[NAGDU] Harness aversion

[S L Johnson]

Hello:

I am surprised that his trainer did not solve this problem before  you got 
him.  Anyway now you are stuck with it.  I would clip the leash to his 
collar first and gently guide his head through the harness while giving 
gentle praise and encouragement.  Once his head is in even if you did most 
of the work for him give plenty of excited praise and a nice treat.  It 
might help to use an extra special treat that he only gets when it is time 
to get into his harness.  Hold the treat out in front of him so he can see 
it and smell it while you are guiding his head into the harness. Make it a 
real celebration for getting into his harness.  Do not worry about getting 
him too excited before working for now while your goal is to get him into 
the harness.  It may mean that you have to start getting him ready about ten 
minutes earlier so he can calm down before working.  In the end it will 
gradually help him to realize that getting into his harness is no big deal. 
I did this when my last guide dog Tara lost her confidence for work and was 
reluctant to get into her harness.  It did not take long at all before she 
was happily wagging her tail and thrusting her curly golden head through 
that harness.  I always had the treats ready just in case she suffered 
another lack of interest in her harness.  Good luck getting your new pup 
dressed for work.

Sandra Johnson
SLJohnson25 at comcast.net

-----Original Message----- 
From: Yiska via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2018 2:56 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Yiska
Subject: [NAGDU] Harness aversion

Hello group

My dog hates putting his harness on and backs up. I have tried so far
treating him when his face is partially and all the way through the
harness. Any suggestions? He had this issue in class and my trainer's
suggestion was he will get used to it. Thanks
Yiska
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