Harness/Sound Dampening Recommendations

[Jess & Stewart]

Stew is actually, surprisingly back to somewhat of a routine in the new apartment. He hasn't tried to open the bathroom or closet doors. Just lays in the bedroom or hallway most of the day & is pretty quiet considering the noises he must hear.

He has been barking at a lot of noises outside the door when I'm home though (people, dogs walking by, creaking stairs). I've been trying either the "thank you" or place commands. He does OK with them but it's hard sometimes to get his attention, even when I'm armed with treats. I basically smell like dehydrated lamb lung/merrick soft treats etc all the time now since I keep a clip on treat bag on my belt loops. 

He's really become wary about the Easy Walk Harness though, even though I incorporate putting the harness on/off into training and mark/treat when my hands are near where the harness connects, even when we aren't working with the harness. He walks well on leash so we don't really need the EW to stop pulling. I just feel much more comfortable walking in the city with a harness on him. Any suggestions on other styles to start using? 

Here are two new pics of Stew. Dog walker found this mural and took the pic on a walk last week. And another of his new haircut from this weekend. Can you all spot why I think it's the greatest picture EVER? LOL!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Stewart is as cute and can be. I think you have a great dog walker to take that photo for you!

[Stella]

My dog sitter takes pics of my boys and emails them to me while I am away :)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Whenever we have had a dog sitter, I beg for pictures. They comply but some are kind enough to do it on their own. I get too lonesome.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Great pictures!  Glad he is settling in! 

[Jess & Stewart]

In the photo of his haircut, he's blowing a bubble out of his nose! My mom first noticed it when I sent it to her & now I always laugh when I see it HAHA!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I loosened the chest strap part of the easy walk a little bit on Loki when he seemed to not be as excited about it, he went through a phase were he would back away from it when I grabbed it instead of getting excited for walks. I just loosened it a little bit on each side of the martingale part of it and haven't had any issues since- maybe that would work? I know the point is for it to tighten to stop pulling but I was not going to be wrestling his large self into it.

[Jess & Stewart]

Yeah, it's a little loose. I think he doesn't like me reaching under him to clip it under his legs. He growls & backs out of it or it gets stuck over his head & it's hard to approach him to take it off fully. I might try a harness that clips in the back.

[Carrie king]

Haha snot bubbles! Have I mentioned I love Stew? He is so handsome, I just love the red coat.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I can't tell which Stew picture I like the best. He is very cute in both

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I can see that  a harness might make you feel more secure when walking him in the city.  Two of my dogs can get out of a regular collar so I never walk them with only the flat collar and leash. If Stew doesn't need the EW harness for pulling try googling harnesses and see if there is one that would be easier to fasten and use. How about a Martingale collar?

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

We have not found a better harness than the Freedom Harness. It is comfortable and has two lead attachments for training. There is no way to slip out of it. As far as the noises, well we have one of our three who does the same, however, we live in a country environment he still barks at any outside noises. We have, what we call, a "sound machine" that blocks external noises. It is nothing but a white noise generator, but it works well, especially at night. There are many on the internet, but if you should decide to look into one, make sure it has a "white noise" (like static on a radio) setting.  That setting works the best.

[Jess & Stewart]

I was looking at a freedom harness-do you need to use both lead attachments? Or can just you switch them up & use either one?

Thanks, I'm looking into a sound machine. May try to get one on sale from Amazon. I have my fans, AC & TV on "Soundscapes" during the day. Today he barked/scratched at the door 4 times between 9-11 before the dog walker came. He was quiet the rest of the day after 12 when my walker brought him back.

I'm pretty sure the times he barks are when the 2 other dogs that just moved in walk past the door. At night I can tell when one of the dogs goes for a walk, around 10 pm I can hear the leash jjngle, then stew barks a few times & I can hear the other dog whine. One of these days I might open the door & try to introduce Stew. I left a note for them to stop by & introduce themselves but they haven't yet :(