I recently purchased an Easy Walk harness for Muttley. The first time I
tried it, he seemed better about pulling while we walked. But at one point
I tried to use it to "correct" him from following a scent into some bushes,
and it became partially undone.

Today, I tried it again, but first I tightened it a little more, to what
seemed to be a more correct fit. He did not like having it put on,
especially when I tried to fasten the "belly strap", but it was easier when
I fastened the top strap last. He was very good about walking today,
although I had to get used to him walking by my side in "heel" position. It
was actually difficult doing so when negotiating some narrow trails, but
overall it worked very well.

It is awkward if he walks ahead, because the leash bounces around. The
chest strap, which is where the Martingale loop and leash connection are
located, is connected to the belly strap, which wrap around his front legs,
so it moves as he walks. There may be a better adjustment to minimize this,
and it is not too bad when he is walking at my side or behind me.

The real test will be when I take him out in public, as on the NCRR trail.
But this is a great improvement. I'm surprised that it was not suggested
long ago, such as in my first obedience classes. My new trainer, Bonnie,
told me it should work, and she offered to help me adjust it and use it.

This is a much better and safer alternative to prong collars, Halti head
collars, and snapping on choker chains. Of course, this does not allow the
will of the handler to be imposed on the dog, and it does not facilitate
"corrections", as evidenced in my first experience. It is self-correcting.

Paul and "self-heeling" Muttley

In article ,
"Paul E. Schoen" wrote:

It is self-correcting.

and wonderful for lazy people who don't want to actually train. Some
people actually want a reliable dog without having to use a special
device though. Without TRAINING, and EFFORT, Muttley will be stuck on
the thing forever.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

"Paul E. Schoen" wrote in news:480665bc$0$19849
:

I'm surprised that it was not suggested long ago, such as in my
first obedience classes.

Perhaps that is because it is not a training tool? I mean, what,
exactly, do you think Janet should have taught you?

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

In article ,
Paul E. Schoen wrote:
This is a much better and safer alternative to prong collars, Halti head
collars, and snapping on choker chains.

Better and safer how?
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

(Melinda Shore) wrote in news:fu5ue9$fuj$1
@panix3.panix.com:

Better and safer how?

Because Janet didn't recommend it. HTH!

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

On Apr 16, 1:46 pm, "Paul E. Schoen" wrote:
I recently purchased an Easy Walk harness for Muttley. The first time I
tried it, he seemed better about pulling while we walked. But at one point
I tried to use it to "correct" him from following a scent into some bushes,
and it became partially undone.

He was very good about walking today,
although I had to get used to him walking by my side in "heel" position. It
was actually difficult doing so when negotiating some narrow trails, but
overall it worked very well.

Heeling is more demanding than loose lead walking, but you have to let
your dog explore from time to time, too. I learned that when I noticed
my first dog was trying to heel and poop at the same time. Also, on
narrow trails letting your dog go first makes sense.

I'm surprised your obedience course didn't cover loose lead walking;
at least turning 90 degrees multiple times to get the dog to follow
you/watch your left foot.

In article ,
Shelly wrote:

(Melinda Shore) wrote in news:fu5ue9$fuj$1
@panix3.panix.com:

Better and safer how?

Because Janet didn't recommend it. HTH!

right! Note that it "came apart" on him as well. For an "engineer", he
can't seem to figure out some very simple devices. Perhaps he's
allowing Muttley to stop and scratch at the harness, the same way he
left the pinch collar on and let him roll and scratch. Or he's just
really inept.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

"Janet Boss" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Paul E. Schoen" wrote:

It is self-correcting.

and wonderful for lazy people who don't want to actually train. Some
people actually want a reliable dog without having to use a special
device though. Without TRAINING, and EFFORT, Muttley will be stuck on
the thing forever.

It works for me, and it's a lot less stressful on both of us than yanking
on a prong collar as you taught me to do, or using force to make him do
what he does not want to do, which causes aggressive behavior. Of course,
if you feel the need to impose your will on a dog with just those methods,
maybe that makes you feel powerful and superior. I just want my dog to be
comfortable, happy, and in reasonable control. Maybe after a while he will
get the idea and I can take him off the harness. But it's not such a big
deal if I use it forever. He seems more attentive and it certainly won't do
as much damage as a choker chain or prong.

After all, Muttley is my buddy, which you seem to think is wrong, according
to your post in the AOL boards. Why do you think that makes him less of a
dog? Or how does that make me a bad dog owner? And why do you continue to
distort the facts by saying I did not do ANY of the homework? That is
totally false, and you are just saying that to try to suck up to the AOL
people who don't like or respect you, and never will. Don't you understand
"Leave It"! I have tried, but you keep stirring up the manure pile by
lying, and I feel compelled to (once again) set the record straight. You
cannot deny that you had no part in the tragic events that occurred in your
poorly supervised class.

spit

Paul and Muttley

In article ,
Shelly wrote:

(Melinda Shore) wrote in news:fu5ue9$fuj$1
@panix3.panix.com:

Better and safer how?

Because Janet didn't recommend it. HTH!

BTW - I ordered 2 of the previous incarnation of these - the
"Sense-a-tion" harness, when they first came on the market. I do that -
test products to see if I find them useful (and spend my money to do
so!). I wasn't thrilled with them. I don't like how snug they have to
be to work well and not come off, I find them cumbersome, like many
harnesses are. The really big factor is the management part though. If
one put effort into training while using one (active training not
related to the device), it would be a personal choice issue. I haven't
found anyone who uses them that does that.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

In article ,
wrote:
Heeling is more demanding than loose lead walking,

These guys tend to use "heel" in an extremely imprecise
way. You too, I gather, when you say this:

I learned that when I noticed
my first dog was trying to heel and poop at the same time.

Personally, I don't expect my dogs to heel when they're out
for a walk. It's work for them. Loose leash is fine.

I'm surprised your obedience course didn't cover loose lead walking;

I believe it did. Paul didn't do his homework, the dog
didn't learn, and Paul blames everybody but himself.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community