Below is my favorite and a great harness for basic work. It’s my favorite because it’s easy to put on once you get it set up on your dog, and it’s easy to take off. What really makes it easy is that you don’t have to lift front paws or legs to place them into harness holes. You just put one part over the head and snap the other strap underneath, around the rib cage. Super easy!
I use it with the D ring, the connector ring, up top, on the dog’s back. You do not have to use it with the D ring at the dog’s chest, like the photo on the box shows. I prefer that people get used to holding the pet firmly and close to them for rehab work, holding the leash near the D ring at the shoulder blades.
This way of holding the leash and harness comes in handy when you have to help keep the pet from stumbling onto their face (no face planting), AND it comes in handy to help quickly correct a dog that needs rehab work yet is very stubborn; simply lift up on the harness a little bit, thus lifting the front legs a little off the ground or at least taking some of the power out of the front legs. Then you may more easily redirect the activity.
This style harness is usually great for a cat or a small dog (if your cat will walk in a harness!):
This leash is durable and comfortable, a good-quality choice to help you direct exercise and drills and great for all walks. Currently available for medium and larger dogs-
… and for dogs with neurological problems and trouble using rear and front legs:
These pieces may also be purchased separately, so if you already have a front harness, you may purchase the hind lifting kit to attach to your front harness and help lift the back end.
I do not use and I do not recommend using the standard belly sling for your dog.
Using a lift that fits like the harness below will allow for the leg joints to move more freely, if and when they are moving.
A belly sling, which is traditionally used in veterinary medicine, puts a lot of pressure on the abdomen and bladder of most medium-sized dogs and larger. Even a small dog or cat will become more irritated, in my experience, when a belly sling is used. I will include options for cats and smaller dogs further below. I often make a hind sling for a small dog or cat using a small dog front harness. (See Tiny Cat video).
Gehhilfe Hundegehilfe Hilfsgeschirr Stützgeschirr Hebehilfe Tragehilfe Geschirr
Some options for the smaller crowd:
There are others listed across the Amazon marketplaces that I don’t like using as well, which is why I often make my own. Some of them are very complicated to get onto the dog, and then they just don’t fit well. You could cut the sides of a cloth shopping bag and put the dog legs through the handles and hold onto the bottom of the bag as your handle, and you’d have a better fit than a lot of the other products for sale.
I am not listing pics right now of slings and harnesses I have found to be poorly designed. Try to find one like I have mentioned or pictured above to use for your pet’s situation.
Updated 2/28/17 More options to be added…
