HandicappedPets.Com
10 Northern Blvd, Suite 7
Amherst, NH 03031
Phone US & Canada
(888) 811-7387
Outside the US
(603) 577-8854
Fax (603) 584-9349
Hours:
Monday: 9AM - 5PM EST
Tues-Fri: 9AM - 8PM EST
Rear Support Dog Harness
The design and construction of the harness provide the balance and support necessary for your pet to lead a happier, healthier, cleaner life. Use of the harness can also help minimize your backstrain from lifting and carrying heavy animals.
When fitted properly, male and female dogs can urinate freely in the harness. Harness can be cut if extra room is needed. Please see return policy.
Watch a video of a dog walking in a rear harness.
Think you might need a Dog Wheelchair in the future? Our Wheelchair-compatible lifting harness is made to clip in to the Walkin Wheels Cart, saving you the cost of a wheelchair harness. Read More...
XS-$32.00
S-$35.00
M-$48.00
ML-$60.00
L-$68.00
XL-$75.00
Movie shows you how to measure your dog, How to put on a harness.
XS-$32.00
S-$35.00
M-$48.00
ML-$60.00
L-$68.00
XL-$75.00
For complete Information and a video on how ro measure and use, see Rear Dog Support.
A and C measure the circumference of the abdomen (or chest) directly in front of the back legs (or behind the front legs). B and D measure the circumference of the leg at the point where it meets the body.
This Washable Neoprene Dog Harness is designed to fit both male and female pets. Please discuss the use of this product with your veterinarian. If you are unsure of how to use the harness properly, their assistance is recommended for the safety and comfort of your pet. Your pet should be able to urinate with ease, if not, please verify your measurements and consult your veterinarian. Harness may also be cut for extra comfort.
Handles (All Harnesses)
Handles are not adjustable due to safety concerns. Each size comes with a set handle length,
as follows:
S,XS - 21" handle.
M - 15" handle.
XL,L,ML - 12" handle.
Back Harness
Front Harness
SIZE
A
Abdomen
B
Back Leg
C
Chest
D
Front Leg
$32
XSMALL
9"-15"
3"-6"
8"-15"
3"-4"
$35
SMALL
10"-16"
3"-8"
9"-18"
3"-5"
$48
MED
15"-21"
6"-12"
18"-25"
6"-8"
$60
MED LG
20"-29"
11"-15"
24"-30"
8"-10"
$68
LARGE
24"-31"
14"-17"
28"-33"
9"-12"
$75
XLG
31"-35"
16"-19"
31"-38"
11"-14"
A and B are neded for a back harness, C and D for a front harness.
When trying on a garmet for the first time, please put a tee shirt on under the garment so that, if you need to exchange it for a different size it will be free of stains or hair and we can give you full credit for the exchange.
Testimonials
December 2008.
I just wanted to write and thank-you so much for being there for me and Wally. I received my order this past week and am very pleased with it. My 15 year old companion has improved greatly within these past few days. Wally is a retriever cross and I was getting very concerned that his time with me was coming to an end. He had hip dysplasia as a pup. I had both femur balls removed. One when he was 9 months old and the other at 1 and a half years old. He has very little strength in his hips now and due to his size I was having difficulty getting him up and outside.
Wally is now going out more he is appetite has now greatly improved. Wally doesn't seem to mind the harness. The harness remains on him so I can help support him wherever he wants to go. His comfort has greatly improved too.
As for me, it is much easier to care for him.
This is Wally three months later. His harness continues to be a major asset to his quality of life. I am sure if all goes well with his health, I will continue to gain time with him. He can no longer walk without the harness but is quite comfortable and has adapted to his disability very well. My veterinarian saw him last month and noticed a "wonderful" improvement with his overall health.
Thanks so much for being available to Wally and me!! The harness has also improved my ability to care for him. He is 60lbs and was getting difficult to care for until the harness arrived. Needless to say my quality of live improved too.
Patricia Craig
Our five year old golden retriever lost the use of his back legs about a week ago (possible embolism). we needed a harness right away so we went to our local pet store and bought one. You had to take it off him in order for him to do his business...not fun, especially for him. Our vet reccommended this site and we ordered one that doesn't interfere with him doing his duty. it works great. What a difference!. We hope not to have to get him a cart but if we do we will be back. thank you!!!
Bruce & Paulette, Vermont
Thanks for shipping overnight! Package arrived at 10:20 AM today as advertised. Product (Walkabelly Harness) is even better quality than I imagined. Thank you very much for your excellent service and superior product. - Bill Brown Littleton, CO 80130
Dear HandicappedPets.com The harness for Chewbacca showed up promptly and was put to immediate use. We can walk again!
- Many Thanks, Ann
Getting a heavy dog in the car
Posted By: CarolC
Date: Thursday, 12 May 2005, at 7:54 p.m.
My 62-lb senior dog cannot jump into the back seat of the car from the driveway. I can still get him into the car by parking with the wheels against the curb and having him climb in the back on that side. If I parked in the driveway, he would have to hop an extra 9" or 10", but parking next to the curb gives him a shorter hop. HOWEVER....we are still stuck when we can't park next to a curb.
At the vet, they have to lift him in for me because it's a parking lot. THEREFORE, I have decided that if I have to, I am going to REMOVE THE BACK SEAT FROM THE CAR. I don't care what it looks like. If he stands at the open door of the car, he can raise a front paw high enough to place it on the floor of the back seat, he just can't raise it high enough to place it on the seat itself. Therefore, he could jump in onto the floor if he wasn't so wide in the shoulders, but he doesn't fit because he gets squeezed by the edge of the seat.
I will take out the seat, lay a blanket back there, put a cedar dog bed or something comfortable for him to lie on, and still be able to buckle him in because the seat belts will still be there. Yes, the car will look odd. Yes, I'll have to store the seat somewhere. I DON'T CARE! I'll make it look as cute as possible.
Nobody ever rides back there except the dog anyway! Maybe I can even carpet the area where the seat was, depending on how bumpy it is.
Also, I finally figured out that the Back Harness you see on the Harnesses page of this website, the one that seemed "weird" because of the loop on the rear of it, is really a very smart thing. Looking at it in the picture below, it would be the very best harness for loading a dog into a car. It would be better than the kind with suitcase handles. You wouldn't have to lean into the car to load the dog.
FAQ'S
Q. Is the rear harness just for dogs?
A. The harness works with any animal that needs a little extra support.
Q. My dog is reluctant to let me put on the harness. What should I do?
A. If you feel a dog is being "emotional" about this, the harness should be put on when introducing their favorite things, like food or tennis ball. Introduce the harness during a quiet time, while you are stroking or petting the dog... perhaps during a massage. If the dog resists consistently, stop.
Consider trying a WalkaBelly first. This will get the animal used to the idea of being helped.
If you need all the products, front harness, rear harness and dog boots, put only one product on at a time and get them used to it slowly.
Remember, they don't wear clothes, (unless they are poodles), and their handicap has given them extreme sensitivities to balance, the slightest change upsets their balance and can subsequently "freak them out".
Some people use the rear harness as well as a leash. This is especially important as the animal is beginning to get used to the harness. This prevents the dog from trying to 'walk out' of the rear harness. Also shown here is another leash, tied to the rear handles, to make a 'handle extension.' Use this technique if it more comfortable for you.
Q. Can animals urinate and defecate with the harness on? A. Yes. They are designed to allow this conveniently and comfortably for almost all breeds of dogs.
Q. No matter which size I use for my female, or which way I turn the rear harness - she still managers to pee on it. Any suggestions? - I'm thinking of cutting a bigger whole in the back and re-stitching it - but I thought I would ask you first. A.Every dog has a varied anatomy, it is impossible to know them all. I often recommend a slight remodeling to make the best of the peeing dilemma. The material cuts back well. Sew down the edges to prevent any thread from undoing. Always do the remodeling with the product off the dog.
Q. How long are the handle straps? Am I going to have to bend down while I'm walking the animal?
A.21"small (from leg hole to top of strap)
15" medium
12" MediumLarge
10" Large and XtraLarge
Normally, you should be able to walk comfortably holding the strap. Sometimes people will tie a leash to the handles to extend them further.
Q. How many handle straps are there? A.XtraSmall, Small and Medium have 1 strap
MediumLarge, Large and XtraLarge have 2 straps
Q. It seems that the harness is not long enough as there is a lot of velcro showing when I wrap it around Zeek's body. How snug should it fit? I can't figure out which way to put the harness. There is a rounded area on one side. If I put that towards his chest, it interferes - it kind of bunches up against his armpits. If I place it near his belly, it covers up the tip if his private area.
A. You do not want the harness to obstruct your dogs ability to walk but if it is a little bunchy but still provides an assistance to your dogs walking then try to see if this will work out for you and your dog. The support lies forward into the chest for more balance in that direction. We can send you an extension piece to add additional wrap around for your harness.
The arch piece faces forward. I would not expect the product to bunch up under the armpit area according to your measurements yet all dogs body types will vary to some degree making this a possibility.
Q. Harness or Wheelchair? A. This Question should be posed to your vet. Some of the opinions I have heard vary. Some feel that a harness is a better choice where the animal is expected to recover. Using a wheelchair can cause the animal's unused muscles to become weak and atrophy. With a harness, the animal uses the muscles when he can. A harness can be a less expensive option.
Q. I have this little guy who needs to be mobile because although he is on cage rest, he needs to sit out in the sun a little and come out of the crate some so that while he is crated all day while I'm working he won't be so anxious. And stressed. When talking about a harness are you referring to a belt type of device fitted around the abdomen that I hold up while he's walking? If so I tried that and the problem is that I'm trying to get him to go potty outside on his own and he won't go while I'm right there, plus the belt type harness goes across his weenie preventing him from his "freedom." That's why I thought some wheels would be more convenient for him and me as his recovery, If he does recover, will be long time coming. He's dragging his rear end around now and straining to try to hold himself up so I hold him up so he's not straining his back more, but then again he won't urinate or defecate with me holding him.
A. Sounds like the harness would greatly help your dog with his need for cage rest and conservative walking periods. I can really understand your dogs need for privacy in bathroom situations yet maybe for now he would settle for you turning your head. Have a little talk with him about the current dilemma you are both in and how you are doing everything you can to help him keep his dignity.
But...........if he falls down while doing his business this could really hurt his overall recovery and the cart sounds too aggressive for a dog requiring cage rest. The overall healing process takes time and I try to have my clients understand that a re-training period has to take place in order to ease the pressures of the lifestyle change you and your pet are experiencing. Your pet feels your concerns and if you try to negotiate on some of these issues (such as turning your head) and work together new ways of doing things may prove to be successful.
p.s. and don't forget if he does do his business with this "new way" to give him a big steak! (or veggie burger if he's a vegetarian).
Q, The Difference between rear and front harnesses
A. rear harnesses have 2 handles for sizes ML, Large, and XLG.
rear harnessess size small and XS have one handle
Front harnesses, all sizes, have 2 handles.
Front harnesses have the word "FRONT" written on the inside neck. Open them up and have a look. also, fronts have smaller leg holes. the rear harnesses the hole takes up the whole width of product.
Q. We received the harness and I took it along to the vet. He says that this will be helpful during the 10 days my Cocker has her legs in casts so I have decided to keep it. Have one question, she has worn it a couple of times, the first time it fit fine -- now it wants to slip off her back side. What can I do to make it stay in place? Do you think taking a tuck in the width around would help?
A. I suggest crisscrossing the buckles and closing the velcro on the diagonal. A dart could help, but be careful too not sew a dart to tight.
This is Wally three months later. His harness continues to be a major asset to his quality of life. I am sure if all goes well with his health, I will continue to gain time with him. He can no longer walk without the harness but is quite comfortable and has adapted to his disability very well. My veterinarian saw him last month and noticed a "wonderful" improvement with his overall health.
At the vet, they have to lift him in for me because it's a parking lot. THEREFORE, I have decided that if I have to, I am going to REMOVE THE BACK SEAT FROM THE CAR. I don't care what it looks like. If he stands at the open door of the car, he can raise a front paw high enough to place it on the floor of the back seat, he just can't raise it high enough to place it on the seat itself. Therefore, he could jump in onto the floor if he wasn't so wide in the shoulders, but he doesn't fit because he gets squeezed by the edge of the seat. 
