Is there an age we can’t walk them as much?

[Captainzing]

I can’t imagine taking Dexter on vacation. I’ve always boarded him.

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

I had the same experience with Piper, her harness slipped right off while we were at a park, near a busy road, no fences. She started off and thank God hesitated when I said, "HOLD IT!!" I really believed she only hesitated because she never heard me like that...sheer panic. Anyway, I, too grabbed her, held her and continued shaking like a leaf until a half hour of walking home. Thank God in heaven above for helping us save our little footloose and fancy free babes!!

Jax hasn’t managed to slip his harness yet, but I think I’m going to have to switch to a different type of harness. I’m concerned it’s going to pop open because his hair is getting so long and it sometimes interferes with the velcro fastening.

Another issue that people sometimes don’t realize might be an issue is that the dog clips at the end of leashes sometimes fail, especially if the dog jumps around a bit. That’s happened to me twice with fosters. One second, the leash was attached to the harness, and the next second the leash was dangling at my side and the (harnessed) dog was loose. Luckily, both times it was with dogs who were somewhat timid and stayed close enough for me to pick them up almost immediately. It was scary enough, though, that I don’t attach leashes to harnesses with the dog clip anymore. I push the leash through the metal loop(s) of the harness, make a slip knot, and then clip the dog clip to a belt loop on my jeans if I want extra security.

[Jkpal]

YES, YES, YES!! You must check "equipment" i.e. fasteners, buckles, Velcro every time you're getting ready to take your little one out. Great advice and good reminder!!

[matese]

Originally Posted by Bluebells

Jax hasn’t managed to slip his harness yet, but I think I’m going to have to switch to a different type of harness. I’m concerned it’s going to pop open because his hair is getting so long and it sometimes interferes with the velcro fastening.

Another issue that people sometimes don’t realize might be an issue is that the dog clips at the end of leashes sometimes fail, especially if the dog jumps around a bit. That’s happened to me twice with fosters. One second, the leash was attached to the harness, and the next second the leash was dangling at my side and the (harnessed) dog was loose. Luckily, both times it was with dogs who were somewhat timid and stayed close enough for me to pick them up almost immediately. It was scary enough, though, that I don’t attach leashes to harnesses with the dog clip anymore. I push the leash through the metal loop(s) of the harness, make a slip knot, and then clip the dog clip to a belt loop on my jeans if I want extra security.

That's a great suggestion, especially for bouncing puppies that are being trained to walk on a leash, they are like bouncing balls.

I never had a problem with clips hooked to harness opening put it is a big possibility the older the leash gets.

[Captainzing]

I use a snap harness and make sure I hear a click each time I take Dexter outside. I’ve had problems with the leash becoming unhooked on occasion. It’s one that retracts and sometimes it slips out of the ring on the harness

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by matese

That's a great suggestion, especially for bouncing puppies that are being trained to walk on a leash, they are like bouncing balls.

I never had a problem with clips hooked to harness opening put it is a big possibility the older the leash gets.

I’m sure the chance of accidents gets worse as a leash ages, but both times it happened with my fosters, I was using a practically new leash. (I always buy new collars, harnesses and leashes for fosters.) The problem was that neither dog was accustomed to walking on a leash (which many fosters aren’t) and both were very “bouncy.” A dog clip, even a sturdy new one, can come open if it’s being jarred up, down and around.

[matese]

Originally Posted by Captainzing

I can’t imagine taking Dexter on vacation. I’ve always boarded him.

It's good that Dexter is fine with boarding. I however am not comfortable with boarding, if I cannot take my dog, I do not go.

However, I recently looked for boarding kennels in my area in the event I ever have to be hospitalized for a period of time. I did find one close to my house, thing is, because of the pandemic I cannot see what the inside looks like, they are not allowing ppl inside.

I would like to see if it's clean and odor free, I cannot and that makes me uncomfortable.

[yavenay]

Originally Posted by Captainzing

Another concern is the large dogs we have in the neighborhood. A few houses down there were two dogs loose sitting on the porch.
For some reason, one dog charged at us. I got Dexter behind me and yelled stop to the dog.
About that time, the owner called it back
We were walking in the street to avoid confrontation like this.
Sigh

That happened to me once. A dog charged us and I had to pick Duchess up and try to keep my back to the charging dog but I think it really wanted to play and was just overzealous. He wasn't growling or anything and his tail was wagging. His owner was able to grab him and when I got a really good look at him, he was just a big old goofy puppy dog.


But there is always the threat of big dogs in my neighborhood. I know where every dog lives and all of them are in fenced in yards but you never know if one will ever escape.

[matese]

Originally Posted by Captainzing

I use a snap harness and make sure I hear a click each time I take Dexter outside. I’ve had problems with the leash becoming unhooked on occasion. It’s one that retracts and sometimes it slips out of the ring on the harness

if that ever happened to Cody, he'd be off in a heart beat. I have had only one girl that was not a runner.

[Jkpal]

Originally Posted by matese

if that ever happened to Cody, he'd be off in a heart beat. I have had only one girl that was not a runner.

Piper, too, but you knew I was gonna say that, Matese! She is as fast as a blink, NOOO hesitation, and she'd be gone in the wink of an eye.

[Captainzing]

I just took Dexter for a walk and more panting. The problem is which y’all alluded to, Dexter wants to go as fast as he can drag me. Except for his stopping to smell and pee, he would literally drag me every step.
Any way to stop it ? I do out of precaution keep his leash short.

[gemy]

Yes but it's a real pain in your katouche. Every time when he pulls you stop dead still and don't move a muscle. I did this every day 3x per day in our walks.
Another thing if he's taking off north you go east or west. Best to practice t!hat one in an open park. No on city streets

And finally. I give one warning , do that Buster one more time, no walk. I promptly bring both of us back into the house.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Captainzing

I can’t imagine taking Dexter on vacation. I’ve always boarded him.

It is such a joy to experience travel with your beloved pet! Jackson goes everywhere with us, by car. He LOVES new places and is trained and socialized to behave in public. There are so many dog friendly towns where he is welcome in stores, at outdoor restaurants, hotels, etc. I now can't imagine traveling without him!

We hope to road trip to the West coast but so far he has been to Maryland (where we live, lots of different areas), DC, WV, VA, DE, PA, NC, SC, GA, FL

[Jkpal]

He is so continental. What a good, good boy and such a gentleman. And he is simply theee cutest little thing!!

[Captainzing]

Awww ☺️ what a little poser 👍🏽

Originally Posted by Britster

It is such a joy to experience travel with your beloved pet! Jackson goes everywhere with us, by car. He LOVES new places and is trained and socialized to behave in public. There are so many dog friendly towns where he is welcome in stores, at outdoor restaurants, hotels, etc. I now can't imagine traveling without him!

We hope to road trip to the West coast but so far he has been to Maryland (where we live, lots of different areas), DC, WV, VA, DE, PA, NC, SC, GA, FL