bad mommy ): - YorkieTalk.com Forums

rwprivette · 06-09-2009, 10:20 PM

I didn't know harnesses were better

I hope I haven't damaged his little throat!! Any suggestions on what type to get him?

Miao · 06-10-2009, 02:31 AM

Most types of step-in harnesses should do well. I have a super tugger/puller and her trachea is supposedly fine so far according to the vet's x-ray and physical testing but I still don't believe it. What I do notice is that most harnesses don't work well for her. When she tugs it hits her lower trachea causing her to cough some. This happens with the typical nylon strap step-ins but it's mostly fine when I just use this over winter fleece clothing and also when I don't allow her to pull so much during her walks. The Premier No-Pull Easy-Walk Harness caused her coughing within seconds of starting her walk since that's when she's most excited to explore new sights. However, the Premier harness seems to have worked wonders for some members on here, so it could have been a matter of fit or my girl's build.

When my girl was still a puppy, I had started her off on this suede sport harness. I think it worked out alright but she might have been lighter then and also less pully, maybe. But it also felt a little hot and bulky to use in the midst of summer.

I've used it for a while until I found the perfect one for the most part. The ONLY one that almost never causes coughing on her as she's become even more pully lately than ever before is this no-choke soft leather step-in harness. The only times she's coughed was recently when we were heading down on a steeper decline and she pulled forward/ahead, that's when it caused a bit of discomfort. I've been using it for months now. It has gone through a lot as we depend on it so much. It's obviously a bit stretched and worn-in and is extra soft now. The only thing is, it gathers up her hair where it wraps around (as I'm growing it out) and this tickles her into thinking she's itchy but she only bothers to scratch it when we're not moving. At those times, I try to position my hold on the leash angle so that it lets her hair fall back down/straighten so they're not "bunched up" tickling her. The leather Buddy Belt harness bothers her just as much in the "tickle factor", so I think there's no helping it.

This latter one is also a harness quite a few swear by.

For myself, I feel the leather is a little tougher/thicker comparatively to my best performer so far and lightest amongst the leather harnesses I've tried. It did cause a little discomfort for her when she pulled enough, but it's the next best thing to my other and I wanted to keep an alternative handy. I'm also thinking it might need some breaking in as it's leather, it should soften/stretch a little.

So far, these last two listed are my choice picks.

Chattiesmom of YorkieTalk custom makes silk/satin step-in harnesses that a ton of YT'ers vouch for the no-choke factor and the material is great for minimizing hair static and breakage. I have yet to try that out as I'm waiting on a trade I made with someone for one. I am hoping it fits my girl properly and ends up being the end all solution to our problems.

Good luck finding the perfect harness for your pup! I'm just very difficult to please because I don't want my girl to cough or be tickled by the harness.

So in spite of having the one that performs best, I'm on a quest to find one that does that AND not bunch up some of her hair causing them to tickle her senses.

Ellie May · 06-10-2009, 02:34 AM

Don't feel bad.
A lot of us have done that.
Ellie wore a collar for about the first five years of her life...

Most people here seem to prefer the step-in type.
I don't really like them for small dogs at all. I like the roman style found at most pet stores.

TatumsMom · 06-10-2009, 04:18 AM

Tatum has a step-in harness that we love.

Don't feel too bad. When we had our toy poodle, I didn't know all that I know now about collapsed trachea and stuff. We used a collar and leash on him and he did have some trachea issues. You learn something new every day!

Yorkiekids · 06-10-2009, 04:36 AM

Yeah don't feel bad. Until I came on here I never thought a collar could cause so many problems.

Hollee · 06-10-2009, 08:50 AM

Thanks Miao I love the soft leather one that you use! I have been lookng for one also....

Lou · 06-10-2009, 01:06 PM

I personally prefer the Puppia soft harness.
TheNewYorkDogShop.com
Adie can slide out of so many harnesses, coats and dresses. This kind fits really well and doesn't get to tight anywhere. It is pretty cool temperature wise too since it is mesh.

06-09-2009, 10:20 PM	#1
rwprivette ♥LiVe♥LauGH♥LoVe♥ Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tyler's Heart, North♥Carolina Posts: 724	bad mommy ): I didn't know harnesses were better I hope I haven't damaged his little throat!! Any suggestions on what type to get him?

06-10-2009, 02:31 AM	#2
Miao No Longer a Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Savage Garden Posts: 1,147	Most types of step-in harnesses should do well. I have a super tugger/puller and her trachea is supposedly fine so far according to the vet's x-ray and physical testing but I still don't believe it. What I do notice is that most harnesses don't work well for her. When she tugs it hits her lower trachea causing her to cough some. This happens with the typical nylon strap step-ins but it's mostly fine when I just use this over winter fleece clothing and also when I don't allow her to pull so much during her walks. The Premier No-Pull Easy-Walk Harness caused her coughing within seconds of starting her walk since that's when she's most excited to explore new sights. However, the Premier harness seems to have worked wonders for some members on here, so it could have been a matter of fit or my girl's build. When my girl was still a puppy, I had started her off on this suede sport harness. I think it worked out alright but she might have been lighter then and also less pully, maybe. But it also felt a little hot and bulky to use in the midst of summer. I've used it for a while until I found the perfect one for the most part. The ONLY one that almost never causes coughing on her as she's become even more pully lately than ever before is this no-choke soft leather step-in harness. The only times she's coughed was recently when we were heading down on a steeper decline and she pulled forward/ahead, that's when it caused a bit of discomfort. I've been using it for months now. It has gone through a lot as we depend on it so much. It's obviously a bit stretched and worn-in and is extra soft now. The only thing is, it gathers up her hair where it wraps around (as I'm growing it out) and this tickles her into thinking she's itchy but she only bothers to scratch it when we're not moving. At those times, I try to position my hold on the leash angle so that it lets her hair fall back down/straighten so they're not "bunched up" tickling her. The leather Buddy Belt harness bothers her just as much in the "tickle factor", so I think there's no helping it. This latter one is also a harness quite a few swear by. For myself, I feel the leather is a little tougher/thicker comparatively to my best performer so far and lightest amongst the leather harnesses I've tried. It did cause a little discomfort for her when she pulled enough, but it's the next best thing to my other and I wanted to keep an alternative handy. I'm also thinking it might need some breaking in as it's leather, it should soften/stretch a little. So far, these last two listed are my choice picks. Chattiesmom of YorkieTalk custom makes silk/satin step-in harnesses that a ton of YT'ers vouch for the no-choke factor and the material is great for minimizing hair static and breakage. I have yet to try that out as I'm waiting on a trade I made with someone for one. I am hoping it fits my girl properly and ends up being the end all solution to our problems. Good luck finding the perfect harness for your pup! I'm just very difficult to please because I don't want my girl to cough or be tickled by the harness. So in spite of having the one that performs best, I'm on a quest to find one that does that AND not bunch up some of her hair causing them to tickle her senses. Last edited by Miao; 06-10-2009 at 02:34 AM.

06-10-2009, 02:34 AM	#3
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Don't feel bad. A lot of us have done that. Ellie wore a collar for about the first five years of her life... Most people here seem to prefer the step-in type. I don't really like them for small dogs at all. I like the roman style found at most pet stores. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

06-10-2009, 04:18 AM	#4
TatumsMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX Posts: 2,799	Tatum has a step-in harness that we love. Don't feel too bad. When we had our toy poodle, I didn't know all that I know now about collapsed trachea and stuff. We used a collar and leash on him and he did have some trachea issues. You learn something new every day! __________________ ~ Angie

06-10-2009, 04:36 AM	#5
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	Yeah don't feel bad. Until I came on here I never thought a collar could cause so many problems. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

06-10-2009, 08:50 AM	#6
Hollee ♥ Ella Belle ♥ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NM, United States Posts: 851	Thanks Miao I love the soft leather one that you use! I have been lookng for one also.... __________________ Just me and Ella B

06-10-2009, 01:06 PM	#7
Lou Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: A little town south of Chicago Posts: 4,525	I personally prefer the Puppia soft harness. TheNewYorkDogShop.com Adie can slide out of so many harnesses, coats and dresses. This kind fits really well and doesn't get to tight anywhere. It is pretty cool temperature wise too since it is mesh. __________________ http://www.its-a-yorkie-thing.com Gracie Skeeter Adie Tyler