Okay, I am not too fond of harnesses bu I just might get Tessa one tonight so I can walk her with zero pull on her neck while she is recovering from whatever MAY be wrong with her neck. She might pull ME down the street not learning anything or undoing everything she DID learn but I want to follow vet's orders as closely as I can.

I was contemplating the Easy Walk harness...but I am also quite fond of the Ruffwear Web Master harness, it's almost like a vest  and has a handle to lift up the dog. May be more versatile of a harness...whereas the Easy Walker discourages pulling which would be good right now but eventually we need to go back to the regular collar required in formal obedience later on. While the Ruffwear one would be nice for hiking etc.

www.sitstay.com/dog/supplies/servlet/CategoryDisplay

www.backcountryk9.com/104/Products.aspx

Any thoughts? Any other harness suggestions?

Tessa -  First, I like the Ruff Wear harness for the same reason you do. 

However, you may have an alternative to a harness.  I think it was Trey or Bruce that talked about looping the leash under the belly to prevent the pulling.  I think it was in a post for someone who was having problems with heeling.  The loop tightens slightly under the belly and the dog doesn't like it, so he stops pulling.

Trey or Bruce or anyone - can you explain how to do the loop with the leash and how this works?

I tried that loop-around method a few weeks ago and it didn't work for us...probably doing it wrong...but it felt awkward to both me and the dog...I need something I can walk her with at a pretty good clip as that is the only exercise she will get this week - no running or playing or fetching allowed but long walks okay as long as the neck is not involved.

If only the Ruffwear came in orange

Hmm...that's a thought, Travis. She could carry the birdwings, the orbee and her dummy.

So we got a harness...after inspecting the Easy Walk it seemed too flimsy to me in the size she needs...I guess I am too much of a sucker for stuff well made so I went for the Ruffwear one. Very impressed with the quality and functionality. Tessa doesn't mind it at all, and doesn't pull much either - I guess the leash training has taken root. Vet thinks it's a good idea to keep her in it for a while (especially when meeting people) until she is less exuberant so she won't strain her neck again. I call it her straightjacket

Here she is wearing it during the EARLY morning walk:

That is a nice harness.  I would be good with flyball too with the handle on the back. I may have to get some for my crew.

Bev, I can only recommend it. Although obivously not suitable for hunting or training a dog, it's pretty multi-purpose. The handle makes it easy to assist her getting in and out of the car (I don't let her jump yet), or help her over the larger fallen trees in the woods. They make these harnesses in special-order colors for SAR dogs, that are lifted in and out of boats and helicopters...since the dog can swim in it, it will be nice on a lake if you're in a boat and want to lift the dog out of the water. Or hiking and the dog falls over a cliff and you can pull it up without discomfort to the dog (worst case scenario, I know, but that was the idea behind these... SAR and hiking). Probably good too for hyrdrotherapy or "teaching" a dog to swim (if needed).

I ran her through the woods and fields on a check cord today and was pleasantly surprised to find the check cord actually tangles less (around the legs) and is much more self-correcting on the harness than on the collar.

Here are two daylight pics taken today (trying to take a peek at China on the second one " align="absMiddle" border="0" src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/blue/emoticons/smile.gif" />  :

TessaGA,

Now that you have had this a little while, how do you like it? Any complaints or regirets?  I have almost bought one of these 3 or 4 times now and maybe you can put the nail in the coffin one way or the other...

Tessa's expression on her face says it all!! Boy do I know that GSP expression that says "What the heck are you putting on my body?? Do you expect me to wear this?? I just don't know if I will like this" !! I have seen the same GSP Expression when I tried a new neoprene Jacket on Rocky first time!!  Our GSPs certainly let us know thur facial expression, but tolerate what we put them thur because they love us, no matter what

A good example of a GSP just tolerating what his human is trying to make him wear, but clearly not happy about it

What you expect ME TO WEAR THIS????