Chew Proof Dog Harness?

Does anyone know of a chew proof harness? We have an 8 month old pup and can't keep a harness on this dog. We have been through about 5 or 6 and he keeps chewing them. I don't know how he manages to get his teeth/mouth on it but he does. We have resorted to taking it off and having to struggle with him to put it on every time he needs to go outside. Not to mention the fact that it makes him hard to catch when he gets something he's not supposed to have. We currently have a Kong harness that has a pad under the chest which covers a good bit of the strap so he cant chew the part under his neck, however he still gets his mouth on the side. I need a harness that is made of chain or something he cant chew. Have found a chain collar but we are afraid he will be able to slip out of it. We have a runner in the back yard (no fence ) and like to hook him and let him run so we don't have to constantly watch him. Anyone else have similar issues? Any help is appreciated.

 

Put a normal collar on him?

 

Have you tried apple bitter? soak that sucker in it, he won't want it in his mouth.

 

I don't think chew proof exists...Even these chew proof metal dog beds are only warrantied for a year.

I would work more on recalling the dog (it might just save the dogs life on day) and then sit and paw commands to get the dog used to being handled and putting the harness on and off. I don't think I've ever left a harness on a pooch more than a few hours at a time.

 

Forgot to mention this, we have used the bitter spray but it only seems to work for a very short time. According to my step daughter (her dog) it doesn't work at all.

 

I haven't had a dog of my own in a bit, but it always cured the labs I used to run for bird hunting when they were young and getting into chewing fits. They'd retrieve training dummies with it on it and drop them at my feet.. I never really tried it as a long term solution, but it sure kept them from wanting to chew birds down the road.

 

Pup chewing... They'll chew on anything. So, best advice is to give them toys to chew on so they won't chew on stuff they shouldn't. In regard to the harness, the pups likely chewing on it because it's fun and also because it may bother him. Especially if it goes under his arms/legs... It's likely uncomfortable.

Get him a bunch of toys and use a regular collar, fitted snug (not tight) around his neck. Take the collar off at night and whenever you're not watching him (he could get his lower jaw stuck on it and croak).

Harness aren't good training tools at all. I suggest getting the book: "good owners, great dogs" too.

Use a choke collar for walks and other training and a regular collar for hanging out, etc. Harness are really only good for dogs that are working/pulling, etc... And a harness will tend to encourage them to pull because there's no negative feedback (choking).

Our 90+lb male Doberman was a handful as a pup (he still acts like one! Lol). We tried everything... And a harness sure wasn't any help. And I can attest to the fact NOTHING is chew proof. At about 6months old, my knucklehead chewed through, then tore off, an entire arm of a lazyboy type chair... Then dragged the 3/4 of remaining chair to the closed sliding door in an attempt to take it outside to finish it off. He also destroyed a metal and plastic electric table fan... Neighbors lab pup destroyed his airconditioning unit! Nothing is chew proof.

Best of luck and have fun with the little guy.

 

All the dogs I owned, choke collars for walking were not needed. In the beginning, just keep leash long enough that the dog is at your side, when he pulls turn the pup into your leg with out missing a step, he won't care for this, it may get a slight kick but it's harmless and he'll quickly learn to walk at your side. My experience is with labs and springer spaniels and it always worked and it worked fast.

 

Prong collar??? Just be careful make sure your dog is big enough and old enough to handle it. He won't be able to bite through it for sure. Once he grows out of the biting phase bring the regular collar back into play.

 

If he has chew toys and is still chewing the collar off it is because it is uncomfortable for him. Harnesses should really be for short term use anyways. I wouldn't soak a collar or harness in bitter spray either. Think of someone putting a necklace around your neck that smells and tastes like something you HATE and can't stand. There should be at least one chew toy in every room the dog may go in. When they start chewing on something they are not supposed to you tell them no IMMEDIATELY and give them something that is ok for them to chew on. When you tell a dog no and reward them for good behavior it must come right after what they are doing. If you show him a collar he chewed an hour ago and tell him no he has NO idea what you are talking about. If you tell him no right as he starts chewing he can correlate it. Puppies require as much attention as babies, and if you don't take the time now it will take twice as long to untrain bad habbits when they are full grown.

 

Instead of tying him outside alone, how about taking him for a walk, it would provide more exercise and mental stimulation which would decrease the need to chew which is usually due to the dog being bored, anxious and in your case uncomfortable...

Teach the dog to come and sit..valuable in sooo many ways..then you can put on and remove the harness/collar as needed. He shouldn't be wearing a harness when he's not being monitored and if he's still chewing inappropriately he shouldn't be given a chance to chew, constant supervisor or crating until he learns the proper things to chew on...which means teaching him what is appropriate to chew and not to chew. Surgery for an obstruction due to a pup chewing on something inappropriate is not cheap. Pups have to be taught everything, just like a baby/child.

Good Luck