Hi, folks.

Has anyone here had problems getting their dog into a harness? We've just
bought one for our puppy (eight months), and she's refusing to get into it. It's
the type where the dog steps into it and it fastens at the shoulder blades. She
backs off and barks at it--she seems unsure what it is and how to behave around it.

Any suggestions? Many thanks.

I'd put it on and treat when she's calm, walk her in it too to get her used to it. My dog was a bit nervous when I put his dog coat on, but he's got used to it now.

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I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
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maybe its too tight?
do you put it on when going out all the time? maybe dog doesnt like going out.
maybe try putting harness on 2 or 3 times a day when your not taking the dog out, so dog gets used to it.

There's another type of harness you can get tha you put over th head, then put one leg in and do it up.
I find itmuch easier to put on

Put it on right befire you feed her and take it off after and she will start to associate it as a good thing

x

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i'd personally get rid of it and use a collar and lead more effective

Firstly, can I ask why are you starting to use a harness at 8 months old and not before? Is there a problem with her pulling?

For puppies, harnesses are much better as much less chance of damaging their neck if they pull, and less chance of slipping out when they're so small....

Your puppy sounds like she needs desensitising to the harness, as you haven't used one before so all of this is new to her. Leave it out on the floor, chuck treats when she goes near it so she associates it with good stuff. Pick it up, let her watch you WITH IT, give her treats, then work up to putting it on and treating, then taking it off again.

If she backs off or displays fear you've gone too quickly, so start again, she just needs to build positive associations with the harness.

Puppia do good over the head harnesses and they're very soft too.

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Hi

Firstly, you can't just buy a harness and expect your dog to accept it when you put it on, you need to get your puppy used to it first.

Put yourself on your dogs level, how would you feel about this strange contraption, that you had never seen before coming towards you and being physically put into it? I bet you would show a bit of resistance too, if you didn't know what was going on and no doubt you have been trying to pick up his legs and physically put him in!

You don't say what breed your dog is, but there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to teach your dog to walk nicely, without pulling on a plain collar and lead. However, there are some breeds that are easier to walk on a harness or a headcollar, although personally I don't think you can beat some basic training.

Firstly, you may wish to think about this harness and changing it for one that doesn't give your dog bad associations (it will have these now with the one you have), and is easier to put on, slipping them over the head and cliping on the back are easier. A large halti headcollar is a good harness for a smaller dog, but be advised by your pet shop.

When you get the harness home, make sure it is rubbed in your hands, or you have washed it to soften it up and make it smell nicer. Place it on the ground and throw treats around it, so your puppy can smell it and become used to it. Don't attempt to put it on yet, or wave it around in front of your puppy. Once your puppy is happy to approach it, hold it in your hands and when your puppy comes up, treat your puppy, everything about this harness should be positive, don't loom at your puppy with it!

When you put it on, make sure you know exactly how it goes. Put your dog on a chair, or table, so you are not grabbing and lifting legs up, or looming over then, place the harness over a little way - not fully on just laid gently on him - and treat the dog, do this several times, if your dog pulls back, as it may remember the previous harness, let it, but encourage forward again. For each move forward, or having it over him, your dog gets a treat, then move the guidelines for the dog a little, so now it is over the dog before the treat and then on to clipped with a treat. Don't put a lead on yet though.

When your dog is happy putting in on for a treat, have a little game with it on, give them their dinner, get them used to the feel of it and then take it off, before your dog starts fussing about it.

Once your dog is comfortable wearing it, then take him out, using two leads initially if you have to, one on the collar, the other on the harness, using the collar one the most until he gets used to it. Most dogs don't need this stage and you may be able to progress to using the harness with the lead straight away. Keep moving, keep treating if necessary.

Everything about the harness, or headcollar if you are using one should be positive.

I would also suggest if you haven't done so, you get to a 'good' training club see one recognised by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and work on some basic lead training with them.

Best of luck. The above sounds like a long job, but in reality it should only take a couple of days!

Kate

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Thanks for the replies, everyone.

reilly bites: No, it isn't too tight, and she loves going out!

PoisonGirl: I'll have a look at other harnesses. Thanks.

Seven Pets: I'll try that.

To those who asked why a harness: yes, she pulls on the lead and I thought it would be better for both her and me (and others who walk her) if we bought a harness.

Kate: thank you for taking the trouble to write a detailed reply. I'm well aware that it must be a strange-looking contraption from her point of view--my description of her behaviour was supposed to convey that (apparently I need to be more explicit). For work-related reasons it's difficult to get her to a training class at the moment, so we thought we could use the harness in the interim. We have tried the usual things of good associations and so on.

All this is actually academic at the moment, because someone not using their brain left the thing on her today and she chewed right through it! (She chews everything.) So we have to decide if we want another one of the same type, or a different one, or not to bother.

Thanks again.

Try a halti harness and a loose lead walking programme. A one to one with a good trainer would be well worthwhile.

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Use your brain, not a choke chain.