Agree with @elbrant and I'd like to add, when you return be very matter of fact, do not make a big fuss, particularly if she is excited and effusive in her greeting to you. Sure, acknowledge her if you must but don't make any sort of big deal out of it. Go about your business, e.g. if you've been shopping, put your things away before spending any time with her. Your goal is to make your absence just part of a normal routine, nothing to be excited about. I've had two separation anxiety dogs, and you know you have won the battle when the dog just glances at you in an "oh, you're back" way and doesn't bother getting off the couch! Yes, people like it when their dog greets them and makes a big fuss, but if you feed that behaviour you give too much emphasis to your absence and that can grow into anxiety in your dog.
Harness help
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My basenji loves to rollerblade with us but I have 4 different harnesses and all of them cut her right in the armpit to the point of broken skin and sores. Everytime she get a raw spot we have to wait until it heals to get her out with us again (it is a great way to drain their energy and she loves to be able to go top speed). Do any of you have a good harness that fits their small necks and large chests? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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which type of harness do you use now? Do you have a pic?
I would try this type of harness: http://www.juliusk9.hu/en/ (check the K9 Powerharness, and watch the two pics about the perfect fit of it).Regards,
Esther -
http://www.ruffwear.com/Web-Master-Harness?sc=2&category=1131
XS for Indi it supports him around the belly instead of the arm pits, you can find it cheaper online ($35ish) REI is having a sale on them right now. Thats my best guess.
You could try it with their bunji leash (has a bunji chord to give a little if the dog or you pull)
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http://www.ruffwear.com/Web-Master-Harness?sc=2&category=1131
XS for Indiit supports him around the belly instead of the arm pits, you can find it cheaper online ($35ish) REI is having a sale on them right now. Thats my best guess.
You could try it with their bunji leash (has a bunji chord to give a little if the dog or you pull)
I was going to suggest this one also, I have several friends that use it and they rave about it. They had the same problem with other harness cutting into the armpits of their dogs and/or their dogs slipping out of harnesses but never had problems with the Ruff Wear harness, and their dogs can't slip them
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thank all of you i am going ot try the ruff wear!
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please let us know, if it works…
Esther
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I LOVE the ruffwear harness, I haven't purchased one yet for Zaire (I think she is about done growing), but Charlie has one and it works great..it sits in a way that I can pick him up without causing him any discomfort. They are fantastic!!!
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Just be sure to measure very carefully, and if they happen to chew a strap (not that I have any experience with this) take it to a taylor, they will fix it for cheap
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I'm not sure you'll be able to stop this problem with the harnesses. Often times, hair loss is from the hairs getting into the weave of the webbing and then it being plucked out. For that problem, you'll need a fabric against their skin that would be of a tight enough weave that the hairs can't get into the weave.
Second problem is the friction. The dog is continually in motion rubbing, while the harness is stationary. Back and forth, back and forth. Nylon webbing may not be abrasive when touched, but over time it will have the effect you've noticed. Perhaps a softer lining might work (satin, polar fleece), but over a long distance, it too may have the same result.
Time to reach outside the Basenji family to find rollerbladers that take their dogs with them. They must've come across this problem.
Nick
Lexington, KY -
Savannah had a harness that did the same thing. I ended up sewing a piece of sock around the strap where it hit her under the arm. It helped a lot.
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I'm not sure you'll be able to stop this problem with the harnesses. Often times, hair loss is from the hairs getting into the weave of the webbing and then it being plucked out. For that problem, you'll need a fabric against their skin that would be of a tight enough weave that the hairs can't get into the weave.
Second problem is the friction. The dog is continually in motion rubbing, while the harness is stationary. Back and forth, back and forth. Nylon webbing may not be abrasive when touched, but over time it will have the effect you've noticed. Perhaps a softer lining might work (satin, polar fleece), but over a long distance, it too may have the same result.
Time to reach outside the Basenji family to find rollerbladers that take their dogs with them. They must've come across this problem.
Nick
Lexington, KYThats what is great about Ruff Wear they really go above and beyond to prevent the friction wear and the hair being pulled out too
