Over the last 2 or 3 weeks Ollie has really gone off having his harness fitted for his walks, before he was always eager to get it on and get going, we've adjusted it as he's grown and always ensured it's a comfortable fit, any thoughts as to why he's suddenly changed his mind? is it worth trying another design?

I've looked at this as it's fleece padded.

Fleece Padded Harness Dog Harnesses for Sale

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How is he telling you he has gone off it?

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Jack - Black Labrador
Nalsy & Ponch - Purebred bedwarming moggies

Because it's now become vitually a fight to get it on him, he shy's away from it and won't let you put it on him without a struggle

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How old is Ollie?

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Jack - Black Labrador
Nalsy & Ponch - Purebred bedwarming moggies

He was 1 yesterday

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As they mature they do go thru a "fear stage" of development between 6 - 14 months where they are apprehensive about new things or things that where previously fine.

Or, of course, the harness could have rubbed / pinched before you adjusted it - and now he's taken a disliking.

You could try a new harness - and simply handle his objections by putting it on him quickly, calmly and with minimal fuss. I would avoid speaking to him while putting it on, as to not reinforce his behavior (remember to reward him if he calm while you suit him up).

Alternatively you could take the opportunity to try walking him on simply a collar?

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Jack - Black Labrador
Nalsy & Ponch - Purebred bedwarming moggies

Thank you, yes we had considered the collar option and think instead of shelling out on a new harness only to go through it all again, we may try the collar as we have a spare onle lying around somewhere.

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Leave the harness on the sofa, front room floor and pick it up now and then but don't put it on, make it just a normal part of the furniture. Also give him treats (bribes) when you put it on saying good boy. Flynn harness is a halti non pull (doesn't work, lol) but it slips over his head and clips underneath. I used to have one that they step in and it was a right performance to get it on! I walk Flynn on a collar but use the harness for the car.

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

Run your fingers all over the harness to see if there are any sharp bits that would hurt Ollie. Other wise try going back to basics and use treats to build up his tolerance of it again.

Thanks, have done this and i cant find much wrong with it, as stupid as it sounds, we've added a new ID tag, could this be bothering him? although its not as big as his old one, just a change from plastic to metal.

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