Luna's favorite type of harness and why you could consider it too..

Woof Woof, welcome to my blog furiends. 2022 started for me with lots of walkies in the park and one impawtent tool for great walkies are comfy harnesses.  Therefore I would like to bark my opinion on dog harnesses. Are you ready?

First and foremost you should know that I had an shoulder injury in my younger years. Luckily  I recovered from it but it made my hooman reconsider recently what she could have done to help the healing process.

And that's where the harness choice pops in, it's such an important piece of equipment we dogs wear every single day (for more then an hour). We run, jump, turn and so much more so it should be comfy right?!

So my mama decided to do some research and after a while she realized that the harness I was wearing was actually restricting my movement. Now what kind of harness is then good?

Picking the right harness has a lot to do with the way your dog is build but overall the "Y or H shaped harnesses"' have shown to be the most comfy and they're also recommended by many Chiropractic professionals.  It makes sure that the forelimb can move freely back and forward and when the dog pulls hard on the leash it doesn't make any damage to the neck or other sensitive parts. Beside of the harness shape it is also very impawtent to have a look at how the harness fits your dog, not every Y or H type of harness is a good one. 

Some tips to check when picking a new harness:

- Is there room enough behind the forelimb and doesn't it sit too tight in the armpit?

-The middle of an Y harness sits on the chest bone, if you put your hand on the front of your dog you will feel a bone sticking out and that's also the point where the middle of your harness should sit.

-The shoulder front should be free, straps should not sit on top of the bone.

-The part between the forelimbs should be soft fabric and not too wide (otherwise it might rub the forelimbs)

-The second strap should be approximately 2-4 fingers behind the forelimb but make sure that the end of the harness doesn't go behind the last rib (it can not hang on the soft abdomen area)

- Are there any metal parts/buckles that hit while running? 

- What kind of material is the harness made from? lightweight fabric with plastic buckles or with metal buckles? In case your dog needs to run long distances (such as in canicross) lightweight options are better. 

If you have checked all the above this and your dog looks comfy you have found your new harness ✅

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that a harness is not a tool to teach your dog to stop pulling, the only way you can stop this is by training consistent with a professional to guide you. Also keep in mind that using tools such as the front ring of some harnesses might harm your dog because when they pull all the force comes on 1 side/leg.

Luna's current harness:

At the moment we are very happy with the ZeroDC Short harness, this harness is made for daily walks aswell for dogsports like canicross and fits Luna greatly. (Not sponsored) Each dog is different so always measure before purchasing online, we hope you find the pawfect harness too! 

Paw from Luna 🐾

which harness not to buy

ZeroDC Harness "short"
(not sponsored)

Me in my new pawfect harness
(lots of space behind my forelimb)

Dog backpack: why it is a must have!

Why is a good idea to buy a dog backpack?

Carrying a dog backpack gives your dog a job to do. Luna is more focused on me rather than the traffic or other dogs in the city. When hiking in the mountains she can carry her own water, foldable travel bowl and small emergency kit. 

I also have seen that other dogs stop pulling on the leash because they are busy with their "job". Another big benefit is that a weighted backpack can help anxious dogs. They start focusing more on balancing the added weight, sometimes this distraction in combination with the pressure of the bag can calm them down. 

Choosing the right backpack:

Make sure you take the exact measurements, because you will put weight later on in the backpack it needs to fit correctly. When the backpack is too big it will start sliding around, if it is too small the dog will have problem moving comfortably. Also check out that the shoulder can still move around freely. 

Pick a backpack with proper padding, with the extra weight there will come some pressure on the dog's chest and belly straps so make sure this are made with soft, durable materials. 

Another important feature is to choose a vibrant color, in case your dog runs further away during the hike it's easier to spot them. 

How to start using the backpack in daily life?

First of all check with your veterinarian if your dog is capable of carrying extra weight, it is not recommended to use backpacks on puppies, older dogs or dogs with existing health issues. You can still let them carry the backpack without weight inside if you want give them a little challenge. 

In the beginning you need to let your dog get used to walking with the backpack on. Personally I walked Luna a couple of weeks without the weight to make sure she is comfortable. The first sessions I rewarded her with treats and playing with her favorite toy. 

How much weight can you add?

Once your dog is used to carrying the backpack you can gradually increase the weight. For most dogs (with good fitness and condition) 10% to 12% of their body weight is a good starting point. 

This is +/- 1,5 kg for Luna (bodyweight 15kg) After you load the backpack check its weight on your scale!

What objects can you put to add weight?

Our backpack came with water sackets that you can fill until the same amount to make sure the backpack is balanced out. If you don't have this option you can just let your dog carry his/her toys, poopbags or small water bottles. Ensure that each side has the same amount of weight otherwise this can cause unbalanced muscle growth. 

How long can I let my dog walk with the backpack on? 

Generally a 15 minute walk with a weighted backpack is equal to a 30 minute walk without. (this is for a trained dogs in good condition) 

*This blog post is not sponsored by Ruffwear. This backpack was bought by my pawrents. 

Paw Luna🐾

MDR1 Multi-drug Resistance

What is the MDR1?

Multi-Drug Resistance 1 gene protects the brain by ensuring that any harmful chemical are transported AWAY from the brain.  This gene specifically codes for P-glycoprotein. If this specific gene is mutated, it will create a defective protein, and consequently, drugs will remain and build up in the brain to toxic levels. This dominant gene is inherited from the parents, whether the parent has two copies of the gene or only one copy. If neither parent has a copy of the mutated MDR1 gene, then the offspring will not have it either. 

Which breeds are affected?

Below is a list of breeds that are frequently affected by the MDR1 mutation, keep in mind that any mixed breeds you might find at the shelter with possible relation to the breeds in the list could also have the same problem.

Australian Shepherd

Border Collie

English Shepherd

Longhaired Whippet

McNab Shepherd

Old English Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog

Silken Windhound

Rough Collie

Smooth Collie

German Shepherd

American White Shepherd

English Shepherd

Attention! Even dogs that are unaffected by the MDR1 mutation may be exposed to toxic doses of this medication if they consume the feces of recently wormed cattle, horses, and sheep.

How can you find out if your dog has the MDR gen?

At the veterinary clinic your dog can be tested with either a cheek swab or a blood sample. The result you want to hear is Normal/Normal. 

If your dog gets this result you don’t have to worry about any drugs related to the MDR1 gene.

Normal/Mutant, or Mutant/Mutant should be considered sensitive to the drugs indicated in this list below:

Drugs that should be avoided: 

Acepromazine

Apomorphine

Butorphanol

Doramectin

Doxorubicin

Erythromycin

Ivermectin

Loperamide

Milbemycin

Moxidectin

Paclitaxel

Selamectin

Vinblastine

Vincristine

Vinorelbine

A common over the counter antidiarrheal (loperamide) is also a known substrate. 

ALWAYS discuss this matter with your veterinarian, in case your dog is not tested yet mention this so that your vet can assist you in the process. 

Paw Luna🐾