protection harness - Page 1

just a few questions...i would greatly appreciate any advice/opinions:

1. harness vs. collar - why would you use one over the other for protection work?

2. what kind of harness should i be looking for?  padded, not padded, with/without handle, etc.?

3. can you recommend a harness and/or a place to buy one?

thanks very much

Hello UVW...This is a very good question...and I'm sure a lot of people would like to know the answer to...I, myself don't like to use the harness in bitework very much...but do keep a few in my equipment bag for use sometimes...I perfer to use a leather collar...usually about 1" to 1 1/2" wide and of good thickness and quality...I must stress that you DON'T cheat on the quality of your equipment...Two reasons why...1st: For the safety of your helper...and 2nd for the well being of your dog...But back to your question...I use the leather collar because I then have control over my dog...if I use a harness then I have to out-muscle my dog...It's much harder to control them with a harness on...There are basically two reasons when I would use a harness...1st: When my dog is working and can't bark because of the restriction of the collar around their neck....2nd: When I work a dog on a post I like to use a harness sometimes...It gives the dog more freedom to do whatever it is they'd like to do...Usually when your working a dog on a post your trying to bring out aggression and so you want to give the dog as much freedom as possible...I hope this helps cleanrthe air just a little bit about the harness...If you'd like more info or where or what kind of harness to get your welcome to contact me personally...

~Bob~

as with everything else, there are pros and cons.  one thing i don't like about a harness is that it is much easier to get the dog tangled up in a long line.  a collar will rotate completely around the dog's neck, so that if you are paying attention, you can keep the line from wrapping around the dog's legs.  whereas a harness is stationary, and you have far less control over where the line goes.........between the legs or arround them.

if you have a dog that is very strong in protection and seems to be choking himself off, it would probably be better to learn how to deal with a harness, but keep in mind (as bob o said) that you will have less control over the dog.  if you opt for a collar, then make sure you are not injuring the dog with it or giving unintentional corrections.

pjp

Hi, I'm one of the ones who always use an agitation harness.  I have a leather padded agitation harness that I really like, I think it's a Schweikert.  The handle is very useful. 

For learning grip work I like the harness.  I use a leather Wilson Harness that is not padded. If it fits correctly padding is not needed.  Sometimes the dog gets tangled up because the line being used is too long.  When working on a pole if the line is max 6 ft. this is usually not an issue.  I like the harness because it does not restrict airflow in the neck during barking and pulling.  I also think it is easier to control the dog because you can lift the front legs off of the ground easier than with just the collar.  Downside, outing is an issue if it has not been taught already.  So a prong collar around the neck with a handle is an easy remedy for outing.

Kyle

Kyle:  Glad  you brought up the subject of the out and wearing a prong with a handle....

I use to laugh at our shepherds when working them,,,,they looked like soldiers going to batttle with all the harness, tiny lead hanging and a prong with another handle and six different color of leads of all lengths around my waist and neck....funnee  or hanging on the barn door.....dogs learn the colors of the leads too,,,,they know which color is for tracking and they know when you get it out what is fixing to happen......

LOL,  They do sometimes look like Mr. T starter kits for K9's.

lol      My friend bought T's dog.....Larry

I use the Ray Allen Military Style harness for agitation work.  Low restriction, but as Q-Man posted, you have to out muscle the dog in certain situations.  I used collers at one time, but even with them I hade problems. To me it is a matter of personal preference as each training tool has it's pros and cons along with each handler/trainer having their own likes and dislikes.

Sometimes the only thing that two dog trainers can agree on is what the third is doing wrong.  Have a great rest of the week folks.

                                                      Don

And I know you meant the Mr T that wears the jewelry...they make dog jewelry also , losts of chains.....