I am about to order a few more videos from Leerburg, but before I do I have a question, that might save me some shipping fees <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. One of the titles I am going to get is Preparing Your Dog for the Helper. In the video summary, on the Leerburg web site, it mentions a segment in the video dealing with training equipment. I am wondering if I will require a bite pillow for this work? I have a soft sleeve and a large tug but can this portion of the foundation work be acheived with these items or will I require additional equipment?

Not that I can say for sure that my dog is ready for this step, but the vid should give me a better clue <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Thanx 4 the advise!!

Brad,
You can get by just fine with the tug and a soft sleeve. But make sure that you have a good harness ( Ed's is a good one: http://www.leerburg.com/799.htm ) and a *good* tie-out line.
Some dogs can manage with an agitation collar ( http://www.leerburg.com/808.htm ) but I still try to start off novice dogs in a harness.

Hope that helps..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks so much, Will!! I haven't posted much on the forum, especially compared to some, but when I have, it seems as though I have been targeted by you, mostly, with excellent advise. I would just like to extend my thanks!

With that said, my dog is mid sized, approx 50 lbs, Rott-Shep mix; are the harnesses one size fits all? If not, how do I measure the dog to ensure a proper fit?

In addition, I began tracking in a harness to get the association of a harness to a track in order to get the dog "in the zone". it is winter here now, in the Great White North, but before we stopped for the season she was able to follow a track with just a leather collar and line fed under her body. How will the use of a harness in both tracking and protection affect training? Should I take any precautions or just sort of see what happens?

That question is not specifically directed at you, Will, (don't feel obligated <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> ) but, of course your thoughts are most welcome!

Thanx all...

Brad, the harnesses are adjustable, so you shouldn't have any problems getting a correct fit there. The Leerburg harness Number 799-1 adjusts from 29" to 42" and the number 802 adjusts from 23" to 40". Measure your dog around the widest area of his chest to get the max. girth reading.

I only track in a harness if I'm forced to ( like for an AKC tracking trial ), I strongly prefer to track dogs using the collar method only, if possible.
If you're worried that your dog will associate the harness with protection and get squirrelly during tracking, I'd suggest that you start to use a different "ritual" before each different aspect of training - for instance, before tracking you can put his harness on and down your dog and spend some time straightening out the tracking leash ( Flinks uses this exact method ) before you start off to the track. For protection, you could put the harness on and amp up your dog with something like "who's out there..get'em boy!" and take him out to the protection area.
I'm a big believer in rituals and I've definitely seen more success since I've started using them for training and competition.


And Brad, I tend to answer your questions becuase you ask focused training questions that are easy to give a specific answer to! Those type of questions are much easier to answer than the type that require a more "opinion" based reply. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again, Will... you're the man.

Btw.. your new pup looks great!