Choosing the Ideal Dog Harness for Mantrailing Adventures

Embarking on Mantrailing adventures with your canine companion can be a thrilling experience, but you require the right equipment to ensure both safety and effectiveness. One crucial piece of gear that plays a pivotal role in this pursuit is the dog harness. In this blog post, we'll explore the qualities that make a harness suitable for mantrailing and highlight some of the best types available in the market.

The most important thing to remember is that whatever harness you choose or wherever you decide to get it from, be it ThatDog or Sporty Paws the harness should only be used for Mantrailing. Every time your dog see's that harness it knows it's about to start work.

Key Qualities of a Mantrailing Dog Harness:

Comfort and Freedom of Movement:

Mantrailing often involves navigating through various terrains, so it's essential that the harness provides comfort and allows your dog to move freely. Look for designs that distribute pressure evenly across the body without restricting natural movements.

Durability and Material:

Opt for harnesses made from durable materials, such as high-quality nylon or polyester, that can withstand the rigours of outdoor activities. Reinforced stitching and sturdy hardware are also important for longevity.

Adjustability:

A well-fitted harness is crucial for your dog's comfort and safety. Choose a harness with multiple points of adjustment to ensure a snug fit that doesn't chafe or rub against your dog's skin.

Handle for Control:

Mantrailing may require moments where you need to quickly control or guide your dog. A harness with a built-in handle on the back can be invaluable in such situations, offering a convenient way to manage your dog without compromising the trail.

Visibility Features:

Consider harnesses with reflective elements or bright colours to enhance visibility, especially if you plan on mantrailing in low-light conditions. This is essential for the safety of both you and your dog.

D Ring:

The D Ring (the part you attach your long lead to the harness) should always be at the rear of the harness on the dogs back, this reduces the amount of strain around the neck and chest area if the dogs starts to pull. Never use the attachment at the front of the harness, this is what makes it a 'none pull harness' and dogs will pull to get to the trail layer.

Long v Short Harness:

Sport harnesses are available in both long or short, the long style harness fits along the whole of the body and will usually finish at the base of the tail as where a short harness will finish midway along the dogs body.

We recommend the short style harness for mantrailing.

’Y’ Shaped Harness:

A ‘Y’ shaped harness will ensure that the dogs joints and airways are not restricted. We never allow a dog to trail using just the collar.

Hiking or Adventure Harness:

Harnesses specifically designed for outdoor activities often incorporate features like reinforced webbing, comfortable padding, and attachment points for additional gear and can be ideal for mantrailing.

Tracking Harness:

Some manufacturers offer harnesses specifically tailored for tracking or mantrailing. These harnesses are designed with the unique needs of scent-driven activities in mind, providing the right balance of comfort and control. JuliusK9 have developed a specific Mantrailing harness, having used this harness ourselves, we can fully recommend them.

Conclusion:

The harness is used as part of the starting ritual for your dog before it takes scent (you will learn more about this on your introduction to Mantrailing course) therefore it is highly recommended that the harness you invest in is only used for mantrailing, this will let you dog know that when they see this harness they are about to have fun.

Selecting the best harness for mantrailing involves considering your dog's size, behavior, and the specific demands of your outdoor adventures. Prioritise comfort, durability, and features that enhance control and visibility. By investing in a high-quality harness, you're not only ensuring your dog's safety but also maximising the enjoyment of your mantrailing experiences together.