looking for a harness

[doozer619]

hey everyone. i'm trying to find a good quality walking harness for my 8 week old puppy Yogi. he has one now that i keep on him for the better part of the day so he can get used to wearing it, but it's fairly cheesy nylon and i'm concerned about how it feels against his skin. he's not scratching at it yet but i'm positive he will be in the next few days. i'm willing to drop the extra dime to get a good quality adjustable leather one that he can wear for the next 6 months or so, or untill he grows out of it. problem is, theres nobody i can find locally that sells them, and all the online vendors swear their harness is the greatest thing since sliced bread. any and all help would be very appreciated. also before i forget, it will just be for walking and general wear. i really have no desire for the padded, blinged out, rhinestone, rushing style harnesses. thanks in advance everyone!

[Terri Lambert]

Just checking to see why you would want a harness oppose to a good quality collar? Harness actually teach a puppy or dog to pull, if you think about it dogs that wear harnesses are either pulling a sled, leading the blind, carting, tracking or weight pulling. You may actually want to get him/her a collar instead and get him in a training class. I see no reason to use a harness in everyday life unless you dog has a back or neck injury or if he is doing a sport that requires a harness.

[gmo1379]

I would recommend trying out a Sens-ible dog harness. It's a very good quality training harness.

you can check it out here: Dog Training Equipment, Dog Training Collar Alternatives | Softouch Concepts, Inc.

[doozer619]

i dont actually plan on getting him into a pulling type of sport, but i do a fair amount of hiking and camping and i'd like to get him more involved with carrying his own stuff around on a harness. i definately plan on using a collar more often than not, but i'd like to get him used to the idea of wearing a harness around while he's still young. so really i just want a good quality harness to make things easier on him (and me) later on in life. but also, chances are wherever i find this harness i'll be buying a quality collar too. where i live walmart is about the also place available for anything pet related, forcing me to go online. and while walmart sells brushes and whatnot that are good to go, good quality anything for a dog is rare in my neck of the woods.

[brunie's mom]

Forget the harness. Start teaching your puppy to walk with a leash and collar.
Terri is right, when you put a harness on a dog that teaches them to pull.

I also suggest you start looking for a puppy class and start taking it when the appropriate vaccines are done.

Gina

[brunie's mom]

Forget about buying quality stuff for now...Walmart is fine. Your puppy is going to be growing fast, and will outgrow collars quickly. Just get a cheap flat nylon collar that adjusts and then keep buying new ones as he outgrows these.
Once he is done growing you can get him quality stuff if you want.

Your puppy will not be able to carry stuff till he is older at least 18 months, so don't bother with any harness. At about 12 months you can start getting him used to wearing a harness...he will not freak out. Is he going to be wearing a harness in the car with a seatbelt? That should get him used to being in a harness .

Gina

[Nishasmom]

When he is old enough to carry stuff, they make doggie backpacks! They are so cute, and hold a lot. REI sells some good ones. I too, would stick with the collar.

[doozer619]

thanks for the advice everyone. i'll go ahead and put the harness on hiatus for now. the leash is on him now and suprisingly enough he's already pretty good at walking by my side. i think the breeder just started teaching him early, because theres no way he's this good this quick.

[SABELLESMOM]

He won't be ready for a hiking harness until he has achieved full growth, as well as able to leashwalk with a flat collar and leash...and... grows into his brain.

At that time, I recommend a Ruffdider Roadie Harness for hiking. It has attatchments for collapsable bowls, water packs, first aid kits, etc. Another advantage is it doubles as a saftey harness/seatbelt for your car. It comes in a variety of prices depending on what you feel you need or afford. Ruffrider.com | Dog Seatbelts | Car Safety Harnesses and Pet Safety

I use mine all the time with the girls! PS: Harnesses designed for pulling are entirely different.