 Harness
#230530 - 03/06/2009 07:54 AM |
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Lucy got the results of her lab work and she is perfect! A low CPK but I was told no worries.
However, when she hits the end of the lead (not often, but she when she does, she hits hard), she hacks and coughs for a quite a time after. (Will be having that checked later, but out of money right now).
So, I am looking into a harness for her. The cheap one at home works nicely in that she actually doesn't pull as much as she does with a collar (imagine that!). It does, however, slip and slide and that irritates me and drives her nuts.
I looked at the tracking harnesses from Leerburg and I like the looks of them. I like the buckles to adjust and the padding. Would this work for her? I would like something I can use now and then, later, when I start working on her tracking, I can use it then too.
My questions are: Can ANY harness be "slip or slide" proof? And, should I be looking at different harness?
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Re: Harness
[Re: Jo Harker ]
#230531 - 03/06/2009 08:14 AM |
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Run your hand firmly up and down her throat, apply a small amount of pressure - if there is an injury or something that should evoke the same response.
I am not a fan of walking dogs in harnesses as they encourage the dogs to pull. The only harnesses that do not slip are the leather ones that fully adjust - it would need to be properly fitted to prevent it from slipping.
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Re: Harness
[Re: Tanith Wheeler ]
#230545 - 03/06/2009 09:38 AM |
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On my dogs, using a prong collar completely eliminates choking and gasping. You could use one until you get your harness (and may even decide you don't need a harness). It will also discourage pulling.
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Re: Harness
[Re: Angela Burrell ]
#230551 - 03/06/2009 10:03 AM |
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Angela,
I thought about a prong. I think I need to read up on it and evaluate whether I am capable of using it correctly. (I weigh everything...sigh).
Tanith, thanks for the advice of checking her throat. (I am at work right now, but will check when I get home).
All good information.
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Re: Harness
[Re: Jo Harker ]
#230552 - 03/06/2009 10:07 AM |
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Just go to a pet store, put the prong collar on your leg or arm, and pull both rings as you would to correct the dog. If you have never used a prong before you will be surprised how painless it really is. (Especially compared to a choke chain - ouch! those things hurt). The prong is simply not capable of choking a dog due to the way it was designed. Just remember to use a DD or nylon slip collar as a backup, in case the prong decides to pop off just when a rabbit runs by. 
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Re: Harness
[Re: Angela Burrell ]
#230557 - 03/06/2009 10:20 AM |
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Harnesses can work for awhile, leading many folks to swear by them.
Unfortunately, many dogs learn that they can pull with even greater ease in a harness (that's exactly WHY we use them during tracking and protection training, so the dog may pull against the leash without discomfort, and in fact to ENCOURAGE the dog to pull).
Coughing and reverse sneezing is very common with slip collars (and even flat collars, with extreme pullers).
For safety and effectiveness, a prong collar really is the best approach to walking.
Once the dog has been trained to walk correctly (no pulling, lunging, running to the end of the slack leash) you could consider returning to a flat collar, and using an E-collar for those "just in case" moments on walks.
ETA: Pet store prong collars often have unfinished, rough prongs. Any scratching that you may experience with a petstore prong, will not occur with a quality HS prong from Leerburg.
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Re: Harness
[Re: Aaron Myracle ]
#230572 - 03/06/2009 11:29 AM |
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I watched the podcast (?) of fitting the prong, read the articles under the selection of prongs and how to attach the DD collar to the prong.
One question I do have: Some dogs have a lot of skin (turkey wattles...think Basset and Bloodhound) under their necks. If I were to measure Lucy's neck behind her ears and up under her jaw, do I smoosh the extra skin? I know this sounds...well...stupid...but I am leaning toward the prong.
I also wonder if I do train her track or scent, will she still work with a prong?
(Looking over my questions I see I have more reading to do. I am in no hurry to begin training her. I am going to concentrate on Obedience 101 first.)
Thanks for the suggestions and first hand information!
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Re: Harness
[Re: Aaron Myracle ]
#230573 - 03/06/2009 11:30 AM |
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the prong has really been a lifesaver for me with Yote, who would pull to the point of vomiting before we started using it.
After about 6 months of work he never hits the end of the leash with the prong and we can get to the end of the block and back on a flat collar with no pulling.
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Re: Harness
[Re: Jennifer Lee ]
#230578 - 03/06/2009 11:54 AM |
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I think if you wanted to track her, you would use a harness at that point to encourage pulling (and inattentiveness lol.. you want her focusing on the scent and not the handler). (I'm not a tracker but that's my impression anyway).
The prong would be used on regular walks and potty breaks. Trust me, when you train her she will know the difference. Harness = tracking time, not harness = not tracking time.
As for fitting, if you plan on ordering from Leerburg you can just email them and ask about how to fit the prong on your dog, the sales people are very helpful. If you are going to buy a Herm Sprenger from a pet store, get a couple of extra links so you can try different sizes on the dog before finding one that works.
She will probably scratch at the collar the first few times she has it on, because it will feel wierd to her. Don't worry, she will soon get used to it.
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Re: Harness
[Re: Jennifer Lee ]
#230579 - 03/06/2009 12:01 PM |
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Thanks Jennifer. If Yote has come around then Lucy can.
I don't think I have a real issue with prongs. Grandpa would have his choke chains as high up as he possibly could and let the dog make the decision to choke or not. (But he also had a flat collar just in case the dog was stupid and would back off). He would've been the first to approve of prongs.
And, I have the Marker DVD and Pack Structure and none of Ed's and Cindy's dogs appear to be "beaten" down or frightened of them which would certainly be the case if prongs were torture devices.
There isn't a trainer in this area (that I am aware of) who would be able to help me with the prong to ease my mind that I am doing it correctly.
I do want a DVD that shows training with prongs. Is there one?
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