Harness Bold Spot

[Vesna]

My 1 year and 8 months old Frida is wearing a harness. I tend to rotate between 3-4 of them but she still developed a bit of a bold spot on her chest, where the harness would touch her skin. She doesn't seem bothered by it, but I would still like to encourage a bit of hair growth there, as well as get her coat a bit thicker on the sides of her body as well (where the harness is touching her). Has anyone experienced the same and were you able to get the hair to grow back / grow thicker? Thank you for your answers!

[eeeefarm]

Not the answer you want, but simple fix. Don't use a harness! (Collars have better control of the head, in the past harnesses were only for tracking and sledding, as they are superior for pulling. Forget all the B.S. about damaging the neck! Never seen it happen and have worked with dogs for 65 years!)

[Vesna]

Thanks for the answer. I did try it, but as she's not used to it, she makes choking noises at the lightest pull... But I guess she can get used to it.

[tanza]

Agree with eeeefarm, I never recommend a harness for Basenjis... and yes it will rub hair off the chest and under "front arms".... not only that it will limit the movement of the front leg movement.

[eeeefarm]

@Vesna said in Harness Bold Spot:

Thanks for the answer. I did try it, but as she's not used to it, she makes choking noises at the lightest pull... But I guess she can get used to it.

What kind of collar did you use? I like a wide martingale design, but anything will work if you properly teach loose leash walking. Takes patience at the start, but if you persevere it is entirely doable. Basically you don't proceed if the leash is taut. Once the dog figures out they make no progress by pulling it should become easy. And BTW, do not use a flex leash. It is designed to reward pulling!

[JENGOSMonkey]

@Vesna I used a harness for Jengo. Used one for Logan and Sparkle for short time too. Then I discovered Hound collars, or wide martingales and they're also called. Love them! They can pull hard if and when I allow it without damaging their throat of esophagus. I HATED a 5/8" martingale cause it always made Jengo choke and gag and make all kinds of horrid noises like he about to die. Didn't know anything about wide martingales back then, so a harness is the way I went.

What I like about the wide martingales is exactly what eeefarm said... You can control the head. My female is triggered by other dogs and pulls hard. I can get instant control of her without chocking her out. I find them really flexible. I can give them some lead or make them heel quickly. So far, we don't have any bald or burn marks on their necks at all. Mine are 1 1/2" wide.

My female has an 11" neck. Measure yours and find something that fits. Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0743HM3XB

[Micah]

@Vesna she needs to taught lead manners the chocking noise will stop when she has been taught not to pull 😊

[Vesna]

thank you everyone! The collar is ordered :-)