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The doghouse

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Original poster

Can my puppy wear a harness all day?

93 replies

HollyGrave · 28/07/2023 20:23

Finding it annoying taking it on and off to take outside or to pop a lead on when going into rooms that she needs to be close to me in, etc. can I just keep her in the harness until bedtime/unsupervised, where I'd obviously take it off or is that too much time spent in one?

OP posts:
Original poster
HollyGrave · 29/07/2023 07:58

Italian Greyhound :)

I know you seem to think I'm not prepared and it's a big shame as I actually am, wanted one for a very long time but wanted to wait until I was in the right home and of course the fence issue may be seen as irresponsible or whatever but I had been on a waiting list and didn't want to miss this litter, especially as having the main puppy months over the warmer but not too warm weather was ideal. The breeder didn't have an issue with it, they said I could pen off part of the grass anyway, as it was such a big space, but the "toilet spot" I take her to isn't divided yet but want to try and keep it separate to other parts of the garden.

I'm so far from lazy or struggling with "annoying" things puppies do. I simply found it annoying in my personal case of this having to take it on and off 50 times a day, maybe more. Think she was finding it irritating too, she keeps sitting for me to do it, which is cute but I do feel a bit sad for her as I don't want her to keep associating her harness as something that's going to be on and off 50 times in the day and be waiting for it to happen

OP posts:
twistyizzy · 29/07/2023 08:03

HollyGrave · 29/07/2023 07:58

Italian Greyhound :)

I know you seem to think I'm not prepared and it's a big shame as I actually am, wanted one for a very long time but wanted to wait until I was in the right home and of course the fence issue may be seen as irresponsible or whatever but I had been on a waiting list and didn't want to miss this litter, especially as having the main puppy months over the warmer but not too warm weather was ideal. The breeder didn't have an issue with it, they said I could pen off part of the grass anyway, as it was such a big space, but the "toilet spot" I take her to isn't divided yet but want to try and keep it separate to other parts of the garden.

I'm so far from lazy or struggling with "annoying" things puppies do. I simply found it annoying in my personal case of this having to take it on and off 50 times a day, maybe more. Think she was finding it irritating too, she keeps sitting for me to do it, which is cute but I do feel a bit sad for her as I don't want her to keep associating her harness as something that's going to be on and off 50 times in the day and be waiting for it to happen

Now see I understand you more, the way you wrote your first post really just sounded like you couldn't be arsed and that's why you got the responses that you got. If you had written your first post with the explanation you've just given then you would probably have had more constructive advice.
However I personally still don't see the need for constant tethering as I would always prefer to start training from Day 1 (I train working spaniels) and I have never found a need to tether in the house for anything.
It is probably too late but the book Easy, Peasy, Puppy Squeezy is a bible for the first couple of months and covers most situations.

VinEtFromage · 29/07/2023 08:07

@HollyGrave

I couldn't possibly comment without a photo, it's the 'law' in the dog house!

Don't let some aggressive or nasty posters put you off posting.

For your own sake, it's a shame the fencing wasn't done before you got the puppy, you've made it much harder on yourself this way.

Praise & treats should be enough in the house, it's the best time to teach recall.

as long as it's a soft harness & you check daily for any rubbing, having the harness on for most of the day is fine.

As a pp mentioned, make pup a place you can leave him by himself. He needs to get used to it & build up to being left for a few hours. A fog that can't be left st all is a nightmare situation.

remember the doggy tax!! (Photo)

GigiAnnna · 29/07/2023 08:09

I wouldn't recommend keeping the harness on but just want to say sorry you've had such nasty replies on here. No one knows everything about dogs when they have their first dog, a lot is trial and error. As long as you know the basics, you learn as you go along and get to know your dog.

northstarry · 29/07/2023 08:11

I was actually thinking the same thing. I find it a huge pain putting the harness on and off but my puppy would just chew it off so no chance of leaving it on inside!

VinEtFromage · 29/07/2023 08:13

twistyizzy · 29/07/2023 08:03

Now see I understand you more, the way you wrote your first post really just sounded like you couldn't be arsed and that's why you got the responses that you got. If you had written your first post with the explanation you've just given then you would probably have had more constructive advice.
However I personally still don't see the need for constant tethering as I would always prefer to start training from Day 1 (I train working spaniels) and I have never found a need to tether in the house for anything.
It is probably too late but the book Easy, Peasy, Puppy Squeezy is a bible for the first couple of months and covers most situations.

Show quote history

@twistyizzy

theres always the option of not assuming the worst of people & posting so aggressively.

CantFindTheBeat · 29/07/2023 08:16

In the early days with our dog, putting the harness on was akin to trying to lasso a wild bull, so I get your pain, OP!

Original poster
HollyGrave · 29/07/2023 08:21

@VinEtFromage oh always!! Love showing her off. She is beyond precious

Can my puppy wear a harness all day?
OP posts:
Wheresmyrobe · 29/07/2023 08:29

Definitely not. Dogs shouldn't even wear collars at home. There's a risk of hanging themselves.

Mindymomo · 29/07/2023 08:30

She’s gorgeous, if the harness doesn’t bother her I think a soft strap one will be fine to wear during the day. I feel your pain if your garden isn’t secured yet. We have a couple of Italian Greyhounds in our village, they are very cute trotting along.

NaturalStudy · 29/07/2023 08:54

@HollyGrave You've had some ridiculous responses on here from people who just want to try and prove they are so much better than you.

A soft well fitting harness used under supervision sounds fine. I have worked with trainers who train agility dogs to international competition standard and they use tethering in the house. I dont know how people expect you to have this magically trained puppy from day 1 without showing it what to do.

Keep going and enjoy your dog.

twistyizzy · 29/07/2023 08:54

Wheresmyrobe · 29/07/2023 08:29

Definitely not. Dogs shouldn't even wear collars at home. There's a risk of hanging themselves.

This!

IngGenius · 29/07/2023 08:58

Wow this thread is MN at its finest! Is it a full moon?

OP soft harness should be fine

Just check that the clips are not in a position to be uncomfortable when the puppy is lying down.

Obviously do not leave unsupervised in the harness as it can get caught on things and do not leave on the puppy if you put in a crate at all (If you do crate this thread will implode!).

House lines are used a lot in some types of training I prefer not to use it all the time eg have the dog wandering around with you but in specific situations eg chasing cats it is a great approach. Look at the cat look at you and get rewarded for staying with you. Look at the cat settle on a mat get rewarded.

As the puppy gets more training the lead will be needed less and less

Enjoy your puppy

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 29/07/2023 08:58

Well I've never heard of it and certainly no trainer I know uses that technique so 🤷‍♀️

So because you've never heard of something, it can't exist? 😂

Instead of tethering during witching hour why not just train a 'settle' command?

I did Confused the lead was used in addition to the command so that he couldn't practise the incorrect behaviour while he was training.

It worked beautifully and he happily settles on command now.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 29/07/2023 08:59

Wheresmyrobe · 29/07/2023 08:29

Definitely not. Dogs shouldn't even wear collars at home. There's a risk of hanging themselves.

How is that going to happen when OP is literally with her puppy all the time? Hmm

twistyizzy · 29/07/2023 09:13

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 29/07/2023 08:58

Well I've never heard of it and certainly no trainer I know uses that technique so 🤷‍♀️

So because you've never heard of something, it can't exist? 😂

Instead of tethering during witching hour why not just train a 'settle' command?

I did Confused the lead was used in addition to the command so that he couldn't practise the incorrect behaviour while he was training.

It worked beautifully and he happily settles on command now.

No, you said it was a common technique, it can't be that common if many people haven't heard of it.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 29/07/2023 09:23

No, you said it was a common technique, it can't be that common if many people haven't heard of it.

And yet plenty of people on this thread have heard of it Confused

Just because you personally haven't heard of something doesn't mean it's not common or popular 🙈

BoobyDazzler · 29/07/2023 09:26

Keeping a puppy attached to you all the time seems like a sure fire way of setting a dog up for a life of separation anxiety when you’re not there imo. Puppies need to learn that being on their own is ok and that starts with you leaving them for very short periods and then coming back with no drama - going to the loo etc.

Your cat is the best person to train your dog to respect cats.

twistyizzy · 29/07/2023 09:27

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 29/07/2023 09:23

No, you said it was a common technique, it can't be that common if many people haven't heard of it.

And yet plenty of people on this thread have heard of it Confused

Just because you personally haven't heard of something doesn't mean it's not common or popular 🙈

And a lot of people on this post have said they have never heard of it. I am on a lot of training groups sites and I've never heard of it there either. Just because you say it is common doesn't mean it is!

tabulahrasa · 29/07/2023 09:36

BoobyDazzler · 29/07/2023 09:26

Keeping a puppy attached to you all the time seems like a sure fire way of setting a dog up for a life of separation anxiety when you’re not there imo. Puppies need to learn that being on their own is ok and that starts with you leaving them for very short periods and then coming back with no drama - going to the loo etc.

Your cat is the best person to train your dog to respect cats.

My cat is very easygoing - I’m not going to let new dogs harass her just because it takes a lot for her to react 😐

Some people do attach puppies to them constantly, but what the OP is talking about is using a lead round the cats, if it was constantly she’d not be taking the harness on and off currently.

Helenloveslee4eva · 29/07/2023 09:36

My dog is 4.
sometimes he wears his harness all day. Sometimes he doesn’t. It fits , doesn’t rub and I see it like his collar . He’s content either way.
dont use a hard , shoulder restricting k9 type one though.
I can see why a house lead for a puppy is useful too. If you need it use it op .
pic of indoor dog on harness and trailing lead on floor this week fast asleep - lead etc on as he’s in dads care home and needed to have him under control just in case.

Moanycowbag · 29/07/2023 09:37

twistyizzy · 29/07/2023 09:27

And a lot of people on this post have said they have never heard of it. I am on a lot of training groups sites and I've never heard of it there either. Just because you say it is common doesn't mean it is!

Show quote history

Really? you seem to be shocked that others train differently from you, using a house line is quite an old and well used practise, but hey you train spaniels so you must be amazing and know everything!

Original poster
HollyGrave · 29/07/2023 09:44

Yes she isn't attached to me all the time, far from it! And if I'm in the living room, it can come off if the cat has made its way to the cat tree/left to go to another room that's gated off, etc. it's literally quickly put on her when I see the cat is getting up/coming to the place we are, so it just stays next to me but as you can imagine being able to clip it to the harness quickly is great vs having to try and put the harness on too and it seems to defeat the whole point!

Yes we command train WITH the lead :) it's so you can prevent the chase from starting and they know to think what's needed from them and do it vs them just going for the chase.

As I say, one of my cats is very chill and will literally be laying around on the floor (the blind one) knows the dog is there and doesn't care = he's not reacting/teaching the dog anything and so it's my job to do so! I'm just trying to make sure they're all happy

OP posts:
Wheresmyrobe · 29/07/2023 09:55

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 29/07/2023 08:59

How is that going to happen when OP is literally with her puppy all the time? Hmm

Show quote history

No she isn't, she's said so.

Original poster
HollyGrave · 29/07/2023 10:05

Where did I say that? I literally said in the OP if she is sleeping or unsupervised I obviously don't have it on

OP posts: