Eggasperated Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I've been walking my Labrador on a harness as he pulls and i've got some back problems,however he's put on weight and the large size harness I've got now won't adjust any further. I can't remember what brand it is and it doesn't appear to have any name on it - can anyone recommend a good harness that is likely to come in fat Labrador size? I have read some reviews on the net and it appears that some harnesses come up on the small side so I would really appreciate a recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Have you tried a Halti headcollar? I use it with my wiemaraner as I found that she was too strong with a harness. The principle is the same as a horse's headcollar, you have control & it doesn't hurt. Here she is in hers: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlotta Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I'm not sure about body harnesses but can recommend a Dogmatic headcollar. I used one when my Newfie girl went through a lunging phase at adolescence (at 11 stone I couldn't physically stop her!) I found most headcollars rode up into her eyes, but them Newfs do have a very round fluffy face! http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Got to say halti's are the best.My labrador kept pulling and was hurting my back. As soon as i got a halti he stopped and even the chicldren could and do walk him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I wish mine did! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 The Halti Harness (they do a good body harness as well as the Halti Headcollar) is a good harness and the large should fit your dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Thanks everyone, you've reminded me I have got a Halti head collar somewhere, I tried it ages ago but he refused to walk on it - I might try it again. Also didn't realise Halti made body harness's will look at that as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Not too sure re body-harness. The whole idea is to lead the head like a horse. Putting on a body harness gives the dog his whole body to pull against you. Also if he doesn't want to walk with it on, keep it on for small periods in the house, keep trying and i promise it will work. I have a 7yr old who can walk two labs when they are wearing their halti's . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Halti's body harness is called a Lupi (well, I think it's them!); it relies on stopping the dog from pulling by applying pressure on the breast bone. I didn't like using it & my dog became immune to the pressure.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Halti's body harness is called a Lupi (well, I think it's them!); it relies on stopping the dog from pulling by applying pressure on the breast bone. I didn't like using it & my dog became immune to the pressure.... The Lupi is made by the same company but is a much thinner fiigure of 8 harness. The Halti harness is a more robust padded harness and ideally is used with a double ended lead to allow control from the collar and shoulders. I would give your Halti another go before you go buying something new. Ancol also do a range of standard harnesses which may be the brand that you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 I had a very interesting afternoon trying the head collar out again (which turned out to be a gentle leader). First of all the dog rubbed his nose so hard on the ground trying to remove the collar he made his nose bleed, then he sat in a miserable heap glued to the ground, and when I finally got him moving he did a strange somersault roll thing that ended up with his feet in my shoes and me in a heap on the grass . I gave up at that point, might have to rethink the head collar thing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 4 years on, Akeira doesn't like the Halti being put on, but when it is in place she's fine with it, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 She is having a tantrum.If you stick with it,maybe go on some short walks she will get used to it you will feel the difference when walking her.Give her time and patience she will get used to it. I am only this sure as I brought all the harness possible and training only to spend £10 on a halty and it changed our whole walking experience.As I say even my children enjoy walking the dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 I agree; put it on your dog & let them wear it around the house without a lead attached; then get them used to it when out. You will crack it, just be patient! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 (edited) Some dogs will lean into harnesses which will cause them to pull more and cause muscle strain. A sharp Change direction when the dogs start to walk to far forward will teach the dog to watch you more and not focus on what he/she wants to do. I personally teach my dogs to walk to heel from an early age the i use a rope slip lead, The dog walks to heel, the rope is nice and loose so no strain on me or the dog. Edited June 6, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arwesa Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 a canny collar is a more productive head collar than a halti as it moves the nose down rather than pull the neck to the side, however as has been pointed out by lbb, heelwork can usually be resolved in 5 mins and then fixed within a week with a simple, cheap slip lead. you just have to learn to stop the dog thinking it knows where youre going... oh and harnesses.....if you want a husky to pull a sled what does it wear? ...if you want a horse to pull a cart what does it wear?.... if you want your dog to pull you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted June 6, 2011 Author Share Posted June 6, 2011 Dog is still totally uncooperative using the head collar, he is mostly glued to the floor and unmovable. He has had loads of training in heel work but is still, at 5 years old, distracted by anything he thinks is exciting and that's when it causes problems with my back. I was doing reasonably well with his body harness the main problem is he is now too big for it. I'm giving the head collar a few more goes and if that doesn't work will look at buying one of the body harnesses suggested on here. I would love to have him well enough trained to walk him on his ordinary collar but feel that his enthusiasm to talk to other people still risks causing further damage to my back - he weighs over 42kg and although he is currently on a diet the vet feels that we will not be able to reduce his weight by a lot as he is a tall, heavy boned Labrador and a lot of his weight is muscle rather than fat as he still has a defined shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 Slightly off topic but what do you feed him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted June 6, 2011 Author Share Posted June 6, 2011 Slightly off topic but what do you feed him? Eukanuaba Labrador breed - the vet suggested we cut this down slightly rather than switch to diet food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Neither 'change direction' or 'stop completely' worked with Jazz - if we changed direction she was quite happy to go in another and if we stopped sharp she never once looked back to see why or loosened the lead at all.........and I spent hours trying! We then tried head collars at the local pet store where they were really helpful but Jazz would have them all off in seconds. The only collar that has worked with her is the Gencon - it is brilliant. I bought the very soft type and it closes gently around the face if they pull and doesn't pull their head around. I have the clip end and it clips back either onto her collar or a body harness and on the couple of occasions that she has rubbed it off her muzzle then the lead is still attached to something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Some dogs will lean into harnesses which will cause them to pull more and cause muscle strain. A sharp Change direction when the dogs start to walk to far forward will teach the dog to watch you more and not focus on what he/she wants to do. I personally teach my dogs to walk to heel from an early age the i use a rope slip lead, The dog walks to heel, the rope is nice and loose so no strain on me or the dog. I agree with Karen - harnesses only encourage them to lean into it and pull even more. Both of mine walk on slip leads and they are great for control, Ruby is inclined to be headstrong at times and when she was a pup I used a Gencon on her a couple of times,mainly when i was walking her in town to keen her head up and stop her scabbing food off the pavement I don't use it any more though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 (edited) Slightly off topic but what do you feed him? Eukanuaba Labrador breed - the vet suggested we cut this down slightly rather than switch to diet food. Interesting thay your vet says he won't loose anymore weight. My oldest lab is very tall and good boned, I keep him at the 32kg mark and he is spot on. You should be able to glide your hand over his side and feel the ribs. If you can't then he is over weight. I'm wondering if he has an intolerance to something in the food which could be causing the over energeticness (they can be like kids and E numbers). Edited June 8, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Yes, I've recently suggested to a friend that they take their seriously ASBO puppy off Bakers as it's known to be full of additives... he's much calmer now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 We've always used Eukanuba for our dogs, he was on the basic Eukanuba but we changed to breed as we thought it would be a better balance for him and help with his weight, now I'm beginning to wonder if that was the right thing to do. He has also recently developed arthritis in his right elbow so it is important he doesn't get any fatter - the vet advised we try a green lipped mussel supplement to help with that. Re the head collar, he absolutely loathes it but will now tolerate it for road walking as he knows I will take it off when we reach the fields. He has always been a slightly manic dog but is also very loving and enjoys a cuddle, he loves people more than other dogs and has a really good relationship with our two cats, although he is a little bit scared of them. He plays a chasing game with the younger one where she chases him round and round the flower bed then they reverse and he chases her - it's really funny to watch as the cat actively tries to get him to chase her by approaching him then running away repeatedly until he will play. Sorry wandered off topic altogether but any advise on controlling manic chocolate labradors gladly accepted . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 It can be a part of a hypo labs problem, I have been there with Dylan. A suggestion would be to try Nature diet for a month with some glucosamine and chondroitin capsules in (human sort are fine) and see if that makes a difference to behavior and joints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
