DK'ers with Easy Walk Harnesses

[LarryL]

Hey Guys,

I was just wondering if you guys were experiencing the same thing we are with this particular harness.

We have been getting big mats on the top of his legs/chest where the front part of the harness goes.

I have been brushing them out - but 2 days later they're HUGE.

I just ordered a freedom no pull, to see if this will be different.

Anyone experience the same thing?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I used the Easy Walk harness for 6 years with no problems. But he only wore it for walks. 

Are you keeping it on Oliver for longer periods of time? 

[LarryL]

No, he only uses it for walks and thats it.

So the front part of the harness never gave you guys any matting?

I'm guessing its a fitting problem.

The front part hangs just below the chest bone where it should be.

So the straps in the front cause him mat.

But the one size up is too big for him.

I have the freedom no pull coming today and hope that will be a better fit.

We really like the easy walk - just sucks that its matting his hair.

[Jordan & Daisy]

We use this same harness and no mats BUT I do notice an indentation in her fur from the harness, it's almost always there now even though she only wears it for walks, too. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Been using this harness on two dogs for over 5 yrs and never a problem with mats. Hard to say, maybe needs to fit differently? If too loose or too tight may cause mats? Hope the new one helps.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

No problems for us from the harness - we also only use it for walks.  BTW- Chewy.com is having a big sale  on them.  I did not order as I have one and a spare, but saw the ad. 

You should also know that the company will send a replacement harness for just shipping costs if your pup manages to chew it -  as Quincy did one day while we were walking him!  Obviously we did not notice that he slipped the chest part into his mouth and chewed happily right through it.  I bought a new one before I found out about the replacement deal.  LOL, thank goodness those chew crazy days are over! 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

We use it for long walks ...never have had issues with mats.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I did notice they have different sizes to choose from in ordering . I started out with a small, which she outgrew...I ordered a medium, which was huge on her! I thought I was going crazy! Looking further into the ordering, they also come in small to medium. Completely different than the small or medium I already had I re-ordered and fits her perfectly!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I use one on Ragley with no issues. I think it is maybe a fitting problem? 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

We also only use the harness while on a walk. No matting.
However if I leave his collar on, he is starting to matt under the collar.
I have to pay close attention to that area.

[Willow and J]

We see a bit of mat under arms with Easy Walk Harness. Maybe different coat type matters? Willow's coat gets easily matted in general. Also age of the puppy would affect. Willow had serious mats 8-10 months of age. We keep her coat short (half an inch to 2 inches, no longer) because of matting.  

[Jaime + Oliver]

I just posted a similar question in the grooming section looking for some help before I saw this!  We have the same issue on his front & under his arms.  Even with a shorter cut it's a consistent issue.  The flat nylon collars really seem to give his hair type problems.

Has anyone heard of rolled leather harnesses?  Switching out the collar seems to have helped, but the issues from harnesses during walks is a problem!

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

We have 2 doodles and 2 easy walk harnesses. Bruno, our doodle with the courser, curly hair, has never matted as a result of the harness. Rosie, on the other hand, has soft curly hair and she mats with the easy walk. I made sure the fit was as it should be and that cut down on the mats for the most part and I just make sure to brush her out in those spots after every walk and they get nipped in the bud.

We only use the harness for walks and I do not keep collars on them when we are home so that they can do their play wrestling and chasing without the fear of one of them getting something caught in the collar.