Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Training
  3. Using a harness for walks (Gentle Leader)

Using a harness for walks (Gentle Leader)

Basenji Training
  • S

    Hi
    While I'm doing further training with her not to pull at the leash, I've started using a harness with my 9.5 month Jessie, it's a gentle leader I think, it has the D-link for the leash at the front on their breastbone. I can't seem to get it to fit properly though. Does someone else use these without any problem. I've got it on as tightly as I would like it to be, to the point where I'm concerned that it's rubbing under her legs, but it still shifts across her back when I inevitably pull on it, so I frequently have to adjust it so that the top strap is behind her shoulders. Any suggestions to getting it fit properly? What about when I have to pull on it to get her going, too. I know it's supposed to stop the dog pulling, but am I also supposed to be able to pull on her as well (eg, when she's stopped to sniff at something and I want to keep going)?
    Any advice would be appreciated.
    Thanks
    Sheree

    0
  • JazzysMomJ

    I sure can't help. I tried a gentle leader with Keoki and no matter what I did, he could get himself out of it. I know when I'm beat, and donated it to a local charity store, LOL.

    0
  • QuercusQ

    Have her wear a regular neck collar, AND the Premier harness. Use your leash clip fasten to both the collar and harness D rings together. This will keep the harness in the correct position and give you much more control, but also keep her from being able to get enough leverage to pull you.

    And to answer the other part of the question…ideally you shouldn't HAVE to pull her, it happens sometimes...but try using some great treats to train her to check in with, and stay close to you. The walking harness and gentle leader should be walking aides that you use while you are in the process of training the dog to walk politely.

    Good luck, and let us know how that works for you.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • N

    I used a brand made by holt. It's a bit tricky to fit but it adjusted well as she grew. My breeder suggested it. However, the leash clips to the outside part of the upper neck

    0
  • lvossL

    What size did you get? Most basenjis are the 'tweener size S/M which are usually only sold by trainers, some vet offices, or online.

    0
  • N

    I bought a Med at Petsmart and had to adjust it quite a bit. There is a silver small ring that should sit right about the top of the legs on the brest bone. It's lasted 10 years. I've noticed that as she gets older her trachia muscles have gotten weaker. My vet suggested that I put this harness on again to help. So I'm using again on walks.

    0
  • S

    I got a medium size, as she's quite large for a basenji. I haven't tried hooking the d link and the collar onto the leash as the two seem too far away from each other. Maybe that's part of the problem! But I have decided to stop walking her for a while again because it's just made her more aggressive. I liken it too Caesar Milan's recommendation to walk your dog everyday to strengthen your role as pack leader. But all it does for Jessie is strengthen her role as a dominant dog. She started nipping at the kids more again, and most annoyingly, at me when I was leaving her behind to go out somewhere (even when I'd given her a bone to chew while I was out. Grrr! I don't appreciate being nipped. I noticed on the last day I walked her a few days ago that she glanced at me for a quarter of a second, and that was a big moment! Normally she doesn't pay me any heed whatsoever. Which is probably why I'm pulling her a lot. I want to combine a brisk walk for me with a couple of longer stops for her to have a sniff. Her idea of the walk is obviously for me to trail around after her!
    But of course it's my fault because I haven't been doing as much training with her as I need to. It's just such hard work, I keep getting distracted by other priorities. Back to it now I suppose, because I really would like to take her for a walk everyday.

    0
  • QuercusQ

    Have you tried a head halter? Like a Gentle Leader? It would probably give you more control. Have someone who knows how to fit one help you pick it out, and show you how to put it on her.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • S

    I tried a head halter ages ago, for at least 3 weeks, but she just hated it. She kept trying to get it off, even after three weeks, and I just couldn't do it to her anymore.
    A couple of books I'm following at the moment say that head halters suppress rather than correct the behaviour.
    She's doing well now.

    0
  • QuercusQ

    @SNA:

    I tried a head halter ages ago, for at least 3 weeks, but she just hated it. She kept trying to get it off, even after three weeks, and I just couldn't do it to her anymore.
    A couple of books I'm following at the moment say that head halters suppress rather than correct the behaviour.
    She's doing well now.

    Well, both the head halter, and the chest harness suppress the pulling behavior. You have to train the desired behavior at the same time. The idea is that you have to stop them from pulling, or else you can't make any progress training the correct behavior. Pulling is a self rewarding behavior; in their minds, they pull, and it makes them get to where they want to be. You have to stop that association, and retrain them that when the leash is loose you get to go where you want to be. Neither walking aide can do that, only the training.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0

Suggested Topics

  • eeeefarmE

    Know when to walk away....

    Basenji Training
    3
    1 Votes
    3 Posts
    610 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.
  • M

    Do you have walking on leash tips?

    Basenji Training
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I have worked with feral dogs in rescue who had never been on a leash, adults. Teaching loose leash walking isn't hard, but you need to back it with the "leave it" command. Mary's site is so simply it will make you feel faint. And it works. No pop and jerk, just good positive training. The lessons are on the left, other issues on the right. http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm I certainly would go through most the training, then get into an obedience class, but make sure by positive trainers .. go watch a couple of sessions first.
  • T

    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!
  • LyshL

    Slipping the collar and now harness… help?

    Basenji Training
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    I've used the Easy Walk harness for both my girls for over a year - Gemma can slip any other kind, and so can Shay. Gemma can even slip her collar. The Easy Walk gives me good control when they are suddenly off chasing a squirrel to the end of the lead, and since they are not tight in the front, where the ring is, they are not overly restricted when they walk well. Which they do seldom.:rolleyes:
  • Kingsley1230K

    Harness?

    Basenji Training
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    N
    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
  • TuckerVAT

    Using a Doggie Door

    Basenji Training
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    9k Views
    JazzysMomJ
    He still paws it open prior to going through, but he goes through which is >>the important thing. LOL That's how our older cat goes through too! Jazzy goes {or went, since she's banned from them now} nose first and had to wiggle and squeeeeeeeeeeze the body through little by little. She looked ridiculous! LOL