What kind of harness do you use on your Shiba? My dad (he walks hiro for me during the afternoon) called me at work today and told me that Hiro chewed through his EzyDog harness. O_o Now I gotta get him a new one. I want one where I can keep on him while I'm at work since my dad doesn't know how to work the harness.
I use a regular over-the-head type harness that I made. Conker outgrew his old one and step-in type. I want to get him one of those RuffWear webmaster harnesses though, I really like the idea of a handle.
We've only used Puppia harnesses. The wife liked the styling and it looks pretty durable. Our dog is not much of a chewer when it comes to his leash/harness/collar so I can't really speak to its durability other than we have no broken any...
@Hamlet - Go buy Lupine harnesses. They have a lifetime guarantee that even covers if they get chewed. They are a little more expensive than the Target ones (about $12-15 depending on what size you need), but if it breaks, gets chewed, etc. just take it back and swap it out.
@shibahiro - I use a Dean & Tyler DT harness for my girls. However, I am getting ready to get Bella a RuffWear webmaster harness, as the DT harness just does not quite fit her right. But it fits Nola perfectly!
Casey, with Bella and Nola, hanging out in the mountains of Virginia. I Wander, I Ride
I use Sportive harness by trixie: http://www.trixie.de/en/prod/Dog_Sportive_Harness,11820 (the one on my avatar/profile picture) It's the only one I've found that he seems to like.. I also got a matching collar and lead. He looks great in black.
@Bootz - The only corrections that my dogs get are verbal corrections, so the harnesses work perfectly. If they are spending too much time on something, a simple 'Leave It' works great to get the moving again. If they are pulling in the wrong direction, all I need to say is "Ah Ah, This Way" and they follow my lead.
Using POSITIVE reinforcement training has worked so great for me and my dogs that using any type of leash correction just seems stupid for me and my dogs. The harshest thing that they ever get from me is having the walk stopped if they happen to pull too much (which RARELY ever happens). When they stop pulling and calm down, the walk resumes.
Also, correcting a dog with a collar (I am assuming you mean collar/leash pops) can be VERY harmful to their neck and trachea. I would look into other means of training.
Casey, with Bella and Nola, hanging out in the mountains of Virginia. I Wander, I Ride
Yeah um, no "correcting" with a leash on Conker, especially with the collar I use with him. It's really not good for a dog to be yanked on and he thinks it's a game and will attack the leash. If he's pulling I'll tell him to knock it off, usually with a quick "ACK!" or similar. If he focuses on something for too long, "Leave It." works for that. If he doesn't respond, I stop and have him sit beside me for a bit then we'll keep going. I had to teach him these things, he didn't automatically know them. I find that positive training works much better and creates a dog who enjoys being out with you, not one that's wary of when you're gonna yank on them again.
To answer the question about the harness and corrections, no, it's no more difficult to correct with a harness than a collar.
I have many different harness for different purposes or occasions.
I use the ComfortFlex Sport Harness (see picture below) the most as it is super easy to put on and I like the small handle on the back. This is perfect for classes or doggie sports. Koji acted like he didn't know how to move when I first put it on, but with training and desensitization and also the fact that every time he has this harness on, he got to do super cool stuff, like getting a lot of treats in Agility or Nosework class.
The Ruff Wear Webmaster Harness (see picture below) is reserved for dog parks or when I want the flexibility to be able to pick up the dogs in a snap. Both ComfortFlex and Ruffwear have a handle, but ComfortFlex's handle is more for temporary handle/control of the dog in between run, rather than literally picking them off the ground.
We also have the Wonder Walker Harness (see picture below) . This is mostly a front attach no pull harness. I don't use it much.
We also have 2 other harness. One is a really cheap one we got mostly for car travel and the other is customized fit harness for Tracking. However, we have not used this harness much since we just don't have time to do Tracking!
I do not like to yank the leash as a correction. Like sunyata and Losech said, I mainly use positive reinforcement methods and don't really need to physically correct my dogs. I understand it is one tool I can use, but I prefer using other methods that are more effectively and that do not harm the relationship/bond I have with my dogs.
@Sunyata, Bootz usually walks behind/beside me. Which is why I use a collar vs a harness (which is mainly for pullers). The problem that I usually try to correct is when she walks off path. I don't exactly do a leash pop since its a jerk/sudden pull that chokes them...I do a light slow tug while verbally calling her, which has been working fine. She would resume walking beside/behind me.
I have tried the same method, with a harness, but she tends to get confused when I try to correct her with a slight tug since her whole body shifts....Hence why i was curious how you guys walk them with a harness XD
Presently I use the Dean & Tyler DT harness but I am thinking to try out the Comfortflex. As others have said I use positive methods (conditioned positive reinforcers- eg:whistle, commands and hand signals) to lead my dogs. Only in an emergency situation will I pull them.
The DT harness has a sturdy handle, multiple D rings to attach the leash to, and is easier to put on than the Ruffwear. The only drawback that it is possible with this type of harness (1 chest strap) to back out of it.
