Well, I didn't get a chance to really express my concerns about tracheal collapse with the trainer. The only reason they don't use them is because the handler usually has to work harder to train the dog. Also, they mostly train larger dogs that don't have many of these issues. They will train any small dog that comes through their door. But, they've found that people with small dogs typically don't invest in obedience school.
After talking with them, they've said they are willing to work with whatever is best for me and my dog. They did warn me that the front-leading harness I had chosen would hurt her arms over time so I should just choose a plain harness that fits her.
Since these people are used to training large dogs all day, they can be intimidating to talk to. I'm also a shy person. So the first time I mentioned harnesses and they said they weren't necessary, I backed down. After your insistence and some extra research, I had the guts to call back and insist on using a harness. I also remembered that one of the Yorkies I grew up with had the characteristic "goose-honk," which was why we always used a harness with him. I was a child when we started doing that with him so I had forgotten why we chose a harness and why he coughed like that.
I will get her a harness today and start using it. |