Harness and Leash Killer

[LoALAnna]

I'm at my witt's end! I swear if I have to buy another harness to replace the one that Connor has chewed in half , I'll go bankrupt!!! I just got him a brand new step-in at the store this afternoon, along with a matching leash. Nothing fancy or expensive, put them on him to walk him out of the store out to the truck to come home . It is aproximately 5 minutes from the store to the main hwy, when I turned around to check on the furbutts (DH was driving) , Connor was happily chewing his new harness. I had to take it off him to make him stop, and by that time it was hanging by a thread Luckily I possess a little sewing skill, fueled by fury and was able to fix it and the leash, too!
I think my baby is OCD-or fixated with webbing. What can I do to curb this habit? By the way- he always bites his leash if he gets anxious while we're walking

P.S. I bought the new harness because he had chewed up the one he had on. So much for the dog park today!

[Sandysbabies]

LOL!!!! They are so funny. I know it had to be aggrivating after just buying it but it reminds me of how Tina use to be when I would leave the house. She would grab my purse when I was by the door and bite and just shake the heck out of it. For awhile all my purses had teeth marks on them. Now she is too old to care if I go anywhere, bless her little heart. Your baby sounds like a fiesty little thing. They are always doing something but we couldn't do without them. Glad you were able to fix the harness and leash. I know they have to wear them but I am always afraid of the velcro coming undone and it slipping off. I am a worry wart I guess but I wish they could wear collars. I just feel safer with one. Take care of that little Munchkin and don't let him eat too many harnesses. lol!

[kjcmsw]

Originally Posted by LoALAnna

I'm at my witt's end! I swear if I have to buy another harness to replace the one that Connor has chewed in half , I'll go bankrupt!!! I just got him a brand new step-in at the store this afternoon, along with a matching leash. Nothing fancy or expensive, put them on him to walk him out of the store out to the truck to come home . It is aproximately 5 minutes from the store to the main hwy, when I turned around to check on the furbutts (DH was driving) , Connor was happily chewing his new harness. I had to take it off him to make him stop, and by that time it was hanging by a thread Luckily I possess a little sewing skill, fueled by fury and was able to fix it and the leash, too!
I think my baby is OCD-or fixated with webbing. What can I do to curb this habit? By the way- he always bites his leash if he gets anxious while we're walking

P.S. I bought the new harness because he had chewed up the one he had on. So much for the dog park today!

If he's OCD about webbing, then don't use webbing.
Spray "Bitter Apple" on the parts of the harnesses & leashes his mouth can reach

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by kjcmsw

If he's OCD about webbing, then don't use webbing.
Spray "Bitter Apple" on the parts of the harnesses & leashes his mouth can reach

Alice has an obsession with chewing on her harness while it's on too. Luckily she hasn't completely destroyed it, but I take it off as soon as she come inside. Is he teathered to a car seat with it that it has to stay on when you're not walking? Bitter apple works alot of the time, but I've heard some dogs like it. I use a spray called YUCK! that I got at the vet's office. The active ingredient is rosemary extract. I tasted it, it's awefull! Alice likes to chew in the corner of our wood landing at the bottom of the stairs. I spray it there, she puts her mouth on it for 1 second then backs up licking her nose like crazy and doesn't go back

[LoALAnna]

Thanks for the replies, guys! Connor is the kind of dog that will grab the leash while being walked and chew it! If he is in the back seat, he will just chew the h#ll out of his harness, webbing or not. There doesn't seem to be a spray substance in existence that tastes bad enough (though stick antiperspirant seems to work some) for my taste bud challenged boy. I wish there was a indestructable harness out there. It would be worth its weight in Gold!

[AllDogBoots]

What about a Buddy Belt harness? I don't see how Connor will be able to chew it as it's pretty tough to reach. It is expensive but I really do think it could work for you! Welcome to BUDDY BELT (A Division of Class Art Productions Inc.)

[SWHouston]

It's so funny, dogs are SO different...

My Male Sneakers will literally put his Harness on himself.
If he could reach around, he'd snap it closed on his own.

However, My Female Becca looks like she's having to take the
worst tasting Pill ever... ears back and cowering when we put
it on her. After that, she's just fine, and both are jumping and
twirling to go on a Jog/walk/ride.

[Buster Brown]

What a character. I use yuck to stop Buster from chewing on a corner of the carpet and it worked. I tasted it and YUCK. I do not know how healthy it might be with the antiperspirant because there might be something harmful for him. I would suggest a leather harness but Connor might think it was rawhide. I know Buster hated the harness that I had to pull over his head and he was better once I switched to step in. Best of luck with your chewer, good thing you have sewing skills.

[kjc]

I would try using an e-collar... or something that physically blocks him from reaching it. It may frustrate him a bit, but I would use it till he gets out of the habit.