Harness question

[Buddy'sNewMom]

I bought Buddy a harness today, hoping it would make "walkies" a little easier for both of us. (It did. We just got home from a lovely 20 minute walk and had much fewer tangles and no problems with him chewing on the lead).

My question is this: Do people generally leave the harness on the dog 24/7, like you would a collar, or take it on and off, using it only for going for a walk or being tied up outside or whatever? He doesn't seem to mind wearing it, but I'm not sure whether to leave it on him or what. Any suggestions?

 

[Renee750il]

I'm so glad to hear the harness is making life easier on the two of you. They can be real shoulder socket savers with a big dog.

I take the harness off of my dogs for several reasons. First, being out in the country like we are, a harness, or even a collar for that matter, is just too easy to get caught on fences and underbrush. Next, if you leave a harness on 24/7 it will rub the fur underneath and can get hot and uncomfortable under the front legs in the summer. Also, if you take it off after and put it on before walks it gives your dog a clear signal that the walk is over and it's time to do something else, or that HURRAY! It's time for a walk!

 

[milo]

can you help?

hi there im getting a puppy lab on wednesday and i was just wondering when we do take my pup and dog out would i have to put him on a harness? or just a normal lead!!!!!!!!!! Has any one got any ideas?

 

[Renee750il]

I really like using a harness, especially for puppies. It gives you much more control, gives them a greater feeling of security, can't slip off and allow them to run off, makes it easier to train, gives you something quick and easy to grab if you need to; all in all, I just feel it's a far superior way to walk a puppy compared to a collar or "choke chain."

You can get harnesses now that will adjust to a wide variance of sizes so that it will grow with your puppy.

 

[Buddy'sNewMom]

Hi Milo!

What kind of dog are you getting?

I tried a regular buckle collar first, but was having trouble with the lead hanging down underneath my dog when we went walking, tripping him up and getting tangled around his legs. Also, with the leash right there practically in front of his face, he couldn't resist chewing on it! (<--- might have been more a problem with me not correcting him properly, than with the collar) Anyway, I though a harness might be a better option, since the leash clips on to it on the top, keeping it out of puppy's way. So far it seems to be working quite well, and he doesn't mind wearing it.

I've heard harnesses are helpful for dogs that tend to pull on the leash when you walk them, and that they're especially usefull for big dogs.

After some more training, I might try going back to just a collar. We'll see how he does. This is my first puppy, so I'm playing it all by ear! I'm sure some of the more experienced members will have a better answer for you. Congratulations on the new addition to the family coming soon!

Oh - and I try to walk my dog every night before bed, so he's nice and tired and settles down to sleep.

Edited to add: Renee and I must have been typing at the same time! Told you you'd get some great tips!

 

[Renee750il]

Your puppy will need to go out first thing in the morning - hopefully he won't have messed in the house at night, but he probably will for a week or so.

After he's eaten and played for 10-20 minutes he'll probably need to go out again, and have a nice rambunctious play session in the evening, then take him our for a good long walk so he'll have done his business and be good and tired and ready for bed, like BuddysNewMom said.

If you'll watch, you'll notice when he's been playing for awhile he'll either start looking like he's got to go, or he'll plunk down and take a nap. If he's sniffing around, take him outside. If he takes a nap, he'll probably need to go out after he wakes up.