We usually have Ray in a harness when we go out. This is to give us a little more control over him and, in the event that we do have to restrain him for any reason, it avoids potential pressure around his neck from his collar.
For those of you that have read his book*, you may remember that his harness almost certainly saved his life (Ref. Chapter 10).
Ray, not surprisingly, has never been particularly excited about wearing a harness, but he has usually been relatively co-operative.
His habit now though is that as soon as he sees me approaching with either his walking harness or his travel harness, he takes a walk around the house. It is virtually impossible to put the harness on him when he is walking away from me however, after a few minutes, he then stops and lets me pull the “top loop” over his head. With his walking harness, I pickup his right front leg and thread it through another loop and then reach over and pull the fastener up and click it into place. He will then quite happily go outside and wait for his leash to be attached.
This morning he took it to a new , and surprising level and with his travel harness
As expected, as soon as he saw me pick it up, he decided to go for a walk around the house. Once he had stopped, I pulled the “top loop” over his head. With his travel harness, I have to pick up each of his front legs and thread them through their respective harness loops which involves bending his leg at the “knee” to get it through. He has traditionally just let each front leg go loose so that I can do that.
After I had the travel harness over his head I reached down to his right front leg but, before I could pick it up and bend it, he did it for me and just planted it right through the appropriate loop! As soon as I reached for his left front leg, He did exactly the same. All I had to do was clip the straps together over his shoulders!
Why would he make a token gesture of resistance to wearing a harness, and then put his front legs in the appropriate loops himself? There is no answer of course …. that’s our Ray!
A New Direction Perhaps? 
Here is hoping this is a development that continues on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes really. It does make life so much easier! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another Ray mystery. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been thinking about a harness for Kali. She rarely pulls on the leash but it does seem more practical and dignified. I’m curious to see how she will react. My expectation is that she will be very compliant but I won’t know until I try it. Kloe does not like the harness we tried on her but she;s only a pup so we’ll see…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our problem was controlling 75lbs of reactive dog with the least discomfort to him. He always wears a Martingale collar but there is always the possibility that, in particularly active circumstances, he might just slip out of it. He cannot slip out of his harness. There is also the benefit of leash clip-on options – the collar? the harness? both the collar and harness together? As for initially getting him used to it? It’s just the standard progressive positive reinforcement method.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trial and error and then changing circumstances make for more trial and error. That’s the process and life we love with our dogs – we’re always learning. And Kali has always worn the Martingale too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Ray aims to confound you. Life would be dull without those surprises. I think he is incredibly smart and wants to please you at just right time. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He probably found some way of telling you to write that! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes he did, by ESP. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
He’s just messin’ with your head.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course he is. He knows it. We know it. So what’s next? 🙂
LikeLike
Yep, exactly what I think too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are a puzzler, R. It’s a good way to keep your parents on their toes. Keep them guessing. Well done.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup! I did good! Woof! Ray.
LikeLike
He puts up a good fight, til he realizes he is defeated and then gives in. 🙂 I do remember that Chapter in your book, Yes was VERY GOOD you had the harness on him!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really don’t think that he is giving in. He’s just being co-operative and, the next time I have something good to eat, he will give me “the eyes” that are saying “Remember how cooperative I was with my travel harness?”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, you DO know us!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lexi – I cannot possibly live with one of you “guys” for 3-1/2 years and not learn something! 🙂 Colin.
LikeLike
Isn’t your person silly, Ray? He knows how much we like routine and you know the routine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lexi. I’m much smarter than he gives me credit for. BOL! I’m much smarter than I give me credit for! Woof! Ray.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. and I understand that you make your trip around the house first because that is part of the routine, right? You are a smart boy, Ray, and have your person almost trained. I hope your Carol person is feeling better. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Lexi. She is feeling better and slowly becoming more mobile, but as for training them? It’s a forever job I think! Woof! Ray.
LikeLiked by 1 person