When is a Front Harness Right?
If your dog is limping on their front leg, due to injury or a condition such as elbow dysplasia or arthritis, a front body harness will give them much-needed support. Or perhaps your dog is a front leg amputee and it’s now necessary to give the other leg a little extra support. It will relieve some of the strain on the remaining leg. Front leg harnesses are necessary when your dog is struggling with mobility and this is connected to their front legs.
How will a Front Harness Help?
Front body harnesses give you the ability to help your dog walk, with you taking some of their body weight so the front legs end up carrying less. It will help you stabilise your dog if they’re wobbly or off-balance when they're walking, or have a condition that is exacerbated by too much pressure on the leg. You taking some of the weight may also reduce their pain. A front body harness reduces the chance of your dog slipping, falling, or worsening their injury or condition.
How to Pick a Front Body Harness?
There are a few things to consider when choosing a front body harness. Firstly if your dog is an amputee the Walkabout Front Amputee Dog Harness is specifically designed for that. There is also a popular design for dogs with both front legs, the Walkabout Front Lift Walking Dog Harness which is comfortable enough to be worn for long periods of time, e.g. if your dog spends a lot of time resting during the day. This makes it a very convenient harness. It is possible to use the front only of the Help Em Up Harness. This has a well placed inbuilt handle and the option of additional straps for walking.
Read about elbow dysplasia, a condition that can affect a dog’s front legs.
