Harness question - YorkieTalk.com Forums

tmorrow26 · 08-09-2010, 05:49 AM

I just bought harnesses for my two babies and I was wondering if anyone leaves the harness on their pups all day? I am using them for outside trips. I have been letting the puppies out in the backyard for a while now because it is fenced in, however, I just recently noticed 3 LARGE HAWKS perched in the neighbors tree all of the time! I am terrified that these monsters want my babies as a snack so I have started to take them in the front yard with their harness and leash. It is such a hassle to take the harness on and off every 1-2 hours. I am trying to potty train

The little rascals think my rugs are their toilet! Anyway....is leaving the harness on for a while a bad idea or not?

lil fu fu girl · 08-09-2010, 05:57 AM

I did it once when Andromeda was little. She and our adult pup started playing and before I knew it their harnesses interlocked. It scared the adult so much that he started fighting to get her off and succeeded in almost strangling her. I have not done that since. Needless to say with an experience like that, I would not recommend it.

JenaLiat · 08-09-2010, 05:58 AM

When we first got Claire we left her harness on the way you would a collar. She HATED it!! She would scratch at it ALL the time. We thought she just needed to get used to it since she did the same thing with her collar at first.
Little did we know that it was rubbing her RAW!! It wasn't tight at all, but having in on all the time really hurt her delicate skin.
I know take it on and off every time...we did this while potty training too so that she wasn't hurting...

Britster · 08-09-2010, 06:19 AM

I don't leave Jackson's on all day, but sometimes I will for a few hours at a time. He has a Puppia harness so it's mesh and comfortable and has never caused him any issues with matting, chafing, or irritation or anything. I think if you're going to leave one on all day to make sure it's a good and comfy harness.

Also, it's really easy to get his on. He knows the deal now and just puts his head down, Puppia slides over head, then he lifts his paw through the hole, and buckle, we're ready to go!

speleogirl37 · 08-09-2010, 06:23 AM

I would try a harness vest. I love them, they are soooooo much easier to deal with. On and off is very quick and easy!

kdhawks · 08-09-2010, 06:25 AM

I'll occasionally leave Levi's on - but only if I am with him. I'd never leave him alone with his harness on. If we are visiting another house, I leave his harness on and watch him like a hawk so I can take him at at the first sign that he needs to potty.

CruiserCody · 08-09-2010, 06:28 AM

When I first got Cody I left his harness on during the day thinking it would be easier with so many trips outside. After chewing through the harness (and that was with our supervision - i.e. thought he was chewing on a bully stick but boy were we surprised), I stopped leaving it on. He now has a Puppia Sport harness which I love. It is a mesh step-in and gives him great protection on his chest when we walk -- he used to occasionally cough when pulling too hard but no more.

tmorrow26 · 08-09-2010, 06:52 AM

Thanks everyone! I am definately going to try the puppia mesh harness because I don't really even like the ones I have now! I am not going to leave the harness on for very long at all. I am a very worried mommy anyway so its probably best that I dont!

shoefelmeyer · 08-09-2010, 03:03 PM

I would not recommend leaving a harness on. Only put it on when you take your little ones outside.

I also learned the hard way, when my husband was leaving the harness on my little yorkie when I was in bed for a week very sick. Not only did she chew the brand new harness, but it also created little matts. I had just bought the harness and called Petsmart to see if they had another one. They told me they would replace it at no cost. I also had to take "Princess" to the groomer to have the matts brushed out. What a mess! It was not bad, but bad enough that Princess was not allowing me to work thru the matts.
I have also learned never to put my pomeranian puppy in his kennel with his collar or harness on. He somehow manages to find a way to chew thru them. I sew, so I was able repair his collar and harness.
Neither of my two pups will ever have a collar or harness on, unless they are going outside.

deonk1 · 08-09-2010, 03:25 PM

My breeder told me this story:

She was running to the store (gone 20 min max) and was just about to leave, one of the dogs had a collar with his tags on it (I think it was a boarder cause she doesn't use collars... she was just about to pull out of the driveway when she got a weird feeling...

She came in to find the dog with the tags stuck by the dogs throat, if she had left, god knows what would have happened.

To this day, she has never left collars on, nor does she put tags on them... she carries the tags in her purse, has them micro chipped and uses harness or show leads for all. This story was enough for me to never leave anything on Harley.

Mom to Hot Rod · 08-09-2010, 04:00 PM

I have left harnesses on my 2 for short periods of time like if I were working in the yard so I could take them in and out. As a general rule I don't leave it on them though. Hot Rod doesn't particularly like straps and constantly chew on any so I would be afraidofhis mouth getting caught it. I do like the vest harnesses too-he doesn't mind them at all.

Vinniedoggy · 08-09-2010, 04:31 PM

No, harnesses are always off in the house. First, they just look a bit uncomfortable - I don't think I would want to wear one all day! Second, I would be afraid it would get caught on something.

BLowry · 08-09-2010, 04:41 PM

the only time the girls are in harness is when they are on the leash...other than that I never leave them on...I would think it would be uncomfortable...not to mention it knots their hair and (like a poster here just said) could get hung up on something

mercyme · 08-11-2010, 01:38 PM

There are ladies on here that make nice little soft harness vests. They are lightweight, attach w/ velcro and you can choose your fabric.

Plus you get the satisfaction of knowing that you supported someone on this site.

I bought a couple from a nice lady on here and they are very lightweight, easy to take on and off and to me it seems they would be very difficult to get hung up on anything (they have a D ring sewn on the back).

Good luck to you.

jltwigg10 · 08-11-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercyme

There are ladies on here that make nice little soft harness vests. They are lightweight, attach w/ velcro and you can choose your fabric.

Plus you get the satisfaction of knowing that you supported someone on this site.

I bought a couple from a nice lady on here and they are very lightweight, easy to take on and off and to me it seems they would be very difficult to get hung up on anything (they have a D ring sewn on the back).

Good luck to you.

Do you recall who sells them on here?
I like the idea of supporting someone on our site.

08-09-2010, 05:49 AM	#1
tmorrow26 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 109	Harness question I just bought harnesses for my two babies and I was wondering if anyone leaves the harness on their pups all day? I am using them for outside trips. I have been letting the puppies out in the backyard for a while now because it is fenced in, however, I just recently noticed 3 LARGE HAWKS perched in the neighbors tree all of the time! I am terrified that these monsters want my babies as a snack so I have started to take them in the front yard with their harness and leash. It is such a hassle to take the harness on and off every 1-2 hours. I am trying to potty train The little rascals think my rugs are their toilet! Anyway....is leaving the harness on for a while a bad idea or not? __________________ Mommy to Jax and Molly girl

08-09-2010, 05:58 AM	#3
JenaLiat Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southeast GA, USA Posts: 81	When we first got Claire we left her harness on the way you would a collar. She HATED it!! She would scratch at it ALL the time. We thought she just needed to get used to it since she did the same thing with her collar at first. Little did we know that it was rubbing her RAW!! It wasn't tight at all, but having in on all the time really hurt her delicate skin. I know take it on and off every time...we did this while potty training too so that she wasn't hurting... __________________ Claire Bear's Mommy

08-09-2010, 06:19 AM	#4
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	I don't leave Jackson's on all day, but sometimes I will for a few hours at a time. He has a Puppia harness so it's mesh and comfortable and has never caused him any issues with matting, chafing, or irritation or anything. I think if you're going to leave one on all day to make sure it's a good and comfy harness. Also, it's really easy to get his on. He knows the deal now and just puts his head down, Puppia slides over head, then he lifts his paw through the hole, and buckle, we're ready to go! __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

08-09-2010, 06:23 AM	#5
speleogirl37 ♥ Luv My Lil' M&M ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,572	I would try a harness vest. I love them, they are soooooo much easier to deal with. On and off is very quick and easy! __________________ Angie Madison Chance Our Future Baby Tatum

08-09-2010, 06:25 AM	#6
kdhawks Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,359	I'll occasionally leave Levi's on - but only if I am with him. I'd never leave him alone with his harness on. If we are visiting another house, I leave his harness on and watch him like a hawk so I can take him at at the first sign that he needs to potty. __________________ katy&levi

08-09-2010, 05:57 AM	#2
lil fu fu girl No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,410	I did it once when Andromeda was little. She and our adult pup started playing and before I knew it their harnesses interlocked. It scared the adult so much that he started fighting to get her off and succeeded in almost strangling her. I have not done that since. Needless to say with an experience like that, I would not recommend it.

08-09-2010, 06:28 AM	#7
CruiserCody Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 163	When I first got Cody I left his harness on during the day thinking it would be easier with so many trips outside. After chewing through the harness (and that was with our supervision - i.e. thought he was chewing on a bully stick but boy were we surprised), I stopped leaving it on. He now has a Puppia Sport harness which I love. It is a mesh step-in and gives him great protection on his chest when we walk -- he used to occasionally cough when pulling too hard but no more.

08-09-2010, 06:52 AM	#8
tmorrow26 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 109	Thanks everyone! I am definately going to try the puppia mesh harness because I don't really even like the ones I have now! I am not going to leave the harness on for very long at all. I am a very worried mommy anyway so its probably best that I dont! __________________ Mommy to Jax and Molly girl

08-09-2010, 03:03 PM	#9
shoefelmeyer Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Posts: 839	I would not recommend leaving a harness on. Only put it on when you take your little ones outside. I also learned the hard way, when my husband was leaving the harness on my little yorkie when I was in bed for a week very sick. Not only did she chew the brand new harness, but it also created little matts. I had just bought the harness and called Petsmart to see if they had another one. They told me they would replace it at no cost. I also had to take "Princess" to the groomer to have the matts brushed out. What a mess! It was not bad, but bad enough that Princess was not allowing me to work thru the matts. I have also learned never to put my pomeranian puppy in his kennel with his collar or harness on. He somehow manages to find a way to chew thru them. I sew, so I was able repair his collar and harness. Neither of my two pups will ever have a collar or harness on, unless they are going outside.

08-09-2010, 03:25 PM	#10
deonk1 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,795	My breeder told me this story: She was running to the store (gone 20 min max) and was just about to leave, one of the dogs had a collar with his tags on it (I think it was a boarder cause she doesn't use collars... she was just about to pull out of the driveway when she got a weird feeling... She came in to find the dog with the tags stuck by the dogs throat, if she had left, god knows what would have happened. To this day, she has never left collars on, nor does she put tags on them... she carries the tags in her purse, has them micro chipped and uses harness or show leads for all. This story was enough for me to never leave anything on Harley. __________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love!

08-09-2010, 04:00 PM	#11
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	I have left harnesses on my 2 for short periods of time like if I were working in the yard so I could take them in and out. As a general rule I don't leave it on them though. Hot Rod doesn't particularly like straps and constantly chew on any so I would be afraidofhis mouth getting caught it. I do like the vest harnesses too-he doesn't mind them at all. __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10

08-09-2010, 04:31 PM	#12
Vinniedoggy YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 280	No, harnesses are always off in the house. First, they just look a bit uncomfortable - I don't think I would want to wear one all day! Second, I would be afraid it would get caught on something. __________________ Andrea, Mom to Vinnie, Alex, and Guru

08-09-2010, 04:41 PM	#13
BLowry My furkids Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,625 Blog Entries: 1	the only time the girls are in harness is when they are on the leash...other than that I never leave them on...I would think it would be uncomfortable...not to mention it knots their hair and (like a poster here just said) could get hung up on something __________________ Brenda

08-11-2010, 01:38 PM	#14
mercyme Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 82	Harness vests There are ladies on here that make nice little soft harness vests. They are lightweight, attach w/ velcro and you can choose your fabric. Plus you get the satisfaction of knowing that you supported someone on this site. I bought a couple from a nice lady on here and they are very lightweight, easy to take on and off and to me it seems they would be very difficult to get hung up on anything (they have a D ring sewn on the back). Good luck to you.