Harnesses for Dogs

Hey guys!  This is Nikki, Lead Veterinary Technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces.  Today let’s talk about harnesses, and when they can be useful.  First off, let’s go over the different types of harnesses, so that you are familiar with the options out there. 

Harnesses Options

There is a sling harness, which is simply something that goes underneath the entire body and has handles that you can hold on to.  This can be anything, from a towel, shopping bag that has been cut down, or something youbough on chewy.  A sling is helpful if there is any spinal issues or hip discomfort, in giving full lower back and hip support.  The downside to this sling is if you have a male dog, it will make it difficult to urinate outside.  There is also more pressure on the bladder, so try to be aware of giving your pup more bathroom breaks.

The next type is a loop type harness, that goes around the back legs, not underneath them, and connects to a harness by the back shoulders.  I prefer the help em up harness in this style, as there is a handle between the front shoulder blades, and the back hips.  You can also use this style with leg braces, and keep it on for easy use.  You simply lift the handle to help you dog stand up vs the sling harness you will need to lift your dog up and slide it underneath the belly.

Each harness has its own benefits.  If you have a dog that has a newly injured CCL or ACL, then initially it may be easier to use a sling to help them up and down until you can get a help em up type harness.  I would suggest an actual harness with handles for a CCL tear.  If your dog, however, has both back legs affected, and potentially the spine, I would suggest a sling type harness, to give them better pelvis support. 

Let us know if you have any questions about different types of harnesses!  You can contact us via our contact page or our Facebook Page.