Skip to content

Harness?

Basenji Training
  • Hello,

    Just wondering if a harness would be a good idea for the pup? maybe not right away but definitely in the future.

  • Harness is a good idea if you don't want to lead your dog around by the neck. It's a matter of preference. (I use a collar.) I've seen puppies in harness and they seem to do fine. Can't think of any negatives.

    My mom has her cat in a harness and leads her around on a leash. The cat doesn't seem to mind it.

  • I have both collars and harnesses for my pack of 4, only our little schnauzer/yorkie mix uses a harness, the other ones won't move, like they are in straight jackets or something..I thought it would help in her not pulling so bad, but I really think she is supposed to be on a dog pulling team, because the harness didn't work one bit, but it feels secure on her and I like that.
    For Otis I use a martingale collar, so he won't/can't back out of it, should he get scared or see something he really wants to get..they work great.

  • I don't like using a harness because 90% of them restrict the movement of the shoulder and front assemby of a dog.. especially a puppy… of course that comes from the show background. And there are some really nice ones out there that do not constrict that movement, as they say, you get what you pay for

  • Mine has to have a harness because it's escape proof. With a collar she backs up, plants her feet, ducks her head, gives one little wiggle and she's off to the races! The thing about basenjis is that when they do get loose they get totally stupid and chase cars…..

  • tried all kinds of collars and harnesses, and because my B is a puller, and wants to get out of everything, I found that the Easy Walk harness, which attaches in front of the chest, is the best kind to keep my girls in line - I worried about my little one's neck with a martingale type collar, or any collar, because she would pull until she was choking, and then continue pulling. The harnesses that attach at the back were no challenge for her, she'd back up, squeeze her legs and head together, and out she came. You can get the Easy walk at most pet stores, or you can order them in the best size for basenjis, which is S/M, at their website. Of course, if your puppy walks well and has no pulling problem, you can use any harness out there. And enter your dog in the miracle sections of Believe it or Not!!!:D

  • Hey Shaye's Mom,

    I have a sm/m easy walk for Nigel and it works wonders. With his martingale he pulls like the dogs of hell are at his heals. I have yet to get the thing sized properly, but it is still better than anything else I've tried. I've noticed little lumps that I assume are from chaffing in his front "arm" pits. There is a large one on the left (I usually walk him on my right side so this makes sense…) and a very small one on his right. I get the thing to where it looks to be appropriately sized, but when we walk, he is CONSTANTLY sniffing and dips his head down. This makes lots of slack on the chest strap and brings the belly strap and top strap really far forward. I think that is what is causing the the chaffing. Any advice? Thanks a lot.

    Greg

  • @Nigel:

    Hey Shaye's Mom,

    I have a sm/m easy walk for Nigel and it works wonders. With his martingale he pulls like the dogs of hell are at his heals. I have yet to get the thing sized properly, but it is still better than anything else I've tried. I've noticed little lumps that I assume are from chaffing in his front "arm" pits. There is a large one on the left (I usually walk him on my right side so this makes sense…) and a very small one on his right. I get the thing to where it looks to be appropriately sized, but when we walk, he is CONSTANTLY sniffing and dips his head down. This makes lots of slack on the chest strap and brings the belly strap and top strap really far forward. I think that is what is causing the the chaffing. Any advice? Thanks a lot.

    Greg

    Greg: I have the same problem with the front part slipping on Gemma's harness - I have decided to get the sewing machine out and tack them in the correct position so they can't slide - I'm hoping that works. Shaye's harness stays pretty much, but will tack hers as well - so far they don't have any chafing from the slide - but it seems to me it will work better if they can't move at all.:rolleyes:

    Susan

  • Thanks Susan,

    I'll try that as well. Nige already chewed through a bit of his. When we walk passed this darned male Shepard mix that is always left outside, unattended, off leash, in the yard that backs up to open space trail, Nigel spins around and catches his leash or his easy walk in his mouth. It takes a second for me to calm him down and have him sit and shake for a treat or to just keep walking while I stare the dog down and tell him to go home.Hopefully that makes a better fit.

    Take care,

    Greg

Suggested Topics

  • Know when to walk away....

    Basenji Training
    3
    1 Votes
    3 Posts
    614 Views
    elbrantE
    Let's also consider that when you chase your dog, the dog thinks it's a game and will run away from you. Like... "you can't catch me!" Man, Basenji's can bolt! On the other hand, when you are the one running away, the dog instinctively joins you because you are part of the dog's family/pack. This is not to be confused with a learned command to chase an assailant, in Police work, for example. That would be a totally different game of chase.
  • Hunting Dog Training

    Basenji Training
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    2k Views
    sanjibasenjiS
    @sanjibasenji Looks like you said that difference in your second post, so we are on the same page.
  • The Art of Basenjis in the Rain

    Basenji Training
    48
    3 Votes
    48 Posts
    7k Views
    KembeK
    @binkobongo said in The Art of Basenjis in the Rain: ….. I usually have to bring an umbrella and hold it over her (meaning I get soaked) @binkobongo What we do for our basenjis!😆🥰🐾❤️
  • Trainers in San Diego

    Basenji Training
    33
    0 Votes
    33 Posts
    4k Views
    senjisillyS
    @klangill I asked in the Facebook San Diego (CA) Basenji Meetup group about trainers. A member recommended Crewsn K9 Academy. https://www.crewsnk9academy.com/ I posted early in this thread about checking with the local breed club, South Coast Basenji Fanciers, for advice.
  • Easy Walk vs. Sense-ation harness.

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    6k Views
    wizardW
    My Gossy pulled tremendously for a long time and I tried all kinds of tips from different collars to harnesses – once she started wearing a harness, she slowed down noticeably. I have the EasyWalk (and measured her exactly as described) but it has so much hardware (metal adjustment buckles) that it kept slipping down her legs and she'd trip. Finally I put it on backwards (so the front strap goes over her back instead) and it works much much better - course that defeats the purpose of the original design but it does keep her in check. However, the thing that really worked the best ... I put her in a 3-week class on loose leash walking and wow what a difference that made. Effective and consistent training!
  • Gentle lead harness or head collar??

    Basenji Training
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    VanessaV
    When I first started leash training our pup he pulled like crazy (still does at times). I tried the gentle lead collar and it worked. The only thing is that you can't leave it on him because he will find a way to chew through it. He will paw his face until he gets it off…BUT while walking him he does great. I don't use it all the time because IMO the dog needs to learn not to pull. We alternate between a regular leash and the "head gear".