Tracking Harness- How should it fit?

[Jadex]

Ryker's girth is 28" and the harness I bought was for 25"-35". I really have no idea how it's supposed to fit. Should it be loose around the neck? The front plate seems very bulky. I'm just trying to figure out how it's not supposed to be restrictive. It doesn't seem any less restrictive than a regular Y harness to me. Does this look like it's fitted properly?

 

[DJEtzel]

Yeah, that looks like how we fit protection harnesses.

 

[Jadex]

Yeah, that looks like how we fit protection harnesses.

Thanks. I ordered the smallest size they had, but it seems bulky. Maybe because he has a narrow chest.

 

[release the hounds]

it looks like one too tracking harnesses usually have the clip underneath so the leash goes back between the legs. This one looks to be up top near the handle.

Not sure if it makes a difference for you, but i know in the past it was in the rules the leash either passes under the front leg or between the back legs. Since it's how i've always done it, I never looked again to see if that's still the case.

 

[Jadex]

it looks like one too tracking harnesses usually have the clip underneath so the leash goes back between the legs. This one looks to be up top near the handle.

Not sure if it makes a difference for you, but i know in the past it was in the rules the leash either passes under the front leg or between the back legs. Since it's how i've always done it, I never looked again to see if that's still the case.

I'm just getting into tracking but, haven't heard of this. Was it a schutzhund or AKC rule? He still has his family jewels so I can't imaging a leash between the legs would be very comfortable! :yikes:

 

[Jadex]

I did a little google searching and it looks like a lot of agitation harnesses are also labeled as tracking harnesses and then there is this ....... http://leerburg.com/leathertrackharness-handle.htm
Maybe it would be better to get that type? ^^^

 

[FG167]

I'm just getting into tracking but, haven't heard of this. Was it a schutzhund or AKC rule? He still has his family jewels so I can't imaging a leash between the legs would be very comfortable! :yikes:

They get over it. My boys never really noticed, they were started young before their nuts were really visible.

I did a little google searching and it looks like a lot of agitation harnesses are also labeled as tracking harnesses and then there is this ....... http://leerburg.com/leathertrackharness-handle.htm
Maybe it would be better to get that type? ^^^

The hook for the leash is still on top. I don't know about AKC, but we do IPO and we always thread the leash down and between. Especially when training it helps to encourage the head down/deep into the scent. Vs air scenting. I've seen harnesses like that used on trailing dogs though.

This is an IPO Bottcher band/harness

2015-02-15, Jentry Bottcher-1 by Falon167, on Flickr

 

[GatorDog]

I believe for most other types of tracking besides IPO, you use a harness with a clip on the back, which would make your harness just fine for tracking. In IPO, we have to use either a flat collar or the Bottcher harness.

 

[Jadex]

I believe for most other types of tracking besides IPO, you use a harness with a clip on the back, which would make your harness just fine for tracking. In IPO, we have to use either a flat collar or the Bottcher harness.

Thanks for the info. I know in AKC you can also use a regular flat collar, but I don't attach leashes to his collar because he pulls too much. He very rarely ever air scents.

 

[Elrohwen]

I did an AKC tracking seminar and they said you could use any type of harness you want that is comfortable for the dog. They didn't mention anything about clipping on the bottom so I think that's primarily IPO. All of the demo dogs had back clip harnesses, maybe just standard H-style.

I agree with you that the chest plate seems a bit big on him, but it could just be his build that makes it look a little awkward while it otherwise fits well. Could you return it and get one from somewhere else? Or a different style?

 

[Jadex]

I did an AKC tracking seminar and they said you could use any type of harness you want that is comfortable for the dog. They didn't mention anything about clipping on the bottom so I think that's primarily IPO. All of the demo dogs had back clip harnesses, maybe just standard H-style.

I agree with you that the chest plate seems a bit big on him, but it could just be his build that makes it look a little awkward while it otherwise fits well. Could you return it and get one from somewhere else? Or a different style?

Yeah I think I'm going to return it and get something else. I wasn't sure what was meant by "non-restrictive" I assumed they were talking about the chest part, but I guess it just refers to having the shoulders open. I wanted a leather one with a handle so I think I'm just going to get the leerburg harness w/out the chest plate.

 

[Keechak]

I love Hawk's tracking harness and I specifically got it with a chest plate for comfort because he pulled so hard in it. He has used it in two tests getting titles in each one and he uses it 90% of the time when i train with my SAR team. It looks almost exactly like the one you got just without the quick clips.