Easy walk Harness scare...long

[OilSands Mom]

This is my first post since joining besides introduction so if I have put it in the wrong place feel free to move it.
Titan and I went for our walk to pick my daughter up at Kindergarten. When we got back to the house it was beatiful out so Blaire wanted to ride her bike...so far no problem right? Well as she was riding I put Titan on the tie out we keep around the tree in our front yard so he has some freedom when we are out as it is not fenced. He was busily chewing on a small branch as I was puttering in the flowerbed. Imagine my surprise when all of sudden he is sitting right next to me. It appears that when was layed flat out with his legs in front of him, he was able to back out of the Easy walk!!! Holy crap, I just about died. We immediately came in and sure enough, If I layed him out flat, I was able to slide the harness right over his head. I didn't even think about the fact that he wasn't standing up ...Bad Mommy. At least he had the presence of mind to want to show off his "accomplishment" instead of running off. My heart is still racing.
Lori

 

[Net45582]

Yes,that is scary. My angel Ginger was an escape artist. She would slip the harness and scale an 8 ft fence...then come to find us with a "what's next" Boxer smile and butt wiggle. Glad Titan came to find you too.

 

[Roxygirl2006]

Oh no! Thanks for passing on the info. I only walk Roxy on the easy walk harness, i have another harness for around the house and going outside.

Thanks for sharing, I'll be extra careful in the future

 

[Shakira's Ma]

I had a very scary moment involving the easy walk harness myself. We took ShaKira to a park and was walking her with her easy walk harness on, we ran across another boxer and my DH took her over to play and before you knew it, one jump and out she slipped from the harness and was on the run. Fortunately she came to one of the women sitting at a picnic table. It was very scary because she isn't really well trained on recall, she can do it she just prefers not too. I posted about this because it upset me so much that I wanted to warn others of the potential of this happening to their dogs. I used that easy walk harness one time and after that it was history, I will never use one again.

 

[GomersGirl5]

YIKES! I would have FREAKED!! We are looking into getting Maggie a harness... What are some good ones to look for? Obviously the "easy walk" will NOT be on my list.... Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[OilSands Mom]

GomersGirl5

I am certainly not saying disregard the easy walk Harness. It makes walks with a young dog soooo much easier than a regular leash and collar...I love it that way. I just never in a million years would have thought he coud back out of it. Looking at the harness after the fact it makes sense as he was basically in a flat position and the belly belt slipped right over him. I will just develop an alternative when he is out front with us, until then BACKYARD only!

 

[todell80]

I'm not sure what kind of harness you are talking about, but I would have had a heart attack if that would have happened to me!!

 

[Pearlywhirly]

I have this harness and I use it as intended, for walking. It has really helped me with Pearl's training. I really don't think it was intended for use as a tie out. If your pup is backing out of it maybe the belly strap needs tightening? I only offer these suggestions as just that, suggestions, and not with rude intentions.

 

[GomersGirl5]

thanks for clarifying, Lori. I'm planning on going harness shopping this weekend.

 

[Zoeys_Mom]

Zoey just has an 'old school' harness, and she can even get out of that if she's playing with another dog. I haven't had her do it by herself (yet)... I've given her the middle name 'Houdini'... She is very good at getting out of things I put her in!