EZY Dog Chest Plate Harness - 5 Sizes, 9 colors
Versatility Time! In The Car, On The Go!
The EZY Dog earns its name because it is just that EZY to put on. We love that the harness only has to be stepped into on the right side and that it comes with its own seat belt attachment for safe riding. Easy to figure out which end of the harness is up, it is clearly constructed, so there is no confusion on which strap you are looking at, such as can occur with other harnesses.
Once the size is adjusted for a perfect fit, Step the right paw through the opening between the back center and the chest plate. Next, place the back center of the harness, marked with the EZY Dog head, on your dog's back while pulling the two straps to the opposite side of the dog, one around the the front of the chest and the other under the chest behind the dog's legs. The two straps snap into place on the upper back of the dog (very convenient), so no bending over and struggling under the chest or to the side of the dog is required - EZY breezy.
Available in 9 beautiful colors, including a couple of patterns, you are sure to find the perfect match for your dog's personality and your favorite look. The design allows for excellent freedom of movement along with the padded, form molding chest plate for optimum comfort. Details include reflective stitching for safety. Including the seat belt restraint is a great bonus too, covering all the bases for versatility of use. Do note that the lead attachment for this harness is at the back of the dog, so may not have as much pull control as a front-attach harness might have for your dog. If EZY Dog would add the one front D-ring detail to the chest plate, we'd have the perfect harness for most everyone.
Please take time to read before purchasing a harness -
Delinda's Basic Facts about Dogs and Harnesses:
Harness Facts:
The harness is a wonderful way to go as an alternative to or as an adjunct to a collar. It is truly a more healthy alternative for walking than the collar when your dog pulls, as the weight of the pull is distributed to the dog's body instead of the neck. However, the weight of the pull is not really an issue if you have a dog who walks well on the lead, as there is little to no pressure applied on either a collar or harness when the dog has a good heel.
Harnesses were first designed as pulling devices for dogs: pulling sleds, carts, etc. Sometimes dogs more naturally want to pull in them, while other dogs pull less when in a harness than a collar. The behavior is individual to the dog and there is no way to predict this as far as I know. There are training harnesses that are designed to apply pressure to the dog in ways that discourages the dog from pulling in the harness. These training harnesses may be better choices to use when first training your dog to heel in a harness if you find you are having difficulty.
The harness is a little more complicated to fit and only slightly more complicated to put on than a collar. There are some dogs who do not like a harness and want to shut down when the harness is put on, but all of this can be easily overcome and trained. Since the harness is a little more binding for the dog than a simple collar, most people do not leave the harness on their dog 24/7 and thus, the harness should then not be the full-time reliable form of identification for the dog. However, a harness should still carry some form of identification.
One of the really handy things about a harness is that some come equipped with a handle on the back. This is a very convenient aspect for controllng the dog in an emergency or for lifting the dog, however not all harnesses have this feature.
Harnesses equipped with a handle can be very useful for assisting an older dog with arthritus or any dog with injury. Assistance either getting up off the floor, into a car, etc. can be more easily acheived with a good handle on a safely designed harness. But be very aware! You must make sure that the specific harness you are using and the pulling action on the harness does not further injure or compromise the dog. So, before employing this method for an elderly or injured dog, always consult your vet, bringing in the harness for them to see first hand.
For the Working Dog: The harness is a very important piece of equipment for most working dogs, both for identification and to use as a handle to assist or lift the dog. The harness can also signify to the dog that it is time to work. Therefore, most work dogs use collars regularly and add or change to a harness when on duty. There are dog work situations where both harnesses and collars can produce hazzards and the dog is worked with nothing. There is a wider selection of working dog harnesses available through the Working and Service Dog Product Pages.
Harness Safety: The harness also has some safety issues. Straps can chafe the dog, rubbing the skin raw and even rubbing the hair completely off over time. If gone unchecked, the area can become infected. It is wise to carefully inspect your dog for any of these signs, especially after wearing a new halter or after wearing any halter for a long period of time. The chafing problem is exacerbated when the harness becomes wet. Any style harness should be removed and allowed to dry after the activity requiring the harness is over.
The harness by virtue of its design, enables it to more easily get caught up on things. If your dog goes outdoors with you and hikes off lead in wilderness areas, then you must be aware of this hazzard.
For safety, only use a harness if attaching a dog in a moving vehicle, to a lead near or in water, or to a lead near a high precipice or ledge. Never attach the dog in any of these situations to a collar!
Harness Fit: The harness must be properly fit to optimize functionality and minimize injury. It should be snug so the harness stays in place and does not flop around, but never too tight. Be aware that the harness is not squeezing in on the dog in any of the strap areas. The two finger rule can be applied here as well on any of the straps of the harness.
Dogs come in so many shapes and sizes that it is difficult for a manufacturer of halters to get just the one right style that can fit for all these variances. Although many are adjustable in a myriad of ways, the connection points of one halter may not suit your dog's shape or breed as well as another. It may take a try or two to find a halter that really fits and suits your dog well and causes no chafing, even if worn for long periods. That said, halter design has come a long way in the last few years, so it is easier now than ever to find a great fitting halter for your dog.
The Harness Conclusion: To me, I think every dog should have a good collar and a well-fit harness. The harness does things that the collar does not and visa versa. Being part of search and rescue, I am a believer in having the right equipment for the job. However, only you know what your own lifestyle entails and what you will use. I hope the information here helps think through what is important and helps you make the best, safest decision for you and your dog.
Thank You...for taking the time to find our more! - Delinda