Ez Walk Harness for Reactivity?

[NatashaL]

Hello,

I have a year and 9 month old Dane who is very reactive to people and other dogs on walks. We are working through it with some success but the thing that drives me most crazy is that everyone we meet wants to come meet Murph, despite his barks and lunging. I always walk him with a head collar, but a trainer suggested a basket muzzle, mostly to just deter people from coming toward him, but also just in case he gets too stressed on walks. I bought a basket muzzle that still allows me to use lots of treats on walks, but obviously I can't use the head collar with it. Has anyone used an Ez walk harness? I love the head collar but does the harness compare to it?
Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Natasha and Murph

[Hiraeth]

I like the freedom harness as opposed to the EZ walk.

I do think a muzzle will be a way to keep people away from your dog, but conditioning to a muzzle and a new harness will take weeks. Can you not stop people from approaching simply by saying "please don't approach him"?

Has your trainer recommended anything else to begin working on this behavior? Muzzles, head halters and harnesses are all tools, and should be used to manage, but shouldn't be seen as permanent solutions. Ideally you'd start working on the root cause of this behavior through counter conditioning and behavior modification work.

[NatashaL]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Yes, we are working tirelessly on counter conditioning and making people and other dogs positive things for him. We have done several reactive dog classes, scent detection classes to learn to keep his active mind busy, manners classes and conditioning training. The harness and muzzle are for those unpredictable situations we might run into where a child runs to him or something like that.

I will look into the freedom harness.

Thanks again

[Hiraeth]

Ah, that makes sense. I like Baskerville muzzles, too, in case you don't already have one!

[oshagcj914]

I've used a freedom no pull harness in the past and liked the fit. I've also had these muzzles recommended to me by a friend:

https://www.amazon.com/Dean-Tyler-Wi...DQ2S5WHHSBRWVB

[eyerolleddapiece]

have you considered getting a service dog in training, do not pet cover for your pup? Would deter people from petting, and leaves you with the freedom to choose the way you want to harness.

[oshagcj914]

have you considered getting a service dog in training, do not pet cover for your pup? Would deter people from petting, and leaves you with the freedom to choose the way you want to harness.

Please don't falsely represent your dog as a service dog just so people will leave you alone. That does nothing good for people with legitimate service dogs. There are vests or patches that simply say "in training" or "do not pet".