[NAGDU] harness rubbing

[Jody ianuzzi]

Hi Paula,

If you go to tax shop or feed store you might find a tube of sheepskin that is made to put on a halter to protect a horses nose from abrasion. You could use that same tube of sheepskin on the harness to protect your dogs side
JODY

To Boldly Go  🖖🏻 


thunderwalker321 at gmail.com 

"What's within you is stronger than what's in your way."  NO BARRIERS  Erik Weihenmayer

> On Jan 10, 2025, at 12:21 PM, Joy via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Paula,
> 
> I agree with Janell,
> 
> I have had labbies with sensitive skin. The three things I did is to put the
> harness in some warm water, or at least get it wet and rub some saddle soap
> into the leather. This helps soften as well as clean it. Then, I make sure
> to rinse the harness thoroughly to ensure that there is no residue on the
> leather. It is best, in my opinion to rub the leather with your hands, not a
> cloth because you can get the leather better conditioned.
> 
> 2. I would create a cushioning at that area of some soft and slightly
> cushioning material but not too thick or you can create a ridge to cause a
> different irritation.
> 
> Lastly, I would check the fit of the harness to ensure that the fit allow
> the harness to press comfortably across the front of the shoulders and so
> that, when you hold the handle you have stepped back and positioned your
> body to ensure a firm sense of tension and pull. I have a dog from the
> Seeing Eye so my dogs' harnesses have a martingale that comes between the
> front legs and has a loop in which the chest strap slides to help keep the
> harness positioned on their back. I also am one of those users who tends to
> walk too close to the rear-end of the dog so I have an offset harness. I
> have discovered through the years that it is easy to get into a habit of
> turning my body slightly toward the respective dog which changes the
> position and tension on the harness handle and the pull of the dog as well
> as their sight line.
> 4. As an additional suggestion, besides speaking to the vet and your
> respective school is to ensure that there is no open sore on the dog's skin.
> That, of course would require some attention.
> 
> Good luck to the two of you.    
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Janell via NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2025 8:43 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: nellie at culodge.com
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] harness rubbing
> 
> Hello,
> 
> Is the harness tight enough?  If not, it may be slipping there rubbing
> against her skin?  Or, I would try wrapping some fabric or something soft
> around the harness on those spots to see if that helps.  Hope you get it
> figured out, you don't want her to start associating the hot spots/pain with
> the harness, then she may not want to put it on.
> 
> Good luck, Dash and Janell
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of paula jordan via NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2025 8:40 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: paujor at roadrunner.com
> Subject: [NAGDU] harness rubbing
> 
> Hi all.  My lab seems to have sensitive skin and there is redness under both
> front armpits.  Does anyone have a suggestion to keep the harness from
> further irritating the area?  Thanks.
> 
> God bless!
> 
> Paula and the pups
> 
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