Wow!!! You are great! Not only are you teaching other pet owners you are teaching us here on YT!! Thank you.

It's so frustrating to see things like this, especially when it's just a lack of knowledge. I was at the vet with Ruthie a couple weeks ago and saw another lady in there with her yorkie. We started talking about what was 'wrong' with our respective pets and hers was there for suspected collapsing trachea — this lady was never told, not even by the breeder, that she should have the dog in a harness and not a collar. We chatted for a bit — I wanted to tell her about YT, but got whisked into the exam room before I could.

I really thought this was something most breeders went over with their new puppy parents — Oscar's breeder wouldn't let me LEAVE with him until I purchased a harness from her (which was equally annoying because they were expensive harnesses).

I use a harness for Tink, I hate the thought of her having a collar.
Our Pom always had a harness too, and she lived until the ripe of age of 15 1/2

Mine still gag in anything but step-in harnesses. Around here they are harder to find (Petsmart carries one that is always out-of-stock, and Petco doesn't have any). Chattiesmom sells really nice silk harnesses in a multitude of colors. I've also found several on ebay.

Recently Walmart had some cute ones, but they were too small for my two. Just google step-in harness.

I've also had really good luck with these from Udogu . They aren't step-in and I know they look like they'd pull on the neck, but Ginger is 13 lbs and can get pretty excited and this one has never gagged her.

why?????they dont know about the danger.. i just heard this myself recenty:aimeeyork:) on yt

I agree. I believe I first learned about harnesses at petsmart. Ginger and I had met a lady with a yorkie (Ginger was still a pup) and she had on a leather step in. The lady kindly showed me the harness and explained why she used it. Not once did she say, "you should". She just extolled all the wonderful virtues of her harness. Then left it to me and my desire to do the best for my girl...Ginger's been in harnesses ever since.

I do want to say, she wears her collar too. That's where there i.d. is. and I never take it off. I know there is debate about this, but I've had smallish dogs my entire life and not a single one has ever gotten into a problem because of a collar being left on and I would never forgive myself if she was lost without her i.d.

here are the best harness sets I have bought! I love these!
<CENTER>BIENVENUE.....WELCOME | <CENTER>Custom Dog Harnesses, Leads, Bows<BR>www.CajunCanineCouture.com</CENTER>

Wow, those are pretty!

Oooh, those are cute!

If you are going to use a harness, I would advise buying quality since many of these break.

It aggravates me to see/read/hear "experienced" dog owners become so annoyed/self-righteous about the mistakes that are made by those who are less knowledgeable about the right way to do things when it comes to dog ownership. Even DH, who is AMAZING when it comes to animals, period, does this to me. Peanut is my first dog. I've own rabbits in the past, but they're MUCH different than owning a Yorkie. I have a collar on Peanut, and as I read through this thread, I started to cry. I didn't realize that I was doing anything to hurt my lil guy. DH has taken a "hands off" approach to letting me care for him because we got into so many knock down, drag out fights when I first got him a few months back (there are historical issues there that I won't go into). Besides, he's never owned a small dog and may not have known himself that a harness would be best. Don't look down on me, though, for walking my dog with a collar...tell me to do something different. For those of you who offer information (and the kind souls that actually GIVE harnesses)...bless you. There should be more angels like you.

*Wipes away tears and goes to google harnesses*

Would someone send me information on how to find the right size and such? I don't even know how to start?

HELLO:) and welcome to YT . I will do my best to help you with what every you need:)
I will send you a pm and profile message.