 Barked: Wed Aug 22, '12 7:50am PST |
 | |  | | I'll preface this by saying that you have time. You shouldn't Start doing mobility training until a dog is 18 months old at minimum, or more specifically until after the vet clears all the growth plates closed and you have at least had the vet look at x-rays of hips and elbows.
Beyond that, Bridgeport makes three different mobility harness's that are all extremely heavy, and I have yet to find a dog that didn't eventually go harness shy wearing it. The straps are large, and the buckles bulky which tend to make it difficult to put on if you have any limited mobility in your hands. The raised handle assistance harness is one I'd avoid at all costs as the parallel handle can be dangerous to you and the dog.
Circle E custom makes a harness which is likely just as expensive (I never have managed to access either pictures from their site or the order form/price sheet so I can't confirm price) it is a Y shaped front which tends to bunch on the shoulders and eventually causes pressure points. You can find pictures of it online and generally you can see the bunching that I've mentioned, not to mention most people I've talked to who use this harness eventually went to something different due to other issues, often the handle grip being problematic as well as shifting/wobbly over time.
Active dogs makes more than one but I Seriously don't recommend their Heavy duty or light duty mobility harness due to the way it sits on the dog and a number of reported issues with the design. Not to mention that it will not distribute pressure evenly and the back piece tends to slip. Orthopedic-ally this is not a harness designed with the dog or the handler in mind. It looks good in theory but works poorly. The standing leather harness however is a decent option if you need more forward motion than you do counter balance or brace work.
Hands down from my research the Bold Lead Designs harness's are the best on the market for counter balance and brace work. It is sturdy, well made and the attention to detail is meticulous. It is also designed with limited hand dexterity in mind, and is very easy to get on. The ridged handle model the handle folds down which is something that is important for getting your dog into and under smaller spaces (tables at restaurants, buses, the car) and this is a noticeable bonus. It is also the lightest harness on the market at the moment for this sort of mobility and I can assure you that your dog will be able to tell the difference. Katrina is very willing to offer payment plans as well as work with you on finding creative ways to fund raise. I've seen a number of people successfully use Chip-in pages and share through facebook and since your boy is as young as he is you would have plenty of time for this option if you decide to go with it. |  |  | |  |
|
| my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals | [notify] |
1
