GB2460083A

GB2460083A - Dog harness

Info

Publication number: GB2460083A
Application number: GB0808933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ann Hemming
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-16
Filing date: 2008-05-16
Publication date: 2009-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-16
Also published as: GB0808933D0; GB2460083B

Abstract

A harness 10 for a dog comprises a strap 12 having a central portion 12a looped in use around the muzzle of the dog and two further portions 12b and 12c continuous with the looped portion extending in use around the dog's neck from a position under the dog's chin to behind the dog's ears. Means, preferably in the form of a second strap 14, are provided for attaching the harness to a leash such that tension in the leash acts to tighten the looped portion around the dog's muzzle and tightens the two further portions and around the dog's neck. The harness can also be attached to a separate collar via an additional tether 16.

Description

DOG HARNESS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a harness for a dog.

Background of the invention

An untrained dog tends to pull on its leash and, especially when the dog is large, keeping it under safe control can prove difficult.

To prevent a dog pulling on its leash, various dog halters have been designed to which the leash is attached.

Existing halters may can go into a dog's eyes, look like muzzles and/or twist the dog's head that could cause vertebral damage. Despite all of this suffering, a dog could still pull with its head tilted to one side.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a harness for a dog comprising a strap having a central portion to be looped when in use around the muzzle of the dog and two further portions continuous with the looped portion to extend when in use around the dog's neck from a position under the dog's chin to behind the dog's ears and means for attaching the harness to a leash in such a manner that tension in the leash acts to tighten the looped portion around the dog's muzzle and to tighten the two further portions around the dog's neck.

The problem with known halters was that the point of control was from under the chin. While horses should be led from under their chin, dogs are best led. from behind the neck. The present invention is predicated on the realisation that if the action of the bit-less bridle could stop a horse then a similar action applied to a dog would have the same effect.

The design of the harness of the present invention is relatively simple. It can be regarded as a figure of eight made from a strap of webbing with a ring at each end to form a loop. When the dog's leash is fitted to both of these rings, the harness tightens the halter on the dog's face.

This design gives control from the back of the dog's neck. When slight pressure is on the leash the harness applies pressure to the front of the dog's face. This is a clear command that the dog can easily understand as meaning "back" or no". The harness is thus used to issue a command and to give the dog an instant reward if it obeys. This is because as soon as the dog responds to a small tweak on the leash, it is rewarded with a slack leash.

Whilst the dog is in the "Close" or "at heel" position the leash is held slack. As soon the dog moves forward from the "close" or "heel" position, the leash automatically tightens slightly and the dog learns that it is not where it should be and returns to its correct position to reduce the pressure on its face.

There is preferably a buckle adjuster to one side to ensure a perfect fit.

It is possible for one of the further portions to be threaded through a ring on the free end of the other further portion and for it to carry the means for attachment to the leash.

It is preferred, however, to provide a separate second strap threaded through rings fitted to the free ends of both of the two further portions of the first strap and to attach the leash to the second strap.

To ensure that the harness does not come away in its entirety from the dog, it is convenient to thread the first strap through a ring and to provide a tether to anchor the latter ring to a separate collar fitted around the neck of the dog.

Preferred embodiments of the invention can offer the following advantages, namely: * No strength is required by the handler, making the harness ideal for dog owners with health issues such as arthritis, back and neck problems.

* The straps can be made from soft (yet very strong) webbing that can be made seam-free.

* There is no risk of causing vertebral damage because the head is not being twisted.

* The harness does not interfere with the eyes or mouth, the dog still has full mouth movement.

* It can be made available in colours that blend with the dog's coat so it doesn't look as if the dog is muzzled.

* It can help with dogs that tend to be aggressive towards other dogs. Because of the slight pressure on the front of the face, eye contact is lowered briefly when a command is given and this can defuse a confrontation with other dogs.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a view of a harness of the invention, and Figures 2 and 3 are views from one side and the rear, respectively, of the harness of Figure 1 when fitted over the head of a dog.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Figure 1 shows a harness 10 for a dog. The harness comprises a first strap 12, a second strap 14 and a tether 16.

The first strap made of seamless webbing is threaded twice through a metal ring 30 in a figure of eight to form a looped portion 12a continuous with two further portions 12b and 12c. The portion 12b is terminated in a metal ring 18 while the portion 12c, of which the length is adjustable by means of sliding buckle 20, has at its free end a metal ring 22. The webbing is preferably spliced onto itself at the joins with the brass fitting so there is no risk of chafing, this being important with show dogs. For the same reason, the buckle 20 should also be of the type that does not have a tongue.

The second strap 14 is threaded through the two metal rings 18 and 22. Two further metal rings 24 and 26 are provided on the free ends of the second strap 14 for attachment to the clip 40 (see Figures 2 and 3) of a leash that does not form part of the harness.

The tether 16 is permanently secured to the ring 30. At its free end, the tether carries a clip 28 for attachment to a separate collar 42 (see Figure 2) that, once again, does not form part of the harness.

The manner in which the harness of Figure 1 is fitted to a dog's head is shown in Figures 2 and 3. With the ring and the ioop 12a of the first strap 12 under the dog's chin and the second strap 14 over its muzzle, the harness is slipped over the dog's head. Next, the loop 12a is enlarged and pulled over the dog's muzzle. The tether 16 is next clipped onto the separate collar 42 and lastly the clip 40 of the leash is secured to the rings 24 and 26 on the ends of the second strap 14.

It can be seen, from Figure 3 in particular, that tension in the leash will have the effect of pulling the rings 24 and 26 together. This will in turn tension the first strap 12 causing the loop 12a to grip more tightly around the dog's muzzle and the portions 12b and 12c to grip more tightly around its neck. It is the squeezing of the muzzle that the dog finds unpleasant and the naturally tendency is for the dog to lower its head to relieve the tension. In this respect, the harness acts in a manner somewhat similar to a horse's bridle and is highly effective in restraining the dog without causing it any injury or pain.

It will be appreciated that alternative strap designs can be used to achieve the same effect of tightening a loose around the dog's muzzle as it tries to pull away. For example, one could pass the end of the portion 12c through the ring 24 of the portion 12b and clip 40 of the leash could then be attached directly to the ring on the end of the portion 12c. Such a construction would avoid the need for the second strap 14. However, the illustrated embodiment with the second strap 14 is preferred on account of its symmetry which avoids the risk of causing a neck injury to the dog by twisting its head.

The fact that the length of the first strap 12 is adjustable enables the same harness to be fitted to dogs with heads of different size and different shape.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A harness for a dog comprising a strap having a central portion to be looped when in use around the muzzle of the dog and two further portions continuous with the looped portion to extend when in use around the dog's neck from a position under the dog's chin to behind the dog's ears and means for attaching the harness to a leash in such a manner that tension in the leash acts to tighten the looped portion around the dog's muzzle and to tighten the two further portions around the dog's neck.
2. A harness as claimed in claim 1, wherein a separate second strap is threaded through rings fitted to the free ends of both of the two further portions of the first strap, the second strap carrying the means for attachment to the leash.
3. A harness as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the further portions is threaded through a ring on the free end of the other further portion and carries the means for attachment to the leash.
4. A harness as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first strap is threaded through a ring and a tether is provided to anchor the latter ring to a separate collar fitted around the neck of the dog.
5. A harness for a dog constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.