Harness hassle

[Sally S Miles]

I am so frustrated with trying to find harnesses to fit my dogs - think I have broken a molar or two in the process of gritting my teeth.  I have tried six different brands and all don't fit.  I just got through repackaging the Easy Walk to return to Amazon - now that was my most hopeful and I'm just deflated at this point.    Why would they put the buckle in the armpit?

Can somebody  throw me a bone - what is wrong with my dogs, they aren't deformed or abnormal size -  I accidentally found a soft harness that fits Journey, but needed it for Elmer and it was a total no way.  This has gotten so tremendously aggrivating and I'm just really stressed at the moment - life is a bit bumpy right now anyway, but all I want to do is take my dogs out without choking them or damaging myself.     I gave up on finding one that I could use in the car,  nothing fit. 

I've scoured here and I guess I'm in need of something totally outside the box -   could somebody toss me a bone please?

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

You've got the lead ring at the dog's chest, right?

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

When all said and done, you would only need to latch one buckle when taking on and off.

[Sally S Miles]

That part I liked, parts operated smoothly and all.

Yes I did have the ring in front - I was  ticked off when they didn't work. The gal at local shop swore they would fit and so many here on DK love theirs. Ah well - I'm used to living in a world where the sizing of things is off, ha ha.  

[Miss Ellie]

That's the very same one we have for Ellie...too funny:)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Put it all together and then ONLY USE THE BLACK STRAP.  That's what saves my sanity. The black strap goes under the belly.

We use a tween size and that's what finally worked for us

[BG and Gavin]

I totally feel your pain.  Trying to find a harness that fits Gavin is impossible.  His chest is so deep, yet he is thin - so everything was too small and too big at the same time.  Our current one is not perfect, but pretty good.  Keep in mind I do not use it for walking, but in the car for safety.  Gavin is 80lb.  I have the extra large Rogz harness.

http://www.rogz.com/product/utility-reflective-stitching-stepin-har...

[Sally S Miles]

It's not on backwards -  I got the two tone colored ones so the belly strap was easily defined and can assure you the buckle was in armpits on both.  They were both so good about me getting them on and adjusting, fiddling, and Elmer happily washed my face when I deflated.

I did order tween sizes, which tells me that going smaller is going to be a bigger problem. 

Both are barrel chested and the little guy is not a doodle - short little neck.    I will take a look at the Rogz -  thank you!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I too have not had great success with harnesses. I find the canny collar the best solution for both of my boys. Now I only use them when we start out as this is when they are excited and re attach the leashes to the regular collars after about ten minutes. They only take seconds to put on too.

http://www.cannyco.com/

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I'm with you, Nicky. Haven't we discussed the Canny Collar at some point before?? I love them for both the doods, but I have to admit it doesn't stop Oscar from pulling me to other dogs he wants to meet while on our neighborhood walks. It far surpasses the Easy Walk harness, though... lol..

[F, Calla & Luca]

I guess I just found another reason to love my easy open/close prong collars. I have written about mine many times on DK.

[Sally S Miles]

We used a prong on our GSD for a while and it worked nicely,  yes, I have read over and over about collars and harnesses here and your posts ring true. 

I  prefer for something that is not all metal.  If it is needed then I won't hesitate to use one.  I don't think my little guy will need one and Journey rarely pulls with me - one quick "no pulling" or a touch of my finger and she heels or glides nicely.   I just want the harness so as not to have to put it around throats in case one should decide to pull.   Now that spring is here and the selective hearing is activated I want all the control I can get.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

LOL - laughing at the selective hearing comment.  Unfortunately Libby has that activated all year long.  I did get the Freedom No Pull Harness - it's pretty good.  I thought it was too big but someone smarter than me helped me adjust it properly and it's probably worth a try!  And when I thought it didn't fit they were extremely nice and would have worked with me to get the right size if I didn't get it all worked out.