Non-irritating harness or harness cover suggestions for a dog?

[tabula_rashah]

I have a Pittie/ Lab mix who is mostly white and has super sensitive skin (big surprise there right?) . He wears his harness a lot- between hiking and going to work and the barn with me every day. Even though his harness is super soft and breathable, he tends to get some irritation on his belly especially. I’ve been trying to find one with like a shearling lining or maybe like a sheepskin cover (kinda like halter fleecies). Do they make something like this? Or any other suggestions?

PS (because I’m sure this will come up)- he’s a good boy and can just have his leash on his collar at home, but we’re next to a busy highway at work and we hike in a lot of remote areas and I like the security of having a full harness on

Pic of the good boy and his brother for tax

[endlessclimb]

If he’s a good boy, have you thought about a martingale collar? That would give you the “can’t slip this” security, without needing the harness.

[tabula_rashah]

That’s a good idea for work and the barn. For hiking, I need to have the ability to help him up and down boulders etc- he’s not quite as good at rock scrambles as my more agile guy

[endlessclimb]

Got it. How about something like this? It’s a little froo froo, but just don’t tell him.

BEST PET SUPPLIES Voyager Plush Suede Dog Harness, Latte, Small - Chewy.com

[trubandloki]

OMG, both of them are so very cute!!!

Can you tell, is the issue where it rubs or just that the skin is annoyed because it is holding moisture between the harness and the skin?

[tabula_rashah]

Thank you-
I think it’s the breathable mesh part that slightly rubs/ irritates him.
When we first got him from the rescue and I took him to my vet- one of the first things she said to me was does he have skin issues yet

[tabula_rashah]

Thank you- I might have to give this one a try

[Bonnie2]

How about a halter fuzzy? I think you nailed it! They come in different sizes and diameters for different applications.

[mommy_peanut]

What kind of harness does he currently wear?
Does it fit correctly?
Have you tried a different style harness (if so, which ones)?
Not knowing what the ground is like where you are, could he be getting dirt/sand or moisture stuck between the harness & his skin?

Without knowing the answers to the above… things you could try.
A harness with wider strapping or a full belly piece.
Try a harness with a different strap configuration, that doesn’t ride over his belly area.
Non-neoprene padding.
Using an anti-chafing powder.

[tabula_rashah]

The current one is from Barkbay, it does fit well and is very adjustable. The other one I tried with similar results is by Ruffwear (I think that was the brand) and we’ve started with a no-pull one that is just awkward for regular use (and he doesn’t need it anyway). It does sometimes get wet but dirt/sand isn’t usually an issue and the irritation seems to be the same whether it’s wet or dry. The padding on his current one is similar to what the padding on my backpacking straps are like (IDK if that is helpful or not). I would be leery of putting any type of powder on him because he’d probably try and eat it lol. Here’s a photo of their harnesses (he’s the one in the orange one). I’m thinking that @Bonnie2 might have the right idea to adjust a piece of sheepskin from my horse stuff and see it that helps. It did help this winter that he wore a puffy coat under the harness

[trubandloki]

I wonder if leather would work well for him?

[Simkie]

Maybe putting a shirt on him, under the harness, is worth a shot?

[mommy_peanut]

Going of what @Simkie suggested.
They do make tight fitting onesies, sort of like a wet suit for dogs. Something like that might help.

[Cammie]

My friend had a fleece-lined harness but doesn’t remember what brand. It seemed to work pretty well although if the dog was in muddy or sandy areas the fleece picked up a lot of crud and it could potentially rub from that. Seemed to wash pretty well.

There are different styles on Amazon-

Amazon.com : Didog Soft Flannel Padded Dog Vest Harness, Escape Proof/Quick Fit...

Amazon.com : ActiveDogs No Pull Dog Harness - Fleece Lined Easy Walk Dog Harness...

[luvmyhackney]

Maybe something like this:
https://activedogs.com/reflective-sheepskin-lined-leather-harness?

[GreyDes]

I have this for our one Jack Russell who decided the Ruffwear harness just didn’t work for her

Nude Aviator Adjustable Neck Harness

It’s slightly less easy to clip, but she’s noticeably happier with a fuzzy harness.

[anonevent]

They’re so cute!

The 2 Hounds Freedom harness is velvet lined on the undercarriage area. It is my go-to harness. Very secure and highly adjustable. Front and back leash clips. *

I’m sure you could have moleskin or a washable velvety material sewn into his existing harness though.

*I have a sensitive skinned house hippo too

[trubandloki]

@anonevent

They’re so cute!

The 2 Hounds Freedom harness is velvet lined on the undercarriage area. It is my go-to harness. Very secure and highly adjustable. Front and back leash clips. *

I’m sure you could have moleskin or a washable velvety material sewn into his existing harness though.

*I have a sensitive skinned house hippo too

Those look interesting.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Those are the only harnesses that I use, and I recommend them to all of my dog students – only use the front attachment for leash walking and training, the back attachment is also helpful if you have to lift the dog for some reason.

I have whippets and they have literally no hair on their chests and bellies! The belly strap on the freedom harness is a nice soft velvet material and it doesn’t chafe - you can also use the little fleece covers on the straps, that’s what I did when my whippet was a young pup.

[Pico_Banana]

I love the 2 Hounds Freedom harness. The velvet is very comfy and the design is really smart.