chewed 3 harnesses off in the last 3 days

[peggato]

Has anyone had this problem????? He can chew through a harness in a matter of minutes. I'm not talking the cheap thin harnesses, these are thick!!! I am at my wits end!! I have no harness left to put on him tomorrow as he just chewed through the last one. I have tried taking it off and putting it back on just to go outside, but he's only 6 months old, which you can imagine how many times we are outside. I am most afraid he will choke himself to death pulling on the harness as he pulls it into his mouth. Please if anyone has any suggestions I would be thrilled!!

[scrapindee]

I do not leave harnesses on any dog. I always think--worse case scenarios.

I might suggest some new chew toys. 6 month old puppys need variety and maybe he is finding it in the harnesses.

[Erin]

OK I totally understand the outside every 20 minutes thing but if you leave him unattended with it he is going to chew it. You need something else for him to chew on - a toy or a bully stick. Watch him and every time he starts to chew say "No" and give him the toy to chew, then praise him. He is old enough to learn the command "leave it". He might be chewing it because he wants it off, not because he needs to chew, but at 6 months it could be both. What about getting a harness that is super easy to put on and off? You could also use a harness that is more like clothing (a harness vest) and it might be more comfortable for him?

[lulababy]

Give bully sticks a try. When pebbles starting chewing (around 6 months) I got bully sticks for her and I havent had any problems with inappropriate chewing since then. she is now 7 1/2 months.

Also, I agree. Do not leave the harness on him and try to find one more comfortable for him to wear

[vviccles1]

Skip the harness and go with a collar unless he has trachea problemms.My yorkies did well with puppia and velcro harnesses, my cihuahua puppy prefers walking with a collar. Good luck!

[Erin]

Originally Posted by vviccles1

Skip the harness and go with a collar unless he has trachea problemms.My yorkies did well with puppia and velcro harnesses, my cihuahua puppy prefers walking with a collar. Good luck!

You're going to get beat up for suggesting this, but I agree. Mine usually just go out on their collars for potty breaks. When we walk we always use harnesses, but when we walk 5 feet to the grass just to pee for 30 seconds and come back in, a leash+collar works. Mine haven't shown any trachea problems and Loki is a big boy @ 12lbs. Sammy usually wears a harness vest or something, but Loki goes out with just his collar. He goes out so often (every 45 mins sometimes) that it works better that way. He is also trained and capable of walking loose leash on his collar, so some training might be in order before doing this. Sam's legs aren't long enough for her to pull.

[peggato]

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions. I went this AM to and bought two new harnesses. One that I can slip on easily and clip around his belly. I am going to take the suggestion of using the collar to go out for quick pee breaks as well.
As far as chew toys, he has every imaginable chew toy, multiple bones and bully sticks. In fact he is spoiled rotten. I rotate the toys so he doesn't get bored and he loves to chew his bones on my lap or at my feet. The chewing on the harness is something he has been doing since I got him back in April. I tried the "leave it" and that works with toys but not with the harness or collar. Probably because it's stuck in between his teeth as he's chewing away.
I do thank all of you for the suggestions and I hope as he gets to be a big boy he will grow out of this habit.

[nicksgf]

Until you manage to stop the chewing, see if you can find Lupine harnesses/leashes anywhere near you.
My mom uses these, and they are guarenteed for life - no matter how it broke! She bought 2, and every time one get chewed up (or run over by the lawnmower ) she just brings it back to the store and brings home a new one! So handy, and 2 will last you for life! (Plus if your furbaby outgrows one, just make it break and replace it with a bigger one!)

[Deenie]

I accidentally left a harness on Guinness overnight, it fit him SO well, and was the FIRST one I found that did and of course it was the last one there. It was in shreds the next day.

I leave a collar on him all the time with his tags, etc. He's got a chip but I wanted tags, too because I'm old school. but I want a good harness for him on walks. I have a step in one but I don't like it too much.

[Erin]

Well if he has other things to chew on then yes, he will probably outgrow it. Loki used to chew his leash when he was bored, like if we were on a walk and I stopped to talk to someone he would sit there and chew it. We went through 4 leashes before he was a year old and then he just stopped chewing them.

I have Lupine harnesses on my website if you can't find them locally. It's true they are guaranteed even if chewed. You just call Lupine and they have you mail it to them and they mail you a new one! Postage is cheaper than a new harness!

[yorkieusa]

I used to have a little chihuahua (very little) and my mom took her to a neighbor's house one day. They were sitting out in the yard and my mom looked down and she had chewed all of the way through the leash!