The Truth about Harnesses.
Why your dog pulls on a lead.
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The overwhelming majority of people who own dogs first understand leads through films and cartoons. We all know the children classics with the Spaniels and the Dalmatians and their painted on collars, with the leads which clip on to match. And so it should be no surprise that most people start off with a flat collar, until they discover just how much their dogs pull - and how much pressure it puts on their dogs neck.
The modern day trend is that most owners switch to a harness, a tool which moves the point of control further down the body. At first it makes sense - the lead isn’t on the neck anymore. But contrary to what many marketing companies would have you believe - a harness actually enables pulling rather than discouraging it.
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This is why we put a harness on a sled dog or traditionally on mastiff’s which pulled carts - to distribute pressure across the strongest part of the body and enable them to use their most powerful muscles. A recent University of Illinois study demonstrated that a dog in a harness or on a flat collar can pull with up to 150% of their body weight. A great way of ‘harnessing’ your dogs pulling power, so to speak.
It’s why tracking dogs use harnesses, to encourage active, nose down behaviour. Harnesses are used in Mountain rescue to help dogs carry weight and pull people out of the snow. They’re even used in protection and police work as agitation devices to encourage more reactive behaviour. A harness has many uses - but having a calm, safe and stress free walk isn’t one of them.
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The solution is to move the lead up the neck, not down. This is the exact same reason why horses wear a bridle, and why we lead them from the very front of the mouth - because it enables us negate much of the strength of an animal far larger than us, and because it allows us to guide them and provide direction from the saddle. The same is true with our dogs - the higher up the lead is on the head, the less strength our dog has and the less we need to use too - all with the added benefit of helping to keep our dogs calm and safe beside us rather than rather than weaving about in front and pulling us over.
Why We love Figure 8.
There are so many different tools on the market for dogs - harnesses, flat collars, check collars and head halters - but of all of the options available, the lead we choose to use is a figure 8 - a simple design that has been around for hundreds of years.
We believe that a figure 8 is the best way to walk your dog - our Founder James works with dogs that have behavioural issues every day, and its the lead he recommends the most. So what makes this style so special?
Gentle, Safe & Comfortable Handling - for anyone, of any age.
We believe in a fail safe experience. A lead isn’t doing its job if your dog can pull you over when it gets excited, or sees a squirrel. Your safety shouldn’t be sacrificed, or reliant on your dogs ability to ‘behave’ to keep them under control - especially if that young dog or a rescue that is still learning the ropes. You shouldn’t be required to stand 6’4” and in the healthy prime of your life in order to confidently walk any dog bigger than a Jack Russell.
We’ve heard the comments from old school trainers about a big dog being ‘a man’s dog’ - and frankly we think that’s absolute tripe. We also know people who have been told they’re too old, or that medical and mobility issues mean they shouldn’t be allowed to own a larger dog if they can’t handle it. We think that’s a load of nonsense too. Everyone has the right to enjoy the breed and size of dog they love, and we know that a figure 8 can be the tool that empowers more people and their dogs to walk safely and freely.
Round Rope - for greater cushioning and comfort
Many fixed size head collars use a flat, nylon webbing - which can rub and cut up against your dogs skin behind the ears, and ride up your dogs nose towards the eyes. For high energy dogs in particular, these can cause serious discomfort and injury.
By comparison, the Soft rounded rope of our figure 8 lead significantly reduces pressure and rubbing. Our Willow & Porter leads have been designed with comfort in mind, using super soft Cotton, and our variable width, spongy inner rope core - to give your dog the most comfortable experience yet.
Easy fitting. One size fits most.
The Willow & Porter Figure 8 is a configuration style - not a fixed, stitched lead - meaning it is incredibly easy to take on and off as much as you like, so that you can go from safe at heel to complete freedom as quickly as possible.
It’s also easy to share and swap the leads between your dogs, or just pop over their head as a slip lead for that quick juggle to get them from the back door to the car boot. So you can get on with your day - and so can they.
Secure Leather Stoppers and antique brass tri - glides.
Our brass tri-glides have a simple, essential function - to make sure that your lead doesn’t over tighten if your dog is pulling. Combined with our Italian leather stoppers, it allows for a safe and secure fit that is reliably comfortable for everyone - regardless of whether you are using the lead as a figure 8, or a traditional slip lead.
Full, Free Rotational head movement - so your dog can take in the view.
Many head halters control from either under your dogs chin, or the side of the head - meaning that your dogs head ends up being pulled left and right, blocking free rotational head movement and stopping your dog from looking where they would like. This limitation on your dogs freedom can build frustration and increase stress - as we remove the ability for our dogs to fully assess their surroundings.
By comparison, the point of control on a figure 8 lead is the back of your dogs head, right in line with where the head joins the spine. This crucial difference in lead placement allows your dog full, free rotational movement of their head at all times - and in our experience dogs tend towards being much calmer when on a walk compared to using other head halters.
Extra long leads - so your dog can explore, even if they can’t be let off.
We know that not every dog is safe to be let off a lead. Whether its ropey recall, or the reality of living in an urban area - we know that everyone wants their dogs to have a good walk.
Our behaviourists leads are designed in an extra long 3m length, so that your dog can still get their nose down and do normal dog stuff, whilst you’re can feel confident and safe out in public.