Howling for Harnesses

For those of us who own toy breeds, listening to your little baby honk like a barnyard goose may be all too familiar. Most often this symptom is the result of an irritated, or in more severe cases, a collapsed trachea. Estimates range that between 20-40% of toy breed dogs will develop some sort of tracheal disorder. The highest risk breeds are among our tiniest canine companions: Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Pomeranians, Italian Greyhounds, Maltese, and Toy Poodles.

If your little dog occasionally coughs, you may notice that a tug on your dog's collar, while out on a walk, will suddenly cause the coughing to start. While tugging on your dog's collar will not cause a collapsed trachea, it can cause the irritation that leads to coughing, which then irritates the trachea.

So, whether you are trying to curb the energy and exuberance of your new puppy friend, take control of your dog in unsafe situations, or just take your pup out to answer nature's call, harnesses are the perfect choice for toy breed dogs.

Designed to allow your dog to push with the chest rather than the throat, a properly fitted harness removes pressure from your dog's sensitive trachea. For "Houdini" hounds, harnesses provide an escape proof alternative to the classic collar. Toy breed dog collars should be worn to look wonderful and to hold tags only, not for leash attachment.

Once you have made the decision to shop for a dog harness, there are a myriad of harnesses to choose from. I have talked to numerous little dog owners who can pull a harness that didn't work out of the back of the closet.

At Moondoggie, Inc. we offer the following advice to anyone in the market for a harness:

TAKE 2 MEASUREMENTS - around your dog's neck, and around the biggest part of your dog's body (girth), which is usually just behind your dog's front legs. ADD 2 inches to your dog's girth measurement.

THINK COMFORT - Avoid harnesses that have pressure spots where they can rub against your dog's skin. Nylon and some unfinished leathers have a tendency to do that. Choose soft fabrics that "breathe". 100% cotton, or soft, porous, semi-stretch, neoprene blends are great because they are washable and dry quickly.

LOVE WHAT YOU CHOOSE - If you love the harness, you will be motivated to help your dog learn to love it too. Like dog collars and other forms of dog apparel, dog harnesses come in a variety of colors, fabrics and styles. They can be a quick-release, adjustable style, a vest style, or a step-in style. For those of us who love to dress our dogs, there's no need to strap a harness over a beautiful outfit. Now, even the most adorable dog dresses, coats, vests and shirts have "D" rings on the back, to easily make use of the outfit as a harness.

HAVE FUN - Dogs are creatures of habit. As you have probably already experienced, new things are approached with caution and often resistance. Introducing a harness into your dog's already contented life may require some creativity and more than a little patience.

To avoid most of the classic harnessing challenges, such as the "roll-over" , the "I want to see what you are doing" twirl or "jelly legs", we recommend that you lift and place your dog on a bench or table. You will have more control over the action, and your dog will have less room to maneuver. Talking to your dog in your "good dog" voice also helps. But most of all, make each time you put on your dog's harness a prelude to a ride in the car, a walk to the park, a cookie treat or anything that your dog loves. If you make the association between the harness and the subsequent positive activity really clear, it won't take more than a few times before your dog is so happy about wearing the harness, getting him to stop wiggling with excitement will be your only challenge!

Harnesses are essential for the health and safety of your toy breed pup. Well worth the initial shenanigans required to coax your baby into one, they can be fun and fashionable too! Once you start harness shopping, we would like to offer one final word of caution. Your dog may not be the only one that gets "hooked"!