Sporn harness - it's fab!

[clairep4]

Zorro, the little darling, has a Jekyll and Hyde side to him when it comes to walking on the lead.

On his own he will trot along as pretty as a little prancing pony, gazing up at you on a nice loose lead.

But if you're walking to and from the park in the mornings with Bellla in tow as well, forget it, he goes straight into chuffatrain mode, gasping for breath as he's pulling so hard, won't even consider a treat being waved in his face and even though Bella walks absolutely perfectly, Zorro just won't.

So I bought a Sporn harness and it arrived yesterday. This morning we walked to the park and my god what a difference - I arrived after the 5min walk with both arms the same length (not stretched  ), Bella behaved even better than normal as she didn't have him egging her on, there was no choking and gasping from Zorro and he walked perfectly.

Obviously we're combining it with training, taking them both on little trips around the block armed with the usual array of treats but I'm hoping that if he gets out of the habit of always pulling when he's with Bella, it will help. 

[Slave of Baxter]

Baxter is the same as Zorro... he has a sporn harness too and I wouldn't be without it now.

Congratulations on keeping your arms the same length! 

[MontyMoo]

Ditto...!!!


Monty got a Sporn harness about two weeks ago....I put my hands up and admit it was my fault entirely that he ever pulled on his lead in the first place....naivity/inexperience/stupidness call it what you wil, but if anyone is interested I have a gorgeous new shiny black Flexi lead I am willing to pay somone to take away...!!!-actually it's in the box of things I'm sending to Many Tears.  Seems a shame to throw it away, hopefully they will be able to use it.

But since he's had his harness he's a different dog entirely.  He's actually walking to heal and paying attention to me...hopefully we will be able to go back to his collar, but right now his harness is certainly assisting with his training!!

[img width= height= alt=SmileyCentral.com" border="0]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_2_105.gif[/img]

[Beth]

  Glad you agree, we wouldn't be without Jarvis' now.

The next step for Jarvis is to get a double ended lead (with a clip on each end) so he feels like he's walking with his collar but then if he pulls the harness can magically come back to life and remind him. The theory is he'll learn to walk nicely on a collar then. Unfortuately he doesn't often listen to "theory".

[cdpops]

Hi they sound great. Can I ask how you put them on, I have looked at pics but it isn't clear. Do the dogs have to put there paws through to put on? Or does it fasten with clips at the side like the mekuti?

[MontyMoo]

No easy-fit clips I'm afraid!! [img width= height= alt=SmileyCentral.com" border="0]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_13_3.gif[/img]

You take the left hand side and right hand side straps in coresponding hands so you have a circle of harness (just like a collar done up), place that over the head (Mmmmm....I know, and Monty was a pain with it to start with but he quickly got the hang of it!), then it's left foot, right foot!!!  You have both the neck and underarm straps together currently, so you lift each leg in turn and pass it through the strap, then just tighten the toggle a bit.  It's not too complicated and only takes a couple of seconds in reality.  If it helps I can take some pics of Monty tomorrow with his being put on, I just tried looking on the web just but mine doesn't look like any that come up on the images websearch (maybe I have a wierd one?? [img width= height= alt=SmileyCentral.com" border="0]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_12_3.gif[/img]

Hope that helps a bit!

[clairep4]

I'm going to stitch the fleecy sleeve things in place I think as that will make it easier. I put the collar bit on first and then clip the underarm bits around, then when we get to the park, I unclip the underarm bits and take them off so he keeps the collar on. He's being quite good and patient about it all, I have to say. 

[Beth]

I'm going to stitch the fleecy sleeve things in place I think as that will make it easier.

That was the first thing i did when mine arrived, poor boy got all excited about the expected walk and then had to sit and wait for me to finish sewing. It does make things much easier not having to worry about them moving.

[MontyMoo]

The fleece straps on mine don't really move...but then from reading Claire's description of putting hers on Zorro I think ours are different??  I don't have any unattachable straps....all one complete unit!!  Think I may have an odd one?? [img width= height= alt=SmileyCentral.com" border="0]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_2v.gif[/img]  I'll take a picture later and post it??

Jen x

[Elisa]

The fleece straps on mine don't really move...but then from reading Claire's description of putting hers on Zorro I think ours are different??  I don't have any unattachable straps....all one complete unit!!  Think I may have an odd one?? [img width= height= alt=SmileyCentral.com" border="0]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_2v.gif[/img]  I'll take a picture later and post it??

Jen x

Yours sounds like mine    Mine is an all in one too, but very easy to slip on and off, and I wouldn't be without mine now 

[clairep4]

Mine has the collar and then two straps which are joined by a metal ring at one end, then they have small clips (like normal lead clips) on each end. You pass them through the big D rings on the back of the collar, underneath the dog's armpits and then they clip onto two small D rings on the front of the collar, if that makes sense. But once the lead is off I find it all flops around a bit so feel safer taking the two detachable straps off so he's just got the collar on - probably me over-complicating things! 

[Beth]

The fleece straps on mine don't really move...but then from reading Claire's description of putting hers on Zorro I think ours are different??  I don't have any unattachable straps....all one complete unit!!  Think I may have an odd one?? [img width= height= alt=SmileyCentral.com" border="0]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_2v.gif[/img]  I'll take a picture later and post it??

Jen x

Yours sounds like mine    Mine is an all in one too, but very easy to slip on and off, and I wouldn't be without mine now 

This is the one i have too, they are made by the same company, but i think this is the newer design. They all used to be the collar type as far as i'm aware.

[Cocoa]

Please could someone tell me where these Sporn harnesses can be bought from.  Also what is the usual size for a cocker - Cocoa isn't the largest of cockers.  I quite fancy trying one on Cocoa as she pulls like a steam train and I'm not that keen (and nor is she!) on using the halter on her as it seems to end up pushing the loose skin on her nose upwards and closing her eyes up!  I'd be very grateful for some advice.  The only thing I was a little worried about with harnesses is that I'm sure I read somewhere that they can interfere with the dog's gait or something to that effect.

[Beth]

They are on ebay under under the name "non pull harness" it is made by the company of animals who also own sporn. Medium is usually cocker size, they are quite adjustable too.

[MontyMoo]

Monty has a medium, you're welcome to try his on Cocoa and see what you think for size.  I'll be going up the park at about half 4ish today??  If you are around and want to get the terrors together this afternoon shall I knock your door as I amble past??  If you want to, PM me your house number (think I know which it is but to save me trying all your neighbours first!!) and Monty can harrass you to for Cocoa to come out to play!!!

jen x