Bridge Handles?

[stardogs]

Since we have a number of SD handlers here, I figured I'd ask if any of you have a good source for a medium length, rigid bridge handle that can clip to D rings on an SD vest.

A client of mine's SDiT is ready to start working in full gear and we need a nice bridge handle for her vest, which looks like this:



The dog will be doing light guide work (not mobility), so the handle needs to be comfy for my client to use for longer periods and lay flat when not in use.

[Saeleofu]

I have NOT found anything that work well or looks like it would work well. I had that same harness for Logan at first, and it just wasn't working. If the dog's going to be doing guide work, it's really best to get a guide harness. I've really, really tried so many other options and they just don't work. I'll be getting a guide harness for Logan soon. Part of the reason that vest doesn't work is that theD rings are too far back. They really ought to be placed very far forwards.

Hilason has some good harnesses for a decent price - currently around $75. If her dog is full grown and you're reasonable confident it won't wash out, it might be worth investing in a custom-made guide harness.

Here are the Hilason ones http://www.hilason.com/category/60/0...+PRODUCTS.aspx

The Bridgeport and Active Dogs guide harnesses are NOT recommended. The Bridgeport one makes some funky pressure points and the leather holding the clips to the handle wears out quickly. The Active Dogs one is just overall weird and the handle has big bulky clips that reduce the useful feedback through the harness.

[MicksMom]

What about these?

http://www.workingservicedog.com/Lea...ge_handle.aspx

http://www.workingservicedog.com/Neo...ge_Handle.aspx

[Saeleofu]

Originally Posted by MicksMom

What about these?

http://www.workingservicedog.com/Lea...ge_handle.aspx

http://www.workingservicedog.com/Neo...ge_Handle.aspx

The first one is the Active Dogs one. You see the size of those snaps compared to the size of the handle? Way too huge. I'm also not entirely sure it's rigid.

The second one is not rigid and absolutely will not work for guiding. A guide handle MUST be rigid. This one also happens to be from Active Dogs (and if you're going to buy something, it's best to buy from the source, not from a 3rd party website that will mark it up even further).

Really, an actual guide harness with an appropriately sized handle is your best bet. Having a handle that's too short WILL affect the handler's gait and cause shoulder, wrist, and back issues. That's part of my problem right now - the handle I'm currently using is not long enough, and I can tell you first hand that after even a short walk my shoulder and back are sore (when they're otherwise not) and my hand is numb.

[frostfell]

not meaning to be offensive, and i hope im not, but you all are clearly not blind, as youre typing on a computer/keyboard, so im curious what is a sighted persons use of those kinds of handles? i dont know a whole lot at all about various SD tasks, im afraid

[Sekah]

I'll leave the SD questions to those who know more than me, but there are plenty of blind people who use computers to chat on forums, etc, too.

[meepitsmeagan]

Originally Posted by frostfell

not meaning to be offensive, and i hope im not, but you all are clearly not blind, as youre typing on a computer/keyboard, so im curious what is a sighted persons use of those kinds of handles? i dont know a whole lot at all about various SD tasks, im afraid

I got the impression she was asking for a client, not herself.

[CharlieDog]

Originally Posted by frostfell

not meaning to be offensive, and i hope im not, but you all are clearly not blind, as youre typing on a computer/keyboard, so im curious what is a sighted persons use of those kinds of handles? i dont know a whole lot at all about various SD tasks, im afraid

Not everyone who needs guide work is blind.

[milos_mommy]

Originally Posted by frostfell

not meaning to be offensive, and i hope im not, but you all are clearly not blind, as youre typing on a computer/keyboard, so im curious what is a sighted persons use of those kinds of handles? i dont know a whole lot at all about various SD tasks, im afraid

Guide work (not even balance work, although lots of people use them for balance) can be used to help a handler with lots of different perception or mobility impairment issues. For example, I have seizures, and when I do, I sometimes wander a bit aimlessly where I have no idea where I'm going (ie, in to traffic, or in circles). However, if someone guides me by the arm or hand (or I'm holding onto a handle) I'll just follow where ever they take me. So a service dog with mobility would be trained to guide me someplace safe.

They can be trained to go to a car, seek out a public bathroom, guide the handler to a bed or bench, or even find homes. They're often used by handlers with PTSD and various neurological disorders (autism, seizures, Parkinson's, narcolepsy to name a few).

And plenty of blind people have the ability to post on forums and browse the Internet with modern software.

[kaykay21]

Originally Posted by frostfell

not meaning to be offensive, and i hope im not, but you all are clearly not blind, as youre typing on a computer/keyboard, so im curious what is a sighted persons use of those kinds of handles? i dont know a whole lot at all about various SD tasks, im afraid

my cousin is blind. he has a system that he talks to that types and reads for him. assuming cause someone is on the computer typing doesnt mean they dont have vision issues.

now to op im not sure what brand his handel is but ill post a pic of elliot wearing it. this particular one seems to work well for him.