Let’s talk everything harness related! This nifty piece of equipment is an absolute must-have for mantrailing adventures. Without a harness, you're essentially going nowhere. Let's explore why this gear is so crucial and how to pick the perfect one for your dog.
The Harness: AKA Your Uniform
First things first, let's talk about the importance of a well-fitted harness. It's not just about style (although your dog will look fabulous); it's about safety and comfort. A properly fitted harness allows your dog to move freely, without restriction. Even thinking of trailing without a harness is like trying to ride a bike without wheels. Attaching the lead to a collar is a big no-no— not only does it restrict your dog from trailing naturally, it can cause long-term damage to your dog's neck. Remember this is supposed to be fun, not a literal back breaker.
Game On: The Power of Association
Now, onto the magical effects of the harness. In our previous blog, we touched on how dogs make associations quickly—both good and bad. Thankfully, with the mantrailing harness, it's all positive vibes. When that harness comes out, it almost resembles a uniform for your dog and they know it's "game on." Especially if you get yourself a harness that will only be used in mantrailing. It's like when you see your remote control and know it's time for a binge-watching marathon—except this time, your dog gets all the action and excitement!
The Tug-of-War Myth: Busted
I can hear some of you already: "But I don't want my dog pulling!" Trust me, I get it. You've spent ages teaching your pup to walk nicely on a loose lead. But here's the thing: Mantrailing and loose lead walking are two very different activities. Think of mantrailing as your dog's thrilling treasure hunt, while loose lead walking is more like a gentle evening walk on the beach. You're probably practicing loose lead walking far more often, so the occasional mantrailing won't turn your pup into a perpetual puller. If you keep these activities separate, your dog will know when it's time to switch from "good dog" to "super sniffer" mode.
Types of Harnesses: Choose Wisely
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of harness types. You're looking for a Y-front harness short to mid length. If you see a tag that says "no pull" or if it has a strap going directly across the chest, put it down and walk away. In my opinion, "No pull" harnesses are designed to restrict shoulder movement, making it uncomfortable for your dog to pull. It's like trying to run with your shoelaces tied together—not exactly ideal.
A Good Mantrailing Harness Should:
Be comfortable for your dog: If your pup could talk, they'd say, "Ah, like a cloud!" Comfort is key, people.
Be a Y-front style to allow free shoulder movement: Think of it as the canine equivalent of a well-designed sports bra—offering support and freedom of movement without any discomfort. For the men, think boxers!
Fit snugly without being tight, ensuring comfort and safety: If you can fit two fingers under the harness in all areas, you're golden. Remember, no one likes chafing—not you, not your dog.
NOT restrict breathing ability: Your dog should be able to sniff out clues, not struggle for air.
Prevent risk of injury: Because we want our mantrailing dogs in tip-top shape, not benched with a pulled muscle.
Distribute pull evenly and safely across the body: The harness should share the load, ensuring your dog stays balanced and injury-free.
Be easy to put on and take off, making it convenient for both you and your dog: No one wants a wrestling match every time you gear up for a trail. Quick and easy is the name of the game.
Have sturdy attachments for your lead to handle vigorous activity: This is not the time for flimsy clips, especially for the bigger dogs!
The image below provides a good representation on how the Mantrailing Harness should fit:
Trial and Error: My Top Harness Picks and Lessons Learned
Frank hasn’t been the easiest dog to find a well-fitted harness for. It’s almost embarrassing the hits my poor bank account has taken trying to find that perfect one. But what I learned, the hard way, is you don’t always have to spend a small fortune! Please note: These harnesses are from my own personal experiences; you may be able to find similar styles made by different brands.
Non-Stop Line Harness 5.0
When Frank was a pup, the Non-Stop Line harness 5.0 was perfect. It had that breathability, and the fit gave him the comfort and freedom of movement. Added benefit: it's fully padded, making it great for short-haired dogs, as it avoids that dreaded chafing. Downside: the neck and shoulder attachments aren’t adjustable, meaning Frank grew out of it within a few months and it was time for a replacement.
Pros: Breathable, comfortable fit, freedom of movement, fully padded (great for short-haired dogs to avoid chafing).
Cons: Neck and shoulder attachments aren’t adjustable, meaning quick outgrowing.
Price: Mid-range.
Julius K9 Mantrailing Harness
This is a fan favourite for many trailers, from small to large breeds. The length, chest, and waist straps are all adjustable, and it has a small built-in shock absorber which is super helpful for the mega pullers—reducing the risk of a dislocated shoulder. Unfortunately for Frank, I was still unable to have the chest plate fit perfectly, so it did result in rasping, which meant onto the next!
Pros: Adjustable length, chest, and waist straps; built-in shock absorber for mega pullers.
Cons: Chest plate didn’t fit perfectly, leading to rasping.
Price: Mid to high-range.
Niggeloh Follow Trail Harness
Niggeloh harnesses are raved over due to the high-quality materials and sturdy metal buckles and lead attachment, which means these do fall in the more expensive category. I tried the Follow Trail model, and as suspected, it was far too long for Frank, yet the chest fit perfectly. I took it to a cobbler to be adjusted in length but unfortunately just couldn’t get it short enough. So, I think the Follow model may be more appropriate for Frank, and one I will be trying in the future.
Pros: High-quality materials, sturdy metal buckles.
Cons: Expensive, length issues for certain dogs.
Price: More expensive.
TrueLove Harness
This is the closest we’ve come to perfect: the TrueLove harness. It feels great quality and generally has a good overall fit on most dogs. For this reason, we carry these in every size, giving you the opportunity to try this fit before you buy. It comes in a range of colours, so if you like to match your line and your harness, you’ve got a good chance of doing that with these harnesses.
Pros: Good quality and overall fit on most dogs, affordable, comes in a range of colours.
Cons: The lead attachment isn’t the sturdiest, but I’m yet to see one break!
Price: Affordable.
Conclusion: Harness Up and Hit the Trail!
So, there you have it—everything you need to know about choosing the perfect harness for mantrailing. Remember, a good harness is the key to a safe, comfortable, and fun experience for your dog. So, harness up, hit the trails!
Happy Mantrailing! And don't forget to share your adventures with us.
Danielle & Frank
The Frank ‘n’ Scents Mantrailing Team
Comentarios