Picky Pooch!

RyuRyu
edited June 2008 in Shiba Inu (柴犬)
So when you guys were saying that Shibas can be picky, you weren't joking!!

I am so SICK of buying harness after harness only to be disappointed again and again. Ryu outgrew the cheap harness we had on him when he was a puppy so thinking it was time to get a better quality one, I bought an EZY dog harness for the car and he hates it. So I went back to the cheap harness in a step-in style and he refuses to stick his legs in the holes. So I ordered a fabulous harness from Lupine. Ryu hates his Lupine harness. urg. After finally choosing a pattern that I like (it's so hard to shop for boy pups!), when I put the Lupine on him, he freezes and refuses to budge. So, I'm now on ANOTHER search for a sturdy harness for hiking and car rides. urg urg urg

OK! just needed to vent! :-)

P.S. I still love the little guy but he makes me want to pull my hair out!

Comments

  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    LMAO silly Ryu.
  • HarlowHarlow
    edited November -1
    I'm not sure Ryu is going to "like" any harness. Our Harlow hates them all but the one she tolerates the best is the Puppia:

    http://www.bowsawowsa.com/product_info.php?products_id=112

    It seems to be the most comfortable for her and she soon forgets about it when we go out for walks. She also does the frozen statue thing whenever we put anything on her. We get her all excited to go for a walk and put the harness on her just before going out the door. If that doesn't work, try putting the harness on as well as attaching a leash to Ryu's collar. Make use of the collar leash at first and gradually work in the harness leash. We did that with Harlow when we used the Easy Walk harness on her. The harness was effective but she always looked uncomfortable. The Puppia is working out the best for Harlow. She is 22 lbs and we got the large.
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    I can't remember the brand name for the one that Jazz has, but it's very similar to a Puppia. Jazz has her harness on all day - I take it off only when it's time to go to bed.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Kitsune put up a fuss when we first put a lupine harness on him, i don't think he ever had to wear one before, we must have pulled him for a block or so before he decided to give up his fussing and walk..
    Oy, these shibas!!!!
  • tobyshibatobyshiba
    edited November -1
    ... Toby hasn't had any problems with harnesses once they're on. xD Thats the catch. You have to get it on him. I use the Premier Easy Leader. It connects at the front and pulls to the side when he pulls too much ahead. I also have a seatbelt harness that he cannot get out of because I got the one with extra padding in it. So, it keeps him busy, he chews on it. ;) He usually doesn't whine in car rides unless hes in too long, and is very excited to get out.
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    Hehehe, what a spoiled brat Ryu is!
    That's actually very cat-like of him. Nyx refuses to move when we put her harness on. She just lies down on her side, and it takes loads of encouragement (please read food, toys, etc) to get her to move. But she still doesn't like it.
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    You are giving Ryu too much power in this situation. Sometimes you have to stick a dog with something they hate. Nemo has a step in harness that we use for when we are in the car. When I first go it, putting it on him was a battle. I had to put a 6 foot leash on him, and then wrap it around my thigh until it was about a foot long, then I would sit down with him a foot away, and he couldn't pull away because the leash was pinched around my leg. While he was thrashing I would put the harness on. After a few months, he allowed me to set the harness on the floor and put his feet into it (he still wont step into it). A lot of treats along the way too, he's just stubborn.

    I also use the Easy Leader harness by Premier and really like it. I can put it over Nemos head and then clip it under his chest. He doesn't mind it going on too much, but once it is on he's good to go.

    Sometimes dogs have to deal with things they hate, just like children.


    P.S. In another 12-18 months he should have you wanting to pull your hair out less.
  • scarletscarlet
    edited November -1
    This is yours and ours venting haven, especially in regards to the little Shiba attitudes and their reactions and actions. I hope you can take all the 'refused' harnesses back for refunds?

    I too have gone through about 3-4 and Jake still really doesn't like the 4th one. He prefers his collar but I'm sure it's just because after 6 months of it being around his neck, he's just kinda accepted it.
  • asian.sapphireasian.sapphire
    edited November -1
    I keep threatening to trade my dog in for a monkey and two chickens and maybe a goat (not seriously of course). Kimi hated the leash, and she didn't like anything on her. One time I left her harness on her and it was in pieces. Another time she managed to somehow get her collar off and chew that. I won't mention the numerous leashes she's chewed in half.

    After months of working with her (she had a lot of catching up to do), I got a routine down, and now she understands. No chewing on the leash, collar, or harness. If she wants a walk outside of the yard, she has to be on a leash. If she is going for a ride, she gets the harness put on her and the seatbelt thingie clipped to her harness. If we go camping or hiking, she gets her "special" harness--still clipable to the seatbelt device... she puts up less of a fight when that thing comes out... lets just say that she will sit wherever I put that thing on her until it's time to go. It's all about the good/positive.

    Like brandon says, stick with a harness (that fits comfortably), and let Ryu know that you won't give in. Set a routine. Sometimes you gotta be more stubborn than the dog.

    Good luck.
  • RyuRyu
    edited November -1
    You guys are totally right. I'm just going to stick with the Lupine and make him wear it. Although it is a little big so I might get a better fitting one when this one wears out. I took him to the park this morning and left it on (I usually only make him wear it in the car or if we're hiking) and he forgot about it after awhile. Although, I do have to say that he is MUCH more mellow with it on....

    Thanks for letting me vent! :-D
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    That's part of what we're here for! :-)
  • scarletscarlet
    edited November -1
    lolololol Asian, too funny.... A monkey, I've always wanted a monkey. My mother use to tell me "you're monkey enough".

    I think I'll make Jake put that harness back on, although our walk this morning, after a day at day camp yesterday, he didn't pull one time. It was almost like he accepted me as pack leader lololol. I've loved having a puppy but am so ready for some mature grown-up time from my little baby!
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Elaine: I hate to break it to you, but Jake is a Shiba. You'll get grown-up time with him, but its unclear if it will be mature grown-up time. ;-)
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    LOL!
  • scarletscarlet
    edited November -1
    Now you tell me Dave. Fine, I'm stuck with a child for eternity, alrighty then.

    What are you laughing at Jazz's slave?
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    There are some things I'm glad I didn't have to go through with Jazz - while the puppyness is cute, getting a mature dog can be kind of cool - I think it's definitely less frustrating!
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited November -1
    Too funny....the frozen statue thing, so typical when Shibas don't like something on them. (LOL) We had gotten mushers boots for our dog because of ice, thinking it would stop the cuts during a bad winter storm here. Well our shiba girl got indignant and froze up in disgust and then within minutes the the items went flying off of each foot. We finally went with mushers wax. Pick you battles wisely.

    **************
    Yeah don't give up on the leash and collar thing though....the last thing you want is an escape if there is an improper fitting or your Shiba feigns how constricted it is only to give you a burst of acrobatics that allows her to contort out of the restraint. (LOL) Work out adjustments in a fenced area first.

    ************
    Loved the pictures of Jazz. We try to tell folks looking for dogs through rescue that an adult can be way easier. Yeah it is nice not have to work through puppy issues which takes a lot of progressive work in a short window of time to get all in order. That is why puppies are so darn cute.... Otherwise you would want to brain them given all the antics and drama on some. : ) Even in maturity they have that youthful side or occasional regression that can take you by surprise to keep you on your toes.

    Snf
  • HeidiHeidi
    edited November -1
    I'm glad the harness is working out better for you. Tojo hates harnesses. When he was still really young and I had just had Isaac, sometimes I'd put the harness on him just so that he'd settle down, especially when I was trying to feed Isaac and Tojo did everything he could to get my attention.
  • jakkiharejakkihare
    edited November -1
    I got a good one for Leo, its a nice electric blue colour and one part goes on like a collar and the other around his body very easy to put on he hasnt been out in it yet as Leo not had his vax but he didnt seem to mind it too much when i put it on him in the house for a while..http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DOG-PUPPY-HARNESS-medium-GIRTH-20-32-BRAND-NEW-BLUE_W0QQitemZ160249419507QQihZ006QQcategoryZ66783QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Pam! I was updated my blog and just saw your comment! Thanks!

    How is the harness issue coming along? Is the Lupine working out for you??
  • RyuRyu
    edited November -1
    Well, it's going to have to work :-) It's really just a pain getting it on but after he realizes that it's on, then he's usually OK now. At least I can get him walking now! He used to just freeze like a statue and eventually lie down. He's getting better! :-)
  • scarletscarlet
    edited November -1
    I think Ryu will accept the harness when you do :-P Very handsome hiking shots.
  • RyuRyu
    edited November -1
    Thanks scarlet!! :-)
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