Roxys New Harness (FAO Vanessa) and anybody else who's interested

Ok Vanessa, so I know you've been waiting to see Roxy in her new harness but as she's been in sollitary confinement due to her kennel cough I have'nt had a need to use it. Now she's all better and no longer coughing we have the green light for walks again.
We went for a walk last night and she did really well on it, so on our walk this morning I took my camera out to get a few snaps. She only has a basic, cheap and cheerful harness for now as I was'nt sure how she would go (and did'nt want to waste my money if it was'nt going to get used) Now that I know she likes it and does well, as she grows I can look at various other brands and styles

what a star

what a great colour it really suits her,

That look nice - where did you get it?

Love the color!

A little tip - If and when you get another harness I would look for one where the back strap is further back. You don't want the front leg touching it when she walks if you can avoid it (it will often cause them to alter their walking a little, which again can cause them to wear on their joints in the wrong places and cause damage in the long run).

Hey she is one spunky looking chick ! Love it !!

If we ever get together for a dog walk, Roxy and Jethro will be like twins, as his is purple too !!

Caryll wrote:That look nice - where did you get it?

Caryll, i got it from "Better Pets and Gardens" here in Aus. Don't know if you have them where u are

Aniemother wrote:Love the color!

A little tip - If and when you get another harness I would look for one where the back strap is further back. You don't want the front leg touching it when she walks if you can avoid it (it will often cause them to alter their walking a little, which again can cause them to wear on their joints in the wrong places and cause damage in the long run).

Thanks Ane,

Yes, I'm sure I will end up buying her another harness soon enough. She's only 5 months so I can pretty safely say she has growing to do I will definitely keep in mind what you've just said. I had a look back at the photo's and what you say does make sense It's all a learning experience for me, never had to use a harness before now. My old dog ( my darling Border Collie "Missy-Moo" who was with me for 16yrs ) used to walk beautufully on a collar.
Thanks for the advice.

lynne wrote:what a star

what a great colour it really suits her,

When we selected Roxy from her litter, they said that they would be putting collars on all of the pups and my daughters both asked if hers could be purple, so from very early on she's been a "purple puppy". As she grew out of her teeny-tiny collar and we went to buy another my girls still stated it HAD to be purple. So.....it looks like Purple it is but yeah, she does suit the colour.

She is such a good girl. We started Izzy off in a pink collar and her next one was purple and it looked great till she grew out of it. I still have her purple training lead though. We bought one for Izzy about 2 weeks ago from Better Pets & Gardens (Kramer brand) it's a large. The girl fitted her but Trevor and I noted it was rubbing under her front legs, so we're now trying an EZY quick fit harness (although the lead attachment is in a similar position). We are also trying the EZY "Mongrel" lead, with or without the extension depending on whose walking her.
Does her training class allow use of a harness, we always had to use the nightingale collar for training and she was great 12 months ago, but seems to have forgotten "loose lead walking" of late

Dogalogs88 wrote:She is such a good girl. We started Izzy off in a pink collar and her next one was purple and it looked great till she grew out of it. I still have her purple training lead though. We bought one for Izzy about 2 weeks ago from Better Pets & Gardens (Kramer brand) it's a large. The girl fitted her but Trevor and I noted it was rubbing under her front legs, so we're now trying an EZY quick fit harness (although the lead attachment is in a similar position). We are also trying the EZY "Mongrel" lead, with or without the extension depending on whose walking her.
Does her training class allow use of a harness, we always had to use the nightingale collar for training and she was great 12 months ago, but seems to have forgotten "loose lead walking" of late

Hi Lee,
I think the harness I bought for Roxy is a Kramer brand. Can't remember what size it is for sure but I think it's a small. She will no doubt grow out of it rather quickly. Let me know how you go with the EZY quick fit. I like the look of the EZYdog, EZYharness with the padded chest plate but the large was too big and they did'nt have the size I needed in the colour I wanted ( although she would've had to have Pink as they don't make a purple one........would've been in the bad books with my girls )
Roxys training was a 4 wk course and last week would've been her final week. I am going to book her in for another block so will have to see when I can get booked in. They prefer collars, but if i'm personally not comfortable using a collar on her then they can either like it or lump it. Either way, i've learnt to stand strong and do what I believe is right and what I am comfortable with.

Loopy wrote:

Roxys training was a 4 wk course and last week would've been her final week. I am going to book her in for another block so will have to see when I can get booked in. They prefer collars, but if i'm personally not comfortable using a collar on her then they can either like it or lump it. Either way, i've learnt to stand strong and do what I believe is right and what I am comfortable with.

You tell em GIRL!!

I just had the strangest thought - I never took Kita to any formal dog training and she is the most obedient, mellow, loyal and loving dog I've ever known, I think she balances my personality.
Izzy on the other hand is full on, does the right thing when she wants and "you've got no hope" when she doesn't which makes her the complete opposite of Trevor,

Do we pick our dogs or do they pick us.....?

i was told by breeder of my dog that he thought that harness were a no no for staffys under 18 months old,due to possibly causing shoulder damage in young dogs..?????

markeB wrote:i was told by breeder of my dog that he thought that harness were a no no for staffys under 18 months old,due to possibly causing shoulder damage in young dogs..?????

This is true for incorrectly fitted harnesses (unfortunately a lot of the harnesses sold these days don't have sufficient room for the front legs to move naturally, which again can cause damage. Damage is caused more easily in the softer joints of young dogs/puppies, which is why it is particularly important to have a correct harness for them. You can look here https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t4683-choosing-a-harness for how to make sure a harness fits. You want to avoid all harnesses where the piece that goes in front of the front legs and the one behind the front legs come together in one spot, but even those with a better construction can prove to be too short when on your dog. I had one custom made with a longer back piece when Bajas was younger, unfortunately he's outgrown it. The good ones can be really hard to find.

Lisa never mind the harness i like your drive way nice block work

Marty wrote:Lisa never mind the harness i like your drive way nice block work

Thanks.....it's coloured, stencilled concrete