As we all know leash training a basenji is a daunting task, especially the pulling. Martingales are nice, but to train the dog up into not pulling, I don't think its a good step, because well they still pull.

So my first step was the gentle leader, I trained my boxer on it and so thats where I started. My review is that it's still a great product. Tiggy will wear it and does great on it, but I found it's not good for extended wearing (several hours, meaning going out to events or picnicking, anything that is longer than about 45 minutes).

Next I tried him on the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness. Didn't buy, just tried it on in the store, review there not good for a basenji. Basenji's are on many things I've found to be a "in-between" sort of dog. Here's why I say that, I tried the small on Tig and extended out all the way, it did fit bordering between snug and too tight and the straps are thin (about the width of a cat collar) so I didn't like that, so I tried the medium on him. Well heres the in-between part, every part of it tightened it was way to big for him. I also know that he'd out grow the small because he's only eight months.

Moving on, I tried on the Sporn, well the normal Sporn small, I again ran into the to tight extended out all the way problem. I then tried on the medium, cinched the collar as tight as it would go, still a little loose around the neck but the rest made up for it. SO….I got it (wasn't happy that the collar part was red, but I'd survive. I had it for about 2 weeks and Tiggy does great on it. But I still couldn't get over the red collar, and there was so much extra strap from the piece that sits over the shoulders (for those that don't know the Sporn I'm attaching pictures below) that when Tiggy was pulled in close I'd end up be holding the ring.

Then to my excitement I discovered the Sporn mesh harness, debated over it for a week, then Tiggy and I went to the store and I tried it on him. Guess what, the small fits perfect with room for growing, and unlike the original version he'd sometimes choke himself, there was no choking, we walked around the store in it for about 10 minutes, and well I left it on him, paid and we walked out. It does the safe thing as the original but fits better and his normal collar doesn't get in the way of the collar that comes with the original sporn.

Okay so here's the pictures, first we have the Original Sporn Training Harness LINK

This it the one I just got the Sporn Non-Pulling Mesh Harness LINK

Also to end my long thread, the mesh one you just slip over the dogs head and slip the legs through and then tighten the cordlock

@WBL:

Next I tried him on the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness. Didn't buy, just tried it on in the store, review there not good for a basenji. Basenji's are on many things I've found to be a "in-between" sort of dog. Here's why I say that, I tried the small on Tig and extended out all the way, it did fit bordering between snug and too tight and the straps are thin (about the width of a cat collar) so I didn't like that, so I tried the medium on him. Well heres the in-between part, every part of it tightened it was way to big for him. I also know that he'd out grow the small because he's only eight months.

The Easy Walk Harness by Premier sells tweener sizes. You can order a S/M which fits a basenji pretty nicely. The straps are the same width as the Medium but the size is between a medium and a small. The tweener sizes are not carried at the stores but most trainers who sell them will have them and will make sure that they are properly fitted to your dog. Three of my puppy people use them and are very happy with the results.

@lvoss:

The Easy Walk Harness by Premier sells tweener sizes. You can order a S/M which fits a basenji pretty nicely. The straps are the same width as the Medium but the size is between a medium and a small. The tweener sizes are not carried at the stores but most trainers who sell them will have them and will make sure that they are properly fitted to your dog. Three of my puppy people use them and are very happy with the results.

Great to know, thank you. I'll look them up online

One thing I would recommend, if you are showing your dog, be careful using any type of harness.. they can and do alter the front shoulder movement and dogs stop using their shoulders in a straight forward movement and start a swinging motion.

@tanza:

One thing I would recommend, if you are showing your dog, be careful using any type of harness.. they can and do alter the front shoulder movement and dogs stop using their shoulders in a straight forward movement and start a swinging motion.

Good point, and that I do know, I should add that for Tiggy, I only use these devices when we go into places like Pet Smart or when we're in Germany out on the town shopping. Gives more control in crowded places. As for normal walks we use just a hound collar. When we are in busy crowded places Tiggy is still learning to behave like he does when we walk through the neighborhood and trails.

If you have never seen the Easy Walk Harness here is a basenji wearing the s/m.