Boettcher harness, AKC legal? works with prong? - Page 1

Couple of questions on the Boettcher tracking harness. First, tracking with my young bitch is really starting to come to come together so now that the foundation is laid I'm looking to plan for the future. One of the goals would be to do the AKC tracking titles at some point after her schutzhund titles; so I know that AKC rules require a harness - does anyone know if the Boettcher is legal? I don't like the typical tracking harnesses and would prefer to go with the minimum equipment possible...

Also, is it possible to correct with the boettcher? I know that the line that comes up between the front legs clips to the collar (fur saver in trial) but I'm wondering that if a prong is used in training if an effective correction can be given from the leash clipped to the harness ring, since that connects to the other line which connects to the collar…

My thinking is that if she is going to need to get used to the harness at some point it might as well be sooner then later, however I don't want to have a second line to handle nor want to eliminate the prong from training.

-Calvin

yes, correction for tracking with bottcher attached to prong is a good correction - keeps the line in the right place throughout - for training and Schutzhund tracking.  For AKC you need a harness that attached on the top of the back.

molly

Molly, sillly question here.  Could you turn the Bottcher so everything was on top and use it for AKC tracking?  Still minimal equipment and don't have to have multiples.

Another question here:  Can you tell me "why" one would choose this harness?  For what kind of tracking problems?  What kind of dog?  TIA

I use a Boetcher harness, sometimes with a pinch. I also use a second line sometimes, run through the harness and the hind legs, attached to the pinch. It takes a little skill, but I always put the correction line in my right hand, and make sure the lines aren't the same color and size to keep them straight in my own mind. Get the dog used to the harness early, even if your line isn't attached to it. Its a good "ritual" behavior, cueing the dog that "We're going tracking now." 

Can't see turning the Boetcher upside down. The wieght of the hardware would cause it to turn and go down one side, defeating the whole purpose. The only dog I don't use it on is Carol, who doesn't like it touching his nuts. Most males don't mind,, but whatever works... or not.

Good luck,

SS

BTW: You CAN use a Boetcher harness in the new AKC working dog (schutzhund) events. Its right in the rules. I don't do regular AKC tracking so I don't know anything about equipment for those events.