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Post by Letty's Mum on May 29, 2014 12:43:12 GMT -5
Do they work? I'm willing to try anything! I'm at my wit's end with Moose, his behaviour whilst out walking seems to be getting worse and worse  If he spots another dog, even it it's in the distance, he starts to quiver and whine. He works himself up until he's literally throwing himself in the air barking and growling, sometimes landing in a heap and hurting himself. It's getting to the point where I dread walking him Yesterday he was spectacularly bad when a small dog passed on the opposite side of the road. I've been walking him in a fleece lined harness and a gentle leader, so you'd think that would suffice! However, as I pulled him in close he was practically climbing up me and pushing himself off with his legs. It took me all my strength to stay upright, and at one point he actually had me in the road. Whistler normally ignores him but even he got excited and started spinning which was a huge help - not!  In fact he took a frustrated nip at my leg at one point. I refuse to let Moose be a bad influence on Whistler and we just can't go on like this. I take him to work and introduce him to as many dogs as possible, and he copes quite well. He will consent to parallel walking with most calm dogs. However, as soon as we get home he reverts back to being a total t*t! With the Ruffwear harnesses having a lifting handle I'm hoping that, instead of having an undignified battle with him, I can just lift him (all 35 kilos of him  ) and just keep him off his feet until he calms down? Maybe a Dap collar would help? Or Rescue Remedy? Any advice welcome  |
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Post by samburns on May 29, 2014 13:28:06 GMT -5
The ruffwear harness IMO gives the greatest amount of control (and reassurance as they can't get out of them), definitely worth the expense.
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Post by andywillow on May 29, 2014 14:46:55 GMT -5
Ruffwear are fabulous, actually I don't have any but I have the eurohike which aren't made anymore but the same sort of design. It really did wonders with Delta, I was scared of losing her out on a walk as she too used to through herself up in the air and end up in a heap, sometimes in the gutter if a dog was over the road, although she is lighter than Moose the handle came in handy and I regularly lifted her off her feet until she stopped being a dick. They are pricey but worth it for peace of mind that the dogs cannot get out of them, Delta did get her muzzle and collar off once but thankfully her harness didn't budge and a small fluffy lived to see another day!  |
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Post by gilli176 on May 29, 2014 14:56:31 GMT -5
Love the ruffware harness Erin is very very reactive to cats and will redirect to me with the ruffware I can pick her up and just move her put of the way, I do muzzle her to give me piece of mind. She is however significantly smaller than moose at 21kilos. I also understand when you don't want the bad behaviour rubbing off on the other dogs cos erin is very capable of setting some of my foster dogs off and two of em spinning and being stupid is worse than one throwing a tantrum
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Post by craigandbev on May 29, 2014 15:16:20 GMT -5
We have ruff wear harnesses for four of our dogs, all for different reasons. They are not cheap and have recently changed the design but in our opinion worth the money.
We purchased the first one (recommended by a fellow Gapper) for our very breedist whippet X. For him, we use collar, harness and double ended lead. As you say in your post the handle comes in handy for extra control when needed.
Bev x
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Post by Lisa on May 29, 2014 15:25:45 GMT -5
I could not live without ruffwear! Actually no I take that back....... Sam would not be alive without ruffwear lol
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Post by bluegreyhound on May 29, 2014 16:06:48 GMT -5
Fanta has worn a Ruffwear harness all his life - he used to do backflips and spins and leaping in the air and never got out of it. He's about 37kgs, so you can't really use the handle to lift him (at least I can't) but it is something to hold on to - I used to have one hand on his collar, one on the handle (we used a martingale and double-ended lead). I've also found that actually standing over him (like straddling a horse) and squeezing gently with my legs helps to keep him calm - it might be something along the lines of the Thundershirt effect - while other dogs go past.
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Post by vickyb on May 29, 2014 16:44:36 GMT -5
Another big fan, 2 reactive dogs and they're a lifesaver - not cheap but worth every penny, just gives me confidence and security.
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Post by dianneh on May 30, 2014 2:13:46 GMT -5
My arms would be dragging along on the ground if it wasn't for a ruffwear harness. Fletcher pulls like a Trojan horse and has escaped backwards out of an ordinary harness. The ruffwear is brilliant and I have perfect control over him now |
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Post by gazer on May 30, 2014 5:58:15 GMT -5
Ruffwears here for the girls, it's reassuring to know that no matter how much they lunge or spin they cannot get out of them. The handle on the back is an extra something to either lift or just hang on to until the offending dog, or whatever has passed by. I use mine with a double ended lead, harness to collar. I also sewed in the lead a loop near the collar end so I can shove my hand through and get them really close if needs be (hope that makes sense)
I do sympathise with you over the walks, it can become a real trial and you start to dread going out. Could you take Moose on his own now and again and see if that helps, concentrating on one at a time could make the difficult situations less stressful and easier to handle.
Wishing you calmer times xx
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Post by Letty's Mum on May 30, 2014 10:16:26 GMT -5
Thanks very much everyone, I will be ordering a Ruffwear harness this weekend  Good idea about having some one-on-one walking with Moose Jacqui. When the harness arrives I will give it a go x |
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Post by julies on May 30, 2014 13:08:18 GMT -5
I'm putting a thread up about a TTouch and Clicker weekend ... have a look, it'll be a great chance to work with Sarah and Marie Julie xx |
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Post by sassbu on May 30, 2014 15:49:18 GMT -5
Tabsi wouldn't leave the house without hers! She makes a huge fuss of having it put on her and runs away and shoves her head under the dining table/dining chair/ cupboard, anywhere it's really hard to get it over her head. Then soon as her straight jacket is on, she's up and wagging she's such a Madame! She is quite manageable in either a pack of dogs or in places she doesn't know too well, but she goes nuts generally if she sees any other dog on what she considers to be "her" home streets (an after effect of street dog life I guess). I am about to start using a lead on her collar as well as her harness, but the handle is invaluable as soon as I lift her slightly off the ground she gets that annoyed with me now that she lies down to avoid it happening. Fortunately she doesn't seem to have the ability to bark when she's lying down, so it's 5* as far as I'm concerned |
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Post by sassbu on May 31, 2014 4:40:55 GMT -5
I also meant to add that now the weather is better and evenings lighter I am starting to split some of their evening walks, Noel gets a stress free walk and offlead time mooching round the rugby pitch and Tabsi gets taken to the park for some one to one time meeting other dogs. it's going okay so far but it's early days - anyway it is nice to relax and enjoy a completely stress free walk with one dog at least so can recommend that too for sanity's sake if nothing else |
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Post by futuramafan on Jun 2, 2014 16:48:32 GMT -5
Just to reiterate what's been said. Molly can be a nightmare although BAT is helping. I use ruffwear with double ended lead attached to collar and harness. If it makes you feel better I walk mine separately when possible as I don't want bossy britches Molly influencing wallace. Very naughty girl at times!
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