Do I really need a harness for my puppy?
 

Do I really need a harness for my puppy, he cannot go for any walks until he is 16 weeks and has had his last set of shots right?:confused: So I will need to purchase and harness then, but not before?? Hope it's not to silly a question!

NOt a silly question at all, I dont think any question is silly because if it werent important you wouldnt ask it ;)
I say yes:
1) to get him used to it
2) for vet appointments
3 incase you visit a friend and want to sit out on thier deck ect..

I still took my dog in MY yard, but no other dogs are in my area... so I was lucky...

You should definitely use a harness rather than a collar. Are you asking because you want to wait until he's grown more?

I can tell you are going to be a great mommy, you are thinking of everything. :)

I didnt use a harness untill mine were ready to go on walks so I say no but your situation may be different. I had a travel crate that I put them in for the vets or I used my carrier

I say yes, go ahead and get him one. it helps them get used to wearing them. And I agree with all that Jeanm1963 said.

I agree with a harness and I also agree with jeanm1963. My babies, (I have 3) all love to wear their harnesses. They don't wear them in the house but when we go on walks or car rides they area must. You never know when you might need to put them on a leash.....

I would say yes, go ahead and get one. That way he'll get used to it. You should train them to walk with a harness/on a leash inside your house anyway before you actually go outside. You want to get a good one though, as I bought some from Wal-Mart (I have 2 yorkies) and the harnesses gave both of my puppes sores on each of their chests. Obviously I stopped using those & brought them back to the store for a refund! I found that a lot of pet stores will allow you to bring your pet into the store to get the fitting right. If you do that, chances are you will get the right fit. Good luck!

I never bought harnesses for them when they were brand new puppies. They grow so fast and there was nowhere I needed a harness for. I used a carrier when I went to the vet as they have a strict policy of using a carrier or having a leash on and if you don't have one they hand you a choke type leash! No way would I use that!! Besides the carrier makes it nice to keep them confined while driving too.

My first harnesses were from Des at mygofetch.com. They were as much fashionable as useful. Then we had to buy everyone new harnesses when we evacuated from a couple of hurricanes as I suddenly found they did not fit. Everyone else must have been doing the same thing as I ran into others searching for harnesses in the pet departments, just as others were scooping up batteries and flashlights. So, it is best to ensure you have a harness that fits at all times. But you could wait a little while to get started without hurting anything.

If you want some xxsmall harnesses, you could always make a post in the Yorkie Products Wanted forum here at YT. Those that have bought them find they grow out of them very quickly and may offer them to you at a much reduced price.

i think you should get one. like others said, to get your baby used to wearing it. i would say get an adjustable one so that as your puppy grows, it will till fit. usually you will have to go through a couple of harness though, to find one that you like and fits will, and also, puppies grow and old harnesses might become to small.

Okay, I will go ahead and get him a tiny harness so he can at least get use to it, I would imagine they need several until they reach their full size right? A harness can go over clothing correct? Still, a puppy cannot go for walks and around other peoples animals until 16 weeks? Am I wrong on that? I don't think I will ever run out of questions!!:eek:

Aww, Thank you so much, I want to do everything right for my new little guy! :D

I got one for him right away and he did need to get used to it, he didnt like the feeling of it on his chest and would try to stick his arms through the head hole. it was really cute.

Cash is almost 4 now and I got him at around 8 weeks and he still fits in the same harness, it was a adjustable one and in the begining i had it adjusted all the way in and now i have it all the way out.

:thumbup::thumbup:

It's good you are asking for advice and taking it too! You are going to be a excellent Mommy

When I put a harness on and clothes I put the harness on and the clothes over it and run the leash under the clothes to the harness hook but others may put it over top. Yes you dont want the pup to be around any dogs or dog poo untill its had all of the shots

Thanks, I will try the products wanted section :)

You should get him a adjustable harness and lead like the Little Paws. They can wear when their itty bitty and can grow in to. Just to get them use to it.

Thank you!

I bought a harness for bailey as soon as i got her even though she was not going outside i would make her wear it int he house on and off just so she could get use to it. She hated and now she LOVES it since harness = going to play outside for her :) goodluck with your new baby!!

usually they will need at least two harnesses, because they do grow out of the tiny one(s) you buy for them initially. there are a lot of adjustable ones out there. so it will last a long time depending on how big your baby gets. :D

So they can grow into from puppy to adulthood?? That sounds wonderful, do you have a link?, I would have to order online, there is only one pet store in my area, they carry very little selection. Thanks!!

another harness recommendation is that you might want to get one that's easy to take on and off. (unless you plan on leaving the harness on your yorkie - which i don't recommend) there are harnesses that are hard to take on and off, i think they are a pain, and i recommend you look for ones that are really easy to put on and take off. :thumbup:

I got mine at Pet co about two years ago. I know GW little sells them
Step-In Dog Harness - GW Little

its only 19.00 and goes great over the clothes.

it also very lite wight so for training purposes its great to leave on - supervised of course!

Omg, I thought they were mainly all the same:eek:..I definately want one that will have ease of use! I will not be keeping the harness on, only if I have to..not inside the apartment though.. Which type of harness is EASY TO USE?:p

Thanks for the link!!:):)

well, the ones that i found are easy to use are either the clip ones or the velcro ones. i will try to find you some links. :D

this one is the buckle one

Flower Power Comfort Wrap Harness - Collars, Leads & Tags - Dog - PetSmart

i have one of this for milu (different pattern) it works great inside or over clothes. it's adjustable, and also all you have to do is put your puppy's legs through the holes and clip the buckle.

this one is a harness vest

Blue Hawaiian Netted Harness - Harness Vests - Collars - Modern Tails - Designer dog clothes, apparel, collars, carriers, beds

i don't have this one, but just wanted to show you an example of it. it's usually velcro at the bottom, so it's also really easy to put on. :D

I have that one and do like it, very easy to put on and size.. my only issue was that I bought it and it didn't adjust small enough until Coco was almost full grown. I actually had to buy a ferret harness to start out with.

Yep thats the problem with harnesses its hard to find one small enough for a tiny pup

They make them in xxx sm sizes . However, when shopping for a harness I was looking for one that looked like the most comfortable for my baby, and the safest.
i remember using a velcro harness on Suzi, it was cute, but when it got wet, she slipped right out of the harness:eek: Suzi was playing in the sprinklers with kids that day ! :rolleyes: