"Webbed Harness"

[TrishB]

Got it!

Petsmart - $22.99 Canadian
"Top Paw" Adjustable Harness

Thanks all!! You guys rock!

[BostonRott]

Have fun at the seminar and be sure to report in with notes!

[TrishB]

We're back! It was a great day. Even though it was a 3 hour drive there and a 3 hour drive home - it was fun! We did straight lines, articles and to top it off, a 100 meter track with 2 turns!

Kim Cooper was great, easy to understand and very effective. She also taught us about measuring our steps, being aware of the distance travelled, how to walk a straight line (no, you don't walk as straight as you think! ) and the importance of a tracking log book.

I think I may see at TD in our future....

Back to the topic, the harness was fine (D ring at the back rather than the middle, just like you guys said). If we get more serious, we *may* need another one with some neoprean padding - but that's only if he's a super puller. This one was just fine!

I also picked up a cotton lunge line (horses). It's 20ft - I'm probably gonig to cut it back to 15ft. There's no way I'll send him out further than 12 feet - so I won't miss maintaining those useless 5 ft.

[Judi W]

Well, between you, your dog, Gretchen's harness and Kim seems like you have discovered new territories! Glad it was such a success.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Well, between you, your dog, Gretchen's harness and Kim seems like you have discovered new territories! Glad it was such a success.

Don't forget my SAR instructor Susan Read who suggested that I go!

[Judi W]

Well, I try to keep up but it is near the end of the day and you know how older folks lose a few things as the day progresses

[BostonRott]

Trish,

If you got what I think you did (the lounge line).........it's VERY heavy when it gets wet (heavy dew, rain, snow/slush). I went to a local outdoors store that sells climbing ropes and got something called "flat tubular". It's thin, light and does NOT burn one's hands. It's also not heavy when soaked. Had mom sew a brass snap on the end of it and it's worked out great.

The store where I bought it also has an online site.

EMS Flat webbing #1

EMS Flat webbing #2

I've shown the line to several tracking judges and they think it's great. Banja pulls hard enough to make anyone into a kite and this line has held up well.

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

Trish,

If you got what I think you did (the lounge line).........it's VERY heavy when it gets wet (heavy dew, rain, snow/slush). I went to a local outdoors store that sells climbing ropes and got something called "flat tubular". It's thin, light and does NOT burn one's hands. It's also not heavy when soaked. Had mom sew a brass snap on the end of it and it's worked out great.

I don't know if that is the same as climbing "rope", but a lot of people use climbing rope, the diameter to match their dogs. Tie knots and metal nuts to signal different lengths (ie 10 feet, 20 feet, almost the end). Put a metal snap on the end and you have a tracking line. I would suggest 30+ feet for a line. You will be amazed when you will be happy with the "extra" line. Also get a mesh bag to keep your line in. It helps to keep it from being tangled and keeps it from getting mildew while it dries.

[BostonRott]

No, not the same thing as climbing rope. It's nylon mesh, kinda like a puppy leash, but more finely woven, and instead of being one flat piece, it's actually a flattened tube. The links should take you directly to 2 pictures of it.

This is climbing rope Its round and fat. The stuff I posted above is not.

[MontanaRott]

Good deal Trish! We pick a spot on the horizen and use it to keep us going straight and us a log too. We make note of lenght of track, turns, landmarks, etc and weather conditions. And we make a drawing of the track as well. The line we use is tiny braided nylon that is a 1/4 in wide, and 40' long. Does not tangle easily or get heavy at all when wet.

[BostonRott]

To truly keep yourself straight, and to be absolutely sure that you're REALLY on the track, you should line up two obstacles (i.e. a tuft of grass with a particular tree)........just like you would a gun sight. If your tree and pole don't line up exactly, you're a bit off to the side.......this is especially useful when you've got really dead/flat grass.

[trackermom]

If you get seriously into tracking and want something more for a harness, though my pet store ones have served me well, check out www.rayallen.com
For their Patrol Harness, and Padded tracking harness. They are great products.

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

No, not the same thing as climbing rope. It's nylon mesh, kinda like a puppy leash, but more finely woven, and instead of being one flat piece, it's actually a flattened tube. The links should take you directly to 2 pictures of it.

This is climbing rope Its round and fat. The stuff I posted above is not.

I didn't take a good look at what some of the folks around here are using since I really like my leather line. They told me it was climbing rope, don't know if it is tube or solid.
I can't believe that I started Fizbin on parachut line. When I got my leather tracking line, I had a brass tack put in the 20 foot mark (AKC regs say that in TD and TDX the handler needs to be 20 feet behind the dog). A year and a half later, I measured where the tack was and it was now nearly at 23 feet

[Judi W]

All my long lines (tracking and obedience) are made from rapelling line, like Gretchen describes. It is from a mountaineering shop or any outdoor outfitters will sell by the foot. Inexpensive, very kind to the hands, does not load up with moisture....... all round great stuff

[rottnkidd]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

When I got my leather tracking line, I had a brass tack put in the 20 foot mark (AKC regs say that in TD and TDX the handler needs to be 20 feet behind the dog). A year and a half later, I measured where the tack was and it was now nearly at 23 feet

Francis- I have the Premier nylon harness and their 40 ft, 2-tone nylon line. The first 20' is BRIGHT orange, the other 20' is brown. I keep any excess tossed over my shoulder and dragging behind. We've tracked in all sorts of weather and the line has remained 'light' and true to size!
Best wishes -
kathy