Harness or Collar? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

archiesmom · 07-15-2008, 06:14 PM

I am a new Yorkie Mom. We are in the process of potty training outside. Archie needs to have a leash on. We heard about the deadly results of a collar (weak trachea). So, switched to a harness. Need to leave the harness on @ all times because he acts like we are killing him when we take it on & off. Is this OK to leave it on continuously? He doesn't seem to mind the harness. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

yorkiegirl83 · 07-15-2008, 06:17 PM

I know many choose to leave their harnesses on all day and as long as it isn't rubbing or irritating the dog I see no problem to leave it on for extended periods as long as they are never unsupervised as they could get tangled up in it and hurt.

Welcome to Yorkie Talk and congrats on your new yorkie baby!

chattiesmom · 07-15-2008, 07:51 PM

Welcome to YorkieTalk. I am so very glad that you joined our family. And a huge congratulations on your new baby.

You didn't mention how old Archie is, but it sounds like he is just being a silly puppy. If you need to leave the harness on him at all times that is a fine thing as long as it doesn't rub his hair or delicate skin. However, Archie needs to learn that it is OK to put it on and take it off. Maybe during some of his quiet moments you can practice the off and on and finish up the training session with the harness on.

If you do practice consistently, it won't take long for him to accept the putting on and taking off of the harness. Good luck!

romeos mommy · 07-15-2008, 07:53 PM

we use a harness for walks and it comes off as soon as we come inside. i'm afraid he will hurt himself.

Liz081381 · 07-15-2008, 08:09 PM

When I am pressed for time sometimes I leave Reese harnes on him. However, be careful because they may chew at it and it will become damaged. At first I bought cute little COACH collars for my baby... but I is used as an assec. just like a tee shirt or an sweater. I learned the collar tend to choke him as I would walk him

Liz

neceedee · 07-15-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archiesmom

I am a new Yorkie Mom. We are in the process of potty training outside. Archie needs to have a leash on. We heard about the deadly results of a collar (weak trachea). So, switched to a harness. Need to leave the harness on @ all times because he acts like we are killing him when we take it on & off. Is this OK to leave it on continuously? He doesn't seem to mind the harness. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Harness for sure, It just seems safer to me.

lovelylf1 · 07-15-2008, 08:30 PM

Scooter has a regular collar that he wears most of the time. When we went to training classes (he graduated from both puppy and intermediate level) or when we go on walks/to the dog park/somewhere where he will more than likely pull on his collar, I switch him to a harness. I have a Puppia harness which is really good for small dogs because it is soft for them.

It works great to use a combination of the two. The harness can be bulky when it comes to comfortable sleeping which is why he only sleeps with a regular collar on.

Good luck!

grandmatoall · 07-15-2008, 08:31 PM

I have never left their harness on. I am afraid they may rub on their skin. I have always had the leather ones.. but, I just bought some harness vests that are made of material and these may not. (By the way. I bought them here on YT.) I guess I am an over-protective mom. But when I take the harnesses out.. they all come running.. it is time for a walk or to go for a ride.

JesStang · 07-16-2008, 06:00 AM

We used to use a collar when we walked Tristan but he is way too excited so he would choke himself walking. We switched to a harness and that is much easier on him. I agree that you need to teach him that he has to be good when you're taking it on or off. I wouldn't leave it on all the time, doesn't seem very comfortable.

Sunnydey · 07-16-2008, 10:32 AM

We use a harness on Max. He did not like putting it on at first, but he has gotten used to it. We don't leave it on because he can chew right through it, and he has done so twice. I would hate for him to chew on it and weaken it, causing it to break when he was outside.

Yorkiedaze · 07-16-2008, 10:36 AM

I take the harnesses off the girls just as soon as we get in the house. I use the step in harness that Chattiesmom, Cindy makes. The latch is in the middle of the shoulder blades, and with only two fingers I get a very quick release. Your guy wouldn't even know you were doing this.

archiesmom · 07-16-2008, 06:01 PM

When I 1st read my replies to my post, I had saw an advertisement for soft (not silk) harnesses in bandana, cross-bones, etc., but now I can't find it again...please help!!! I would like to order a couple. Thanks!

Baileyboysmomma · 07-17-2008, 10:18 AM

When I first got Bailey,

I had to take him out to pee every 30 minutes, then 45, then every hour. Praise God he now rings a bell when he needs to go out and holds it for several hours. We had to keep putting on and taking off his harness b/c he kept chewing through his harness.
The best thing I have found for taking him out to go potty is called "Easy does it Step in Harness & lead." It is all one piece. You lift one paw at a time (front paws only) and put through the openings and then there are two little things you push down to make it fit securely to his body. It has been a life saver. You can get one through "In the Company of Dogs". (Just so you know, there are 2 kinds- one is more expensive b/c it is italian leather or something- I got the cheaper one for about 30 bucks and it is great!
(When we take him for a walk I do use the regular harness and leash though).
I hope this helps.

Shirlthepearl · 07-19-2008, 10:00 AM

I've started putting a harness on my new puppy Suzi, as we can now take her out. I didn't take it off straight away when we came home today though. About an hour later I notice our 14 month old Yorkie Katie was dragging her around with it. We have laminate flooring and she was hold on to the tummy part, it looked like she was dusting with her. The little one wasn't worried at all. It looked funny but I think if I'd left it on her she could have got hurt.

I prefer harnesses, they soon get used to being put in them because they know they're going out.

Good luck with what you decide.

Hugs Shirl x x

Yorkiekids · 07-19-2008, 10:13 AM

I only use the harness when taking Piper and Sebastian. They don't mind me taking it off, and when they see it they're more then happy to have them put on, because they know they're going for a walk. I don't think I would leave it on, because it might get tangled in their hair.

07-15-2008, 06:14 PM	#1
archiesmom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 14	Harness or Collar? I am a new Yorkie Mom. We are in the process of potty training outside. Archie needs to have a leash on. We heard about the deadly results of a collar (weak trachea). So, switched to a harness. Need to leave the harness on @ all times because he acts like we are killing him when we take it on & off. Is this OK to leave it on continuously? He doesn't seem to mind the harness. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

07-15-2008, 07:51 PM	#3
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,674	Welcome to YorkieTalk. I am so very glad that you joined our family. And a huge congratulations on your new baby. You didn't mention how old Archie is, but it sounds like he is just being a silly puppy. If you need to leave the harness on him at all times that is a fine thing as long as it doesn't rub his hair or delicate skin. However, Archie needs to learn that it is OK to put it on and take it off. Maybe during some of his quiet moments you can practice the off and on and finish up the training session with the harness on. If you do practice consistently, it won't take long for him to accept the putting on and taking off of the harness. Good luck! __________________ Silk Step-In Harnesses www.foxypups.etsy.com

07-15-2008, 07:53 PM	#4
romeos mommy YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pennsauken , NJ Posts: 4,068	we use a harness for walks and it comes off as soon as we come inside. i'm afraid he will hurt himself. __________________ Bernadette & Romeo

07-15-2008, 08:09 PM	#5
Liz081381 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: newport news, va Posts: 6	leash or collar When I am pressed for time sometimes I leave Reese harnes on him. However, be careful because they may chew at it and it will become damaged. At first I bought cute little COACH collars for my baby... but I is used as an assec. just like a tee shirt or an sweater. I learned the collar tend to choke him as I would walk him Liz

07-15-2008, 08:30 PM	#7
lovelylf1 I ♥ Scooter Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 533	Scooter has a regular collar that he wears most of the time. When we went to training classes (he graduated from both puppy and intermediate level) or when we go on walks/to the dog park/somewhere where he will more than likely pull on his collar, I switch him to a harness. I have a Puppia harness which is really good for small dogs because it is soft for them. It works great to use a combination of the two. The harness can be bulky when it comes to comfortable sleeping which is why he only sleeps with a regular collar on. Good luck! __________________ Lauren and Scooter Texas YTers Club

07-15-2008, 06:17 PM	#2
yorkiegirl83 Love My Furbabies! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: somewhere Posts: 4,427	I know many choose to leave their harnesses on all day and as long as it isn't rubbing or irritating the dog I see no problem to leave it on for extended periods as long as they are never unsupervised as they could get tangled up in it and hurt. Welcome to Yorkie Talk and congrats on your new yorkie baby!

07-15-2008, 08:31 PM	#8
grandmatoall I Love My Babies Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 1,440 Blog Entries: 1	I have never left their harness on. I am afraid they may rub on their skin. I have always had the leather ones.. but, I just bought some harness vests that are made of material and these may not. (By the way. I bought them here on YT.) I guess I am an over-protective mom. But when I take the harnesses out.. they all come running.. it is time for a walk or to go for a ride. __________________ "Bobbi, Proud Mom To: Sandy & Leo Yorkies & Grandkids - Make My Heart Smile

07-16-2008, 06:00 AM	#9
JesStang YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mustang, Oklahoma Posts: 301	We used to use a collar when we walked Tristan but he is way too excited so he would choke himself walking. We switched to a harness and that is much easier on him. I agree that you need to teach him that he has to be good when you're taking it on or off. I wouldn't leave it on all the time, doesn't seem very comfortable.

07-16-2008, 10:32 AM	#10
Sunnydey YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 8	We use a harness on Max. He did not like putting it on at first, but he has gotten used to it. We don't leave it on because he can chew right through it, and he has done so twice. I would hate for him to chew on it and weaken it, causing it to break when he was outside.

07-16-2008, 10:36 AM	#11
Yorkiedaze My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca. Posts: 12,228	I take the harnesses off the girls just as soon as we get in the house. I use the step in harness that Chattiesmom, Cindy makes. The latch is in the middle of the shoulder blades, and with only two fingers I get a very quick release. Your guy wouldn't even know you were doing this.

07-16-2008, 06:01 PM	#12
archiesmom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 14	Soft Harnesses for sale??? When I 1st read my replies to my post, I had saw an advertisement for soft (not silk) harnesses in bandana, cross-bones, etc., but now I can't find it again...please help!!! I would like to order a couple. Thanks!

07-17-2008, 10:18 AM	#13
Baileyboysmomma YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pa Posts: 5	the best ever! When I first got Bailey, I had to take him out to pee every 30 minutes, then 45, then every hour. Praise God he now rings a bell when he needs to go out and holds it for several hours. We had to keep putting on and taking off his harness b/c he kept chewing through his harness. The best thing I have found for taking him out to go potty is called "Easy does it Step in Harness & lead." It is all one piece. You lift one paw at a time (front paws only) and put through the openings and then there are two little things you push down to make it fit securely to his body. It has been a life saver. You can get one through "In the Company of Dogs". (Just so you know, there are 2 kinds- one is more expensive b/c it is italian leather or something- I got the cheaper one for about 30 bucks and it is great! (When we take him for a walk I do use the regular harness and leash though). I hope this helps.

07-19-2008, 10:00 AM	#14
Shirlthepearl YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: England Posts: 256	I've started putting a harness on my new puppy Suzi, as we can now take her out. I didn't take it off straight away when we came home today though. About an hour later I notice our 14 month old Yorkie Katie was dragging her around with it. We have laminate flooring and she was hold on to the tummy part, it looked like she was dusting with her. The little one wasn't worried at all. It looked funny but I think if I'd left it on her she could have got hurt. I prefer harnesses, they soon get used to being put in them because they know they're going out. Good luck with what you decide. Hugs Shirl x x

07-19-2008, 10:13 AM	#15
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I only use the harness when taking Piper and Sebastian. They don't mind me taking it off, and when they see it they're more then happy to have them put on, because they know they're going for a walk. I don't think I would leave it on, because it might get tangled in their hair. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki