[nagdu] Cross-training a Guide to do Mobility work

[The Pawpower Pack]

Shanna, 
Bold lead design makes the best guide/ mobility harnesses from what I have read. 
The bridgeport mobility harnesses are very heavy and bulky.  The front chest pad has the same issue with the guide harness— that it is so large it inhibits the dog's front leg movement. 



 Rox and the kitchen Bitches: 
Mill'E, Laveau, Soleil
Pawpower4me at gmail.com
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 3, 2015, at 7:05 PM, Shanna Stichler via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Buddy,
> 
> Rox actually left a great review of the harness on their website. It might work for my needs if the fit is correct. I may look into Bridgeport, since while their guide dog harness design is pretty terrible, their mobility harnesses are well-made. I'm just trying to do all my research before investing in a harness to get the best possible design for me and my dog.
> 
> Shanna and Diamond
> 
> 
>> On 6/3/2015 6:39 PM, Buddy Brannan via nagdu wrote:
>> Rox can comment more on this harness, but this is the only one I can think of that might meet your need. Handle length will be shorter than you think, as the handle attaches at the back strap, not forward of it as in most American style harnesses.
>> http://www.activedogs.com/product/51/leather-guide-dog-harness/#.VW-Php-aDoy
>> 
>> --
>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>> Phone: 814-860-3194
>> Mobile: 814-431-0962
>> Email: buddy at brannan.name
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Jun 3, 2015, at 7:24 PM, Shanna Stichler via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hello all,
>>> 
>>> I have a lovely 3.5 year-old GSD that I trained myself as my working guide. She is very good at her job, but I have a progressive auto-immune disorder that will make it necessary for my dog to learn mobility work on top of guiding. The main thing I need is a harness that has a rigid guide handle along with the mobility handle. I know some people on this list have trained guide/mobility dogs before, so I'd love to know where you got your harnesses, or if anyone here would be willing to make one for some extra cash. If you don't feel comfortable giving out vender names on list, my e-mail address is
>>> slstich at gmail.com
>>> 
>>> I have done all the necessary health screenings to ensure Diamond can safely do weight-baring tasks, and she was cleared by an orthopedic specialist, so we're good to go in that respect. Right now, I plan to teach her to help me keep my balance going up and down stairs or on uneven terrain, to use her body to prevent me from falling, probably just by leaning into my left side, which typically is weaker, and to stand in a particular way to help ground me when I have vertigo episodes and become disoriented or unsteady.
>>> 
>>> Diamond already knows how to retrieve and brace for me along with doing some light counter-balance work. I'd love to know if others have trained tasks I haven't thought of yet, as well as any tips people have for making the training go as smoothly as possible since it is new for both of us.
>>> 
>>> Thanks for any input you all can give me.
>>> 
>>> Take care,
>>> Shanna and Diamond
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
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