Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Are harnesses as bad as this person says?

60 replies

PutOffGettingADog · 15/04/2022 16:24

Considering a dog, my DD (aged 7) would benefit a lot from it.

DD has mobility issues due to a hip and leg condition she also has other issues including regulation with her mood issues due to LDs, her physio and consultant have both said a dog would be helpful to help with all of these things.

We currently borrow my dad’s dog and walk her on a harness, I was under the impression they’re safer than collars as they spread across the rib cage and spine so if the dog pulls they’re less likely to be strangled. Dads dog responds much better to lead training on the harness than on the collar. And a harness is my preferred option for walking if we get a dog.

Was discussing it with the parent of an old classmate of mine who breeds a specific breed of dog. She has said that in all types of dogs, big or small a harness is unsafe and affects the dogs front gait and she will not sell dogs to people walking dogs on harnesses.

So am I wrong to think harnesses are ok to use? It’s put me off buying a dog at all despite knowing it’ll help my DD so much (she’d walk the dog with me until old enough to do it alone).

OP posts:
Motorina · 16/04/2022 09:10

@SirChenjins it's fine. You say, "it seems to work well for him", which is actually the only thing that matters.

For specialist canicross harnesses, designed for working into, there are a few dedicated suppliers who can help with fit and so on. But that's overkill for the majority of dogs.

Anonaymoose · 16/04/2022 09:12

As a vet nurse I prefer a collar and lead. It's less of a bite risk and gives me better control (plus my shoulders are knackered from being yanked by powerful dogs in harnesses). Also see lots of skin issues with harnesses rubbing. They're often manky too as most people don't seem to wash them Envy
Whatever you choose please remember it's a legal requirement for you dog to wear a collar with your contact details.

redbigbananafeet · 16/04/2022 09:23

www.amazon.co.uk/Pet-Love-Harness-Leash-Padded/dp/B06XS5SHH7

I hadnt realised there could be issues with harnesses so find this interesting. What are thoughts on this type of harness? www.amazon.co.uk/Pet-Love-Harness-Leash-Padded/dp/B06XS5SHH7

AwkwardPaws27 · 16/04/2022 09:46

@SpringHasSprungYay
There are types that have a horizontal strap across the chest, which can restrict the shoulder and associated muscles.

Are harnesses as bad as this person says?
rainbowandglitter · 16/04/2022 09:49

A few rehoming centres that I've seen specify that harnesses must not be used on the rehomed dogs as they're easier to slip out of.
I don't use a harness on my dog as she pulls more. I use a slip lead. Plus she's a working dog so a harness wouldn't work anyway.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 16/04/2022 10:05

I guess my issue is how to train to get to the point of no pulling and just automatically walking on a loose lead so that you don't need a harness. All those with well trained dogs who don't ever pull how did you get to that point?

I have been told that you just must never ever let them get ahead or pull at all and stop/ change direction every time they do. One blog I read the woman did that and only that for 3 weeks walking up and down the same bit of pavement. Another dog trainer suggested hire a field for off lead exercise every day and on lead must all be training. I really really could not be arsed with that I must say. I am happy to do training sessions with my dog and I or DH do 2-4 short practice sessions every day and take dog to weekly classes but his ability to walk nicely on command in the garden, in class or briefly outside has not generalised to walking nicely all the time without a piece of chicken every 4 steps! He cannot be let off lead as he has no interest at all in coming back even for anything at all (dog class lady said he is particularly 'independent minded' and might not ever be reliable) therefore on normal walks I don't try to make him walk nicely by my side all the time as otherwise it would just be a frustrating exercise for us both and not enjoyable at all. I probably am undermining and confusing him by allowing him to walk 'badly' at times but it just seems impractical to insist on perfect walking all the time hence I thought the harness (you can sniff and pee etc) vs collar (you must walk with me) would be a good compromise although we are hardly a shining example of its benefits so far.
We started at a disadvantage as mine is a rescue so had got to 6 months without ever being walked on a lead so maybe it's just that we didn't start early enough but I do despair that we will ever have that holy grail of nice loose lead walking and perfect recall.

AwkwardPaws27 · 16/04/2022 10:50

He cannot be let off lead as he has no interest at all in coming back even for anything at all

In this case a harness and longline in parks, fields etc would be ideal as he can sniff, generally dog about etc and you have the line as back up if recall isn't solid.

I found those Facebook group helpful - www.facebook.com/groups/dogtrainingadviceandsupport/?ref=share

I had my cocker spaniel loose lead walking on harness or collar beautifully... however DH has been walking him as I'm heavily pregnant & he's lost it again Hmm so will be revisiting the training once I can manage it!

Cherrypies · 16/04/2022 12:33

I am finding this thread interesting, my problem is that my dog is reactive to other dogs, so must be on a lead. I currently use a k9 harness, as she does pull at times. She pulls in the park, especially if spots a squirrel.
However does not pull on the way, or back to the park, when on the pavement, about a 15 min walk. So does know how to walk nicely.
She hates putting the harness on, shys away, and I have to chase her around the kitchen!
I do use the longest flexi lead, so that does give her traction to pull, but as she has to stay on lead, that does give her some freedom.
Would it be better to use the 'y' harness?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 16/04/2022 12:39

@redbigbananafeet

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pet-Love-Harness-Leash-Padded/dp/B06XS5SHH7

I hadnt realised there could be issues with harnesses so find this interesting. What are thoughts on this type of harness? www.amazon.co.uk/Pet-Love-Harness-Leash-Padded/dp/B06XS5SHH7?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

That's a bar-type harness and very bad for the joints.

You want something like the Perfect Fit, Ruffwear Webmaster or Eagloo in terms of fit and style.

Notanotherwindow · 16/04/2022 14:24

You never let them go out the door first. You come out, they follow. You are leading them not them leading you. Use a halti or similar to enforce this at first if you need to but you don't want to be relying on it long term.

Every time they lunge or pull, you stop dead. Pay no attention and don't start moving again until they stand quietly with you. This may mean stopping literally every step for an hour but if that is what it takes, that's what it takes. Combine this with a command. I just say stop pulling. The work doesn't matter as long as you do it the same every time. I didn't use food as a reward but you can do.

At the very beginning, I excused pulling until I'd let him tear round the field for an hour. There's no good starting teaching something new when they're high as a kite. Wear them out and then introduce the new training on the way home.

Depending on the dog, do this for a few days or a few weeks. Mine are labradors so they are people pleasers and naturally pick up new things quickly. Some more stubborn breeds might take longer.

Then start gradually introducing the concept that this is how we walk all the time. With Ddog1 I did it by taking her into town with me after the walk and stopping every time she pulled. They learn best when they're knackered. Otherwise it's like reasoning with a sugar high toddler. Nothing gets through.

Gradually extend this to being the way we walk at ALL times

Never use a harness or flexi lead. Harnesses just let them put their full weight behind it and drag you. Flexi leads, you get more lead by pulling. They're not daft. This teaches them the opposite of what you want them to learn.

If you need one because their recall is shaky, use two. The flexi is the safety line only. You set it slightly longer than the normal lead and use only the normal lead to direct them. I find chain leads better because they are heavier so the dog is more aware of them. Do not use the slip chains that tighten when pulled. They don't help and are dangerous with a dog who pulls. Just a normal chain lead with a clip for the collar. Use a proper collar with a buckle, not a clip like you get on pram straps as these can break apart if yanked hard enough.

Then when you get to the area where they are allowed to run or wander. Say a signal like go play and remove the chain lead in favour of the flexi.

Try and get them to return to you before the hit the end of the line and yank your arm off. When teaching recall never call them back for anything negative. Call them back, give treat or throw ball and release them again. When it's time to go home, just walk over and attach the regular lead without a command or signal. You don't want them to associate returning to you when called with the end of the fun.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page