Do you use an EZ Walk or similar harness?

[Stella]

I was talking about this is another discussion, and thought I should post it here for wider viewing! I am a 'people' physiotherapist and have done a post-graduate diploma in Canine Rehabilitation. It has recently been noticed by several rehab experts that this style of harness can be responsible for causing injuries - primarily of the shoulder. This style of harness, horizontal strap across the front of the shoulder, works to prevent pulling by decreasing the stride length of the front legs and putting pressure across the front of the shoulder. This decreased stride, and pressure in the area can cause chronic injury. The EZ walk and other similar harnesses should be used as a training tool to teach loose leash walking, please don't continue to use them indefinitely. Once you have mastered loose leash walking, it is best to switch to a Y style harness which splits after it has come between the front legs and passes around the base of the neck. For more info, read these articles :)

http://www.pawsitive-performance.com/blog/does-your-dogs-harness-fi...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2bvu0r7eYOvTmhmZlNFYWhRSkU/view?p...

https://alpineoutfitters.net/scripts/article.asp

[F, Calla & Luca]

What do you think of prong collars. The doodles and I love them. I think they are very safe since pressure is well distributed and I really have almost no pulling when they are on.

[Stella]

On a personal level I am not a fan of prong collars, they can be misused in inexperienced or frustrated hands. But, I also understand that doodles can be strong and bull headed, and we need to be able to control them! I guess my thoughts are that all these things we have - gentle leaders, EZ walk harnesses, choke and prong collars etc. are all tools that we can use to help us to teach our doods what is expected when it comes to walking with us - to walk without pulling! I am not a dog trainer, but would hope that in most cases once the dog understands what is required of him, you can fade out the tool to safely use a flat collar or regular harness.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I could certainly walk the dogs without prong collars but I keep them on for emergencies. Should a rabbit cross our path, and this has happened, I have two strong doodles to control. They would probably pull me off my feet in flat collars but prong collars quickly remind them to behave.

[Stella]

:)

[Jennifer and Jack]

F I totally understand what you are saying, my 18 pound dog has almost flipped me right out of my chair over a cat... We are not any good to our doodles with broken hips....

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

 Thanks for posting this as it will make for a great and lively discussion.  Personally, harness are just too much trouble but I have just ordered and Easy Walk one for our upcoming foster as she has never been walked on anything but an extend-a-lead which I refuse to use.

[Stella]

Yep, the EZ walk can be a great tool to prevent pulling. But, once the pulling is resolved, it is best to switch to another method of attaching the leash to the dog! Biggest oxymoron I see - dogs being walked with a no-pull harness while on a flexi leash, that dog is never going to learn not to pull!!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

HAHAHAH I and Cry, that is how I walk Jack on my scooter..... I am determined to find the right harness for him today.... his girth is 18 inches... so I know they have them...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This foster's owner used the flexi-leash, hence our harness use. :-}

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am so excited to learn better ways to walk Jack ! We are ordering one..... I am convinced even more as per our discussion that Jack is feeling the affects of running with an Ez harness. Thank you for your input

[Stella]

:)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I used an EZ walk harness for Beau from about 5 - 8 months. I thing it is a good tool, but not for long term.   I was walking both doodles at the same time - Charlie being smaller, having a shorter legs & gait, and just plain slo-mo and only walks about 15 minutes and then he is ready to head back home and play ball.  Beau on the other hand has twice the length in gait as Charlie and he wants to zip right along!  I now walk them separately - it is much more enjoyable and I get one on one time with them and the other stays behind with DH.