So a couple of weeks ago I had Oakley out on his leash and collar trying to work on loose leash. Being the stubborn husky he is he kept tryin to back out of the collar, stopping and refusing to walk. Out of fear of injuring his neck I refused to tug his leash. Then I had the idea to make him a harness. The only available material I had at the time was a bunch of 550 para cord. Having made survival bracelets in the past I decided to try and make a harness. After a few hours And quite a few burns. I had succeeded. The difference between collar an leash is astounding. He reacts a lot better to a harness. I will post some pictures here later today. Let me know what you guys think. Looking for some input to make the harness better.

The harness currently has a piece that goes where a collar would normally go, a piece that wraps his midsection just behind the shoulders. Both pieces are connected together by three links that sit just behind each shoulder blade and one centered on his collar bone going underneath him. The two pieces behind his shoulder blades are connected with a link as well and this is where the leash clips into. If anyone has any ideas to make it better please shoot them at me.

Looking forward to seeing pictures.. Would be intrested in detail pictures of how you did it..

I agree! I want to see pics.

Neither one of my dogs have harnesses now (they used too) but with all the hiking were doing lately, we really need to get some again. They help a ton especially when you have multiple dogs pulling on you.

Hiking and trails were what motivated me to make mine the way I did. In the event that say Oakley were to slide down a steep grade or god forbid off a cliff it would catch him under his legs a lot like a search and rescue harness would without choking him or injuring him. Much like how you would pick up a puppy or even a baby. With the inherent strength of 550 cord I won't have to worry about the harness breaking on him and him getting injured. And if you were to say get lost or stranded you could easily undo the belly band and have about 30-40 feet of 550 at your disposal. I will be sure to post some pictures when I get off work.

I didn't even think about that, but you're right. It would be a lot easier to help save them. Especially with my boys who like to "live on the edge" and always like to test boundaries.

What a great idea, I love 550 cord, it practically keeps my Jeeps soft top from coming apart! Can't wait to see pics!

Better make an appt. with your patent lawyer.

I personally like harnesses better because I don't like that if I need Ezio to move I have to pull his neck, but it's the only thing that works right now. Every time I put a harness on him it's like he thinks I'm a sled that needs to be dragged along our walk. With a collar? He's almost an angel.

I'd like to see pictures of it too! Interesting.

Here is the H link I was talking about. The link parralel to the collar is where the leash will clip in


Here is the left profile view showing the belly band behind the leg.


Here are the polymer slide buckles I had mentioned. Had to steal them off an old camelbak


Here is the chest link that runs along his breast plate so the weight is put on the shoulders.


Here is the collar and and chest link togeter.



Len I have toyed with the thought and think I may try but I am not going to hold my breath. And thats the thing about 550 cord. Its cheap and readily available in all sorts of colors. Plus it has no problem holding a pulling husky or god forbid a dangeling husky.

I would look into making something more "chest plate" to distribute the weight a little more across the front of the chest instead of around the shoulders/neck. You'll notice almost all commercial harnesses neck loop come down lower on the chest instead of up tight around the neck like yours is (or seems to be). You really need to get the weight distributed across the chest and not on the shoulders/neck. You might want to check out the Ruffwear Doubleback, it includes back leg straps incase of a fall/suspension for belaying. Far safer that only wrapping around the front of the dog.

More like these commercial harnesses:

Adding a weight distribution system is the next thing I going to be doing. Since Oakley is growing so fast I will be making another one here shortly. I will try and get that part of the design. It's almost an evolving design. Good points though. Thanks for the advice.