Your safety harness may not hold your dog!
In the collar FAQ, I posted 2 photos, one showing the black double chest harness I've used to belay the dog(s):
http://www.mycorgi.com/forum/topics/some-info-about-collars
I tested this before a scary log crossing over a dangerous river. The log was about 7 ft. above the raging current. I wanted to make sure it would hold the dog in a vertical hang, like a rock climber's seat harness, on a short rope if he fell off the log.
It will NOT! I had it very tight on Al, lifted him slowly off the ground, and he slipped right out of it!
This was very surprising; that harness looked bombproof. This harness ties in at the back, just above the withers/shoulders.
Reasoning that stresses would be less if he was floating in the current, I belayed him on a long rope instead of a short rope. If you're just trying to make sure the dog doesn't wash downstream in a river, some of these harnesses can tie-in at the front (collarbone area).
Note that you could hurt your dog -- tweaking a shoulder or foreleg -- simply by doing this test. I took that risk. He slipped out unhurt.
Related: My sister witnessed a tragic dog fatality, a dog tied in a pickup truck bed on too long a leash; it fell off the tailgate and strangled.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Thanks for the update! We use special seatbelt harnesses, because with two I don't have room for crates.
Once Jack pulled a front paw out and then he was able to get loose; we looked in the rearview mirror to see a dog wandering on the backseat.
And Maddie chewed clear through one in no time. She has teeth like a box-cutter and I'm not sure your average dog would chew out of one, but she is very clever in her chewing. You can't leave a leash on her to drag around the house or she'll chew right through it in 5 minutes.
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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on
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We also have a seatbelt harness that Mr. Houdini just loves.
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Permalink Reply by Mary and Rosie on
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Wow! Thanks for the info. I think ruffwear makes harnesses for dogs that are supposed to be really good, they are made for dogs who hike and mountain-climb. It doesn't look like a dog could slip out of them, but then maybe they could. Here is the link;
http://www.ruffwear.com/Products/dog_harnesses
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Permalink Reply by David on
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Yes, Ruffwear makes good dog climbing harness for outdoor use, but it begs the question: if you need a climbing harness for your dog for extended period of time for safety and movement, do you really need to bring your dog with you?
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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I have the ruffwear webmaster harness, very well made! Depending on the size of your corgi, you may need to do some extra adjustment and stitching. I think the doubleback is the way to go, make sure you try it on for a great fit, you don't want your male corgi to pee on the straps and buckle.
The handle and stitching is well made, it makes carrying them over a log easier, sometimes you do need one hand to balance yourself and use the other to pick up your dog. The bright colours is easy to identify, there's also reflective material.
Most of the time we don't use the ruffwear harness on light trails.
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Thanks for the link. The yellow "Stow 'N Go" harness is NOT the same as the one I have, but the basic design is similar (2 loops, dorsal tie-in). The more elaborate ones would be too heavy for my purposes (backacking).
I put the harness on only briefly for a rare belay on a river crossing or steep snow slope. The dogs have never slipped or shown any hesitation or lack of confidence. They seem amazing sure-footed, but one worries.
My harness will rub a sore on the collarbone if left on for long periods.
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Permalink Reply by christy fry on
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You can buy specific repelling harness's for canine's there is a pretty serious dog supply store in hillsboro that sells these harness's. I've glanced at them when a friend was buying a wieght pull harness. This supply store also carries gps units for canines =
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