forgot to add a photo. This is her when we picked her up and yesterday

Best harness for tiny puppy

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Lonecatwithkitten · 28/12/2019 06:27

Honestly cockers are so trainable that they do best with a collar/slip lead. I see a lot of cockers ( my practice is big working area) I have never seen one in a harness.
Reward based heel training come very quickly with a cocker.

MimiCaeger · 28/12/2019 06:43

I’m going to contradict totally what has been said upthread, and recommend a trulove ruffwear or even 3 peaks at pets at home.
I too work alongside a spaniel rescue, as well as having spaniels (cocker and springer!)
Slips for tiny puppies are really not reccomended anymore, but I do agree that heel training is pretty easy, and they respond well to praise!

Enjoy your new baby!

BelfastNonBlonde · 28/12/2019 06:49

😭😭😭😭she gorgeous!

We use the Julius K9 for our spaniel

When she was a tiny puppy we had to buy the size “Baby 2” 😭😭😭😭

She is 6 months now so has moved up sizes. Walks very well on lead and harness and still goes mad off lead so it doesn’t bother her at all

Scarsthelot · 28/12/2019 06:54

Puppy will be trained just like her sister.

I know loads of spaniels walked on a harness. Most of the spaniels where owners have surrendered their spaniels to us, also have harnesses. I wonder if it's one of those things that's area specific. And while training, I wont attach a lead around their neck. Its just preference. I wouldn't use a slip at all. Even on my adult dogs.

All my cockers have all had harnesses, walk great and have great recall.

But thank you for taking the time to comment.

Thank you MimiCaeger for the recommendation.

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Scarsthelot · 28/12/2019 06:56

BelfastNonBlonde thank you for the recommendations.

She is lovely. Just so tiny!!! She is a great dog. I couldnt have picked a better one.

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SexlessBoulderBelly · 28/12/2019 07:07

I don’t like collars or slip leads on any dog, I just can’t imagine it’s comfortable for them to have it around their neck with any form of pressure or tugging, even if they don’t pull. It’s much better to have a harness that will distribute the weight of any pulling or tugging across their chest/body.

MimiCaeger · 28/12/2019 07:45

Can I just say, particularly with an energetic breed like a cocker, but any dog really. You want a Y shape and not one that cuts across like a julius k9? As it can construct movement x

BelfastNonBlonde · 28/12/2019 09:12

@MimiCaeger actually I think I agree - although we don’t have one I have seen other harnesses with more of a breast plate on the front under the neck? Looks like a y shape is that what you Mean?

Whilst our dog is fine and has no issue with the Julius, the y shape just looks more comfortable to me . I think it’s the fact it doesn’t sit behind the legs.

might try it next when she grows out of this one.

Bobstergirl · 28/12/2019 09:14

I have working cockers that work at scent work and every spaniel I ever see at work is on a harness so I disagree with lonecat. Harnesses are not only needed if the dog does not walk well on a lead.

Has to be a Any Y shape front.

Perfect fit is a good place to start as you can change bits as the puppy grows.

MimiCaeger · 28/12/2019 09:18

@BelfastNonBlonde yes! That is what I mean!
Harnesses like the K9 are ok for “ploddy” dogs but can be a bit uncomfortable for more mobile pups.
I would really recommend ruffwear, I think I have a discount code somewhere too!

heatseeker14 · 28/12/2019 10:18

I have found this thread very useful. Our pup has a K9 harness. It is much better than the last one he had, but I am concerned that it could rub behind his legs. I would like to get him a new one but have struggled to get them to fit him. I had to send a Ruffwear one back because it didn’t fit him, even though it was correct for his size. I like the sound of the Perfect Fit harness. Does anyone on here use one? If so, do you use a double lead to help prevent pulling?

Scarsthelot · 28/12/2019 10:28

Is this a y one?

This is our cockers old one. Similar shape to her current one.i just cant find a photo.

These are all great recommendations. That you

Best harness for tiny puppy

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Scarsthelot · 28/12/2019 10:31

If so, do you use a double lead to help prevent pulling?.

I only used double leads on one foster sprocker. Who broke through several harnesses and was a serial absconded.

I am happy to say he is much better now and walking well so no double lead.but still runs off if he can.

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Voldethought · 28/12/2019 13:26

Can second what the previous poster said about Perfect Fit harnesses. It has a Y shape at the front and you can change the sizes as the puppy grows. It was the only harness I found fitted our springer when she was tiny.

heatseeker14 · 28/12/2019 14:23

Thanks for your reply, Scars. I think I’m going to buy a Perfect Fit harness. At least then we will be able to use a double lead if necessary. Today he was much better walking on the lead, but I won’t get my hopes up just yet!

WombleOfTheThighs · 28/12/2019 15:01

Can anyone recommend a harness for a very small JRT that hates having her legs man-handled? We've tried in the past to get her into a harness, but she doesn't like stepping into it or having her paws placed into it.

Scarsthelot · 28/12/2019 15:11

Thanks for your reply, Scars.

Sorry it wasn't more helpful. X

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Voldethought · 28/12/2019 17:07

@Womble - the perfect fit harness doesn't need the dog to step into it.

StillMedusa · 28/12/2019 18:38

Womble Perfect fit harness.. no stepping in needed. And they really do fit because they come in three sections, each of which you can get the right size for your dog.

I've had a Julius k9 (didn't like..it restricts the chest and they CAN back out of it)
A ruffwear (better but never fit quite right)
and now a Perfect Fit. As mine is still a puppy (tho nearly full grown now) I have been able to change the belly piece as she grew and it just really is a perfect fit..I'll never use another.

WombleOfTheThighs · 28/12/2019 19:35

Thank you @Voldethought and @StillMedusa. I'll have a look.

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