Skip to content

Cody vs the harnesses

Basenji Talk
  • When I came home from work last night, I got quite the surprise… although, I guess I really should have known better. I always remind my mom, who watches Cody while I am gone, to take his harness off after a walk and to put it up on top of the refrigerator. Apparently she forgot (the second time this week). When I walked in the door, Cody ran inside from the back yard to greet me, and he was trailing his harness. He had completely chewed the bottom part off, as well as the part that encircles his neck. This harness was a patched back up from the last time he started chewing it while he was wearing it, and because he had found his new one (which he had only wore once) sitting on the bar and decided it was something fun to take outside and chew to bits. I had to laugh though, which was nice after an extremely long day at work. I think it's time to either invest in a lupine harness or make the switch to a martingale style collar :).

  • So both the old and new got chewed? Such a little devil! But such a cute one. Do you think all basenjis know that when they are doing something rotten, they are so darn cute while doing it? :) Has anyone tried wire rope? Just kidding.

  • Whatever you decide, spray them down with Bitter apple. You can get it at Pet Smart, Pet Co. It slows some b's chewing down. My 2 won't touch anything iwth bitter apple spray on it.

  • Hah, so nicely cut, too! I plan to get a harness for Paco once he's fully grown…let me know what works for you! :)

  • jepp, been there done that, bought the t-shirt..Otis will chew on anything besides his collar, if it is on him..sometimes I even see him chewing on the other 3 dogs' collars, as if to help them..

  • LOL! Kipawa, Cody always looks so proud of himself after he destroys something. Then he wrinkles his forehead and looks up at me as if to say, "Pet me!" I can't resist that face, and I'm sure he knows it.

    Sharron, I will definitely pick up some bitter apple on Thursday when I go buy a new harness or collar (still undecided).

    Oh yeah, Bmamma, Cody chews Moe's collars. He completely shredded Moe's last one while he was wearing it. When they are play fighting, that's the first thing Cody attacks.

    I'm also thinking about making him a harness since I have so many left over buckles and rings from the many harnesses he has destroyed over the last 10 months. Maybe I can figure out a way to make it more comfortable for him. I also found a really cool site that shows you how to make your own martingale collar, so I may play with that a little too.

    I'm sure sometimes I'm a little too indulgent with Cody, or so my brother tells me, because most of the time I laugh his destruction off, but my theory is that we (both humans and dogs) are now trained to do certain things, and if we (humans) don't follow through (ex: taking off the harness and putting it somewhere high enough he can't reach it), then we are at least partially–if not wholly--to blame. Cody also never really destroys things that aren't his anyway (anymore).

  • No offense but doesn't your mother notice the harness all mangled up?

  • I asked her the same thing, wizard. She said he was just hanging out on the back porch while she was cooking. She glanced up at him every few minutes, but she thought he was grooming. He can be pretty sneaky about it, and I know that he can chew through one in no time.

Suggested Topics

  • Harnesses

    Basenji Talk
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    I don't like harnesses. I read something recently that putting them on too young a puppy can do nasty things to their shoulder formation as they grow. MUCH better to use a Gentle Leader as a training tool or as @eeeefarm suggests, a martingale collar. That way you control the head of your dog and can train it properly.
  • Martingale vs Harness

    Basenji Talk
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    12k Views
    K
    We use martingales for our 2 b's, (www.halsbanden.com) - similar to those worn by whippets and greyhounds. They work fine, and they can't pull out of them.
  • Seat belt harness

    Basenji Talk
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    T
    quick update, since this has been quite an ordeal for us…went back to PetSmart to return/exchange the EasyRider harness on our way to Kansas City. The employee involved her mgr in our conversation, since she had no idea what to suggest. We walked out with an American Tourister seat belt harness, and so far, so good. Pippi remained strapped in during our short jaunts around the city, and also during the 500 mile trip back home, whether from travel fatigue, disinterest, or inability to escape -- who knows! In the meantime, we'll continue to set her up in the harness and hope for the best!
  • Basenji vs Chihuahua

    Basenji Talk
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    S
    Check out a local Chi rescue in your area. They will be able to help you.
  • A few "firsts" for Cody

    Basenji Talk
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    4k Views
    snorky998S
    Great job Crystal and Cody:). Macpac says it all when it was stated "Kudos to you for teaching him to love and be happy. " We sometimes forget that the baby-step advances with an in home raised puppy (as difficult as that is at times) is really nothing compared to the difficulties and patience needed when an older dog, abused, neglected, or just plain unwanted/emotionally devoid Basenji is adopted in a home. Baby steps for others, can be a GIANT grand canyon type leap for a rescue/rehome and their family. Congratulations for jumping the Grand Canyon:D
  • Microchipping vs. Tattoo

    Basenji Talk
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    5k Views
    J
    Hey! I only got one chip! I should have looked into it a bit more, huh?!