| For those of us who own toy breeds, the frightening | | | | "breathe". 100% cotton, or soft, porous, |
| sounds of coughing, shallow breathing or in the | | | | semi-stretch, neoprene blends are great because |
| extreme, listening to your tiny Maltese honk like a | | | | they are machine washable and dry quickly. If leather |
| barnyard goose may be all too familiar. Most often | | | | is what you want, try rounded or "tubular" leather, |
| these symptoms result from an irritated, or in more | | | | and although it may be a bit more expensive, |
| severe cases, a collapsed trachea. Although these | | | | purchase a buttery soft leather dog harness. It will |
| symptoms are unnerving to those new dog owners | | | | last forever, continue to soften with age, and look |
| who are not familiar with this ailment, it is a fairly | | | | fabulous! |
| common one. Estimates range that between 20-40% | | | | LOVE WHAT YOU CHOOSE - If you love the |
| of toy breed dogs will develop some sort of tracheal | | | | harness you've chosen, you'll be motivated to help |
| disorder. The highest risk breeds are among our | | | | your dog learn to love it too. Like dog collars and |
| tiniest canine companions: Chihuahuas, Yorkshire | | | | other forms of dog clothing, dog harnesses come in |
| Terriers, Pomeranians, Italian Greyhounds, Maltese, | | | | a variety of themes - preppie, rocker, classic, biker, |
| and Toy Poodles. | | | | princess, surfer, athletic, camouflage, floral, patriotic, |
| If your little dog occasionally exhibits these | | | | modern, vintage, even psychedelic! They also come in |
| symptoms, you may notice that a tug on your dog's | | | | a standard adjustable style, a vest style, and a flexi |
| collar, while out for a walk, may suddenly bring them | | | | style (meaning the head goes through the neck |
| on. It is important to understand that tracheal | | | | opening with the strap going up and around the dog's |
| disorders are congenital. A tug on a collar rarely, if | | | | belly with a quick release mechanism on the side). For |
| ever will cause a collapsed trachea. However it can | | | | those of us who love to dress our little dogs, there's |
| certainly exacerbate an already existing problem or | | | | no need to strap a harness over a beautiful outfit. |
| turn a predisposition into the problem. Tugging on a | | | | Now, even the most adorable dog dresses, dog tee |
| collar can easily cause the irritation that leads to | | | | shirts and even little dog polo shirts are designed with |
| coughing, which in turn, further irritates the trachea. | | | | sturdy harnesses built right into them! |
| So, whether you are trying to curb the energy and | | | | HAVE FUN - Dogs are creatures of habit. As you |
| exuberance of your new puppy friend, take control | | | | have probably already experienced, new things are |
| of your dog in unsafe situations, or just take your | | | | approached with caution and often resistance. |
| pup out to answer nature's call, harnesses are the | | | | Introducing a harness into your dog's already |
| perfect choice for toy breed dogs. Designed to allow | | | | contented life may require some creativity and more |
| your dog to push with the chest rather than the | | | | than a little patience. Be prepared and keep your |
| throat, a properly fitted harness removes pressure | | | | sense of humor when attempting to harness your |
| from your tiny dog's sensitive trachea. Even for small | | | | dog for the first time. Beware of the classic canine |
| dogs without tracheal concerns, harnesses are best | | | | defensive move, when first approached with a |
| because they distribute pressure more evenly around | | | | harness, which is the rollover. Sometimes it happens |
| the dog's body, and are therefore much more | | | | before you even get close. More often it occurs just |
| comfortable. For "Houdini' hounds, harnesses provide | | | | when you think it was a breeze and you can snap |
| an escape proof alternative to the classic collar that | | | | that buckle, and in a flash your pup rolls over and |
| can sometimes allow your dog to pull its head back | | | | turns into dead weight. When you try to put your |
| through it. Toy breed dog collars should be worn to | | | | pup back on all fours, he suddenly develops "jelly |
| look wonderful and to hold tags only, not for leash | | | | legs"! Another maneuver to expect is the "I just |
| attachment. | | | | want to see what you're doing" twirl. It is next to |
| Once you have made the decision to shop for a | | | | impossible to put a harness on a dog while it is trying |
| harness, there are a myriad of harnesses to choose | | | | to watch what your hands are doing! (It is pretty |
| from. Unfortunately, for the first-time harness buyer, | | | | funny to watch someone try to, though.) |
| it's like trying to buy athletic underwear - for | | | | To avoid these challenges, we recommend that you |
| someone else! I have talked to numerous little dog | | | | lift and place your dog on a bench or table where |
| owners who can pull a harness that didn't work out | | | | you have more control over the action and your dog |
| of the back of the closet. Too often, what starts | | | | has less room to maneuver. Talking to your dog in |
| off with the best intentions, ends up being an | | | | your "good dog" voice also helps. But most of all |
| exercise in frustration. But, like anything you want to | | | | make each time you put on your dog's harness a |
| feel good about and have for a while, acquiring the | | | | prelude to a ride in the car, or a walk to the park, a |
| right harness takes some planning. | | | | cookie treat, or something really fun. If you make |
| At Moondoggie, Inc. we offer the following advice to | | | | the association between the harness and the |
| our toy breed customers: | | | | subsequent positive activity really clear, it won't take |
| TAKE 3 MEASUREMENTS - around your dog's neck, | | | | more than a few times before your dog is so happy |
| along the length of your dog's back (topline) from | | | | about wearing the harness, getting him to stop |
| where the collar lays to the base of your dog's tail, | | | | wiggling with excitement will be your only challenge! |
| and around the biggest part of your dog (girth) which | | | | Harnesses are essential for the health and safety of |
| is usually just behind the front legs. ADD 2 inches to | | | | your toy breed pup. Well worth the initial shenanigans |
| the girth measurement. | | | | that may be required to coax your baby into one, |
| THINK COMFORT - Avoid harnesses that have | | | | they can be fun and fashionable too! Once you start |
| pressure spots where they can rub and irritate your | | | | harness shopping, we would like to offer one final |
| dog's skin. Nylon and some unfinished leathers have a | | | | word of caution. Your dog may not be the only one |
| tendency to do that. Choose soft fabrics that | | | | that gets "hooked"! |