Harnesses for agitation? - Page 1

I must admit, I've always used a wide leather agitation collar so this whole harness issue is completely foreign to me but I am interested in hearing others' opinions.

I use a harness on all my young dogs starting out in protection.  I want the dog to be pulling hard and somewhat unrestricted.  With some dogs the leather collar will cause them to gas out earlier from the pressure on their neck.  I keep the dog on the harness until I'm ready to add some control work in the protection.  All of the foundation work is done on a   harness, especially when doing post work.  I even used a harness on my current dog who was almost 2 years old going through the K9 school. 

I may even go to a nylon harness for long tracks when working, I'm currently using a leather collar for that.  My dog tracks at a fast pace causing me to jog or run to keep up.  This can be tiring for me on long tracks ( mile or more) through woods, but the dog will get gassed to.  Mainly from dragging me through the woods on a leather collar.  

JMO,

Jim 

http://www.dogsportgear.com/Yurkiw_Protection_and_tracking_Dog_Harness.htm

I just got one of these harness,s for a friend and she loves it with her dog. I may try one when I need a new Harness.

I was using a leather collar and my girl would just about strangle herself on it.  She didn't care that she couldn't breath.  So I bought a custom leather harness with a nice padded breast plate and I love it.  She can pull all she wants and her bark is better without that pressure on her neck.  Funny thing, I actually have more control over her now than when I have her on a pinch.  The freedom of movement seems to have made her more eager to behave between the car and the field.  Go figure.  I would highly recommend one and you can use it for tracking as well.
Deb

different types of harnesses and all fit differently. becareful that it is put on correctly,

last week someone's 5 month puppy slipped out of his during puppy circle, could have been bad, but they caught him in time.

I use a leather harness in protection until control work for several reasons.

The dog is able to have a more constant pull on the end of the line thus making line management easier.

Also on stake outs and early agitation it keeps a lower pivet point So the dog isnt being pulled upward when hitting the end of the line.

It also gives me a handle to lift the dog when say kicking the sleeve away instead of collar pressure. Which collar pressure is instilled in the dog as a negative.

Also less chance of an neck injury from snapping at the end of the line. It just keeps those concerns to a minimum.
Not to say there is a big risk from the 2" agitation collar, just better to keep that as low as possible you know.

There are draw backs though.
Such as the dog has more leverage to drag you after the decoy.
Much like collar depency when you pull the vets out they know its time for protection work. Which has to be worked aorund etc......




I also do a lot of scent work and I track in a harness and on collar Both in training and the field. Cause you dont always have your harness with you when you get a call. In the beginning I harness the dog 1st and track to give contectual clues to this signify it is time to work. As with many dogs they take the "set up"  to go work very serious. My boy comes out of the truck runs around jumps on tailgate waits for his harness. jumps down and waits to go trail. As this has been his routine for months.  However once the dog has some understanding I will use both vest and collar because what happens the day you took your vest out of the truck and left it in the house by accident. So I train with both.

Held:

Also anyone who is under the impression that just because you use harness or a collar somehow dtermines how tough your dog is,is greatly misled.

Just wondering where did that come from?
           

I agree with Held and Bob.

I saw much tougher, harder dogs at Contra Costa Schutzhund with Ivan Balabanov where all the dogs used harnesses for training than I did at my previous club (will not mention names-nothing good to say).  There were Schutzhund dogs, Ring Sport, personal protection and quite a few Police dogs there for a tuneup or problem solving session.  There were all breeds, not just mals.

Everybody used harnesses.  My harness has a handle on the top.  With my first dog, I used the handle most of the time..  I had a collar with a tab.  I kept a leash strapped around me,  He was a very obedient, willing dog.

With young helion Pharaoh, I had to have a person behind me and use a longer line.  I didn't want the spetacle of elderly woman flat on her face on the training field.  He coils and springs.  I stopped training at a little over 1 year-long story.  It would be far worse now.

I am soon going to be selling my house and my next destination is not clear.  Their may not be any clubs near.  Probably Northern Arizona.


Michele