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Rear Harness
The purpose of a rear harness is to allow you to provide the extra support an animal might need to help him (or her) walk. It is like a piece of clothing that is worn by the dog, attached with clips and velcro, with a handle.
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.
See caretaker's comments: Using a rear harness to get a large dog into a car.
 
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, Vermon |
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.
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
Q. How do I put it on? What does it look like?
A. See rear Harness Instructions or WalkaBelly Instructions.
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.
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Help Dog & Cats Walk 
