[gravymommy]

I see everyone posting pics of their babies in outfits or sweater or harness and I'm jealous. JuJuBe refuses to wear anything. We started her out in a harness (at 6 wks) but but the time she was 8 wks (and figuring out that she has a voice and some teeth) she started refusing to allow me to put it on her. It was to the point that she would have a total meltdown, completely losing control of herself while she snarled and bit me. I stubbornly would get the harness on her but it was ugly. I now just put a collar on her. She barely tolerates me putting that on her (the only time I take it off is bath time.)

She just seems to be real hinky about her neck. When I try to clip her leash on, if she isn't in the mood, she will snarl. And I can forget trying to put clothing on her.

Was I wrong when she was little getting into a power struggle with her? Other than the harness meltdown, she is reasonably tempered. She goes to strangers like at the ballpark when she gets passed around. Every once in a while, if the kids mess with her while she is sleeping, she will growl and let them know to back off. Otherwise, she is happy playing with us, trying to steal our food, or chewing on a bully bone.

I know others have stated that biting is a deal-breaker for them. I really don't tolerate it well either, but I'm wondering if some dogs just don't want stuff on their bodies (like some small kids will go berserk if you put stuff on them that they don't like.)

Just thought I would see if anyone else has this problem.

Thanks in advance.

Amy

 

[jesuschick]

One of mine hates clothes. Clothes are optional/accessory so it does not matter to me. She just does not ever wear them. No big deal.

Her harness is not optional. She has to wear it to be on a lead and she has to wear it to go in the car. She has learned that harness means bye-bye, ride, go...all good words. Now, the second we get them out they all flip out in the best way and almost fight to get theirs on first so that they are not forgotten!

I would link the harness to something good. Walks, car rides, etc. I would treat if you need to in order for her to link the harness to something positive if you need.

 

[theshanman97]

I see everyone posting pics of their babies in outfits or sweater or harness and I'm jealous. JuJuBe refuses to wear anything. We started her out in a harness (at 6 wks) but but the time she was 8 wks (and figuring out that she has a voice and some teeth) she started refusing to allow me to put it on her. It was to the point that she would have a total meltdown, completely losing control of herself while she snarled and bit me. I stubbornly would get the harness on her but it was ugly. I now just put a collar on her. She barely tolerates me putting that on her (the only time I take it off is bath time.)

She just seems to be real hinky about her neck. When I try to clip her leash on, if she isn't in the mood, she will snarl. And I can forget trying to put clothing on her.

Was I wrong when she was little getting into a power struggle with her? Other than the harness meltdown, she is reasonably tempered. She goes to strangers like at the ballpark when she gets passed around. Every once in a while, if the kids mess with her while she is sleeping, she will growl and let them know to back off. Otherwise, she is happy playing with us, trying to steal our food, or chewing on a bully bone.

I know others have stated that biting is a deal-breaker for them. I really don't tolerate it well either, but I'm wondering if some dogs just don't want stuff on their bodies (like some small kids will go berserk if you put stuff on them that they don't like.)

Just thought I would see if anyone else has this problem.

Thanks in advance.

Amy

hi! can i say something before , PLEASE dont get rid of her for this! it personally annoys me when people give a way dogs because of a easily fixable problem! can i suggest maybe a training class? it mite be cause shes nervous or just stubborn! LOL with the clothes tillie was the same but they get used to it! just do it REALLY gently i mean like no touching her! lol if you move the clothing not her! also dont do collars! there not safe on tiny dogs! especially not chis! harnesses are needed! , she will just have to learn some how! maybe have a chew / toy on hand if she starts biting to say "no biting!" in a stern voice (no shouting that makes it worse) and then put the toy near her mouth.

Sorry i cant provide that good info its just im still a novice at this! LOL i hope and am 100% sure someone else can help better than me! x good luck!

 

[Bandit]

Bandit is not fond of clothes, or his harness. But he has learned to tolerate both as I only put them on him when I am going to take him out of the yard, on in the car. He has finally gotten to the point that he will lay down if I pull out his harness or jacket. And a little coat or sweater is all I put on him, and only because it gets cold here.

How old is JuJuBe? Bandit is 7 months and only relaxed about the harness in the last couple of weeks.

 

[Chihuahuasloveme]

I would try maybe getting the harness on her and then maybe leaving it on 24/7 or if u prefer the collar leaving it on too 24:7 ninja HATES clothes hell let me out them on but then immediately runs around on circles and rolls around in distress I just put a winter coat on him at the door and take it off when he comes in unless we're going in the car then hell tolerate it until we get back. It took baby awhile when she was young to get used to putting the shirt over her head she hated anything over the head now she bows her head to lt me put it on idk every dog is diff

 

[Chihuahuasloveme]

What about a step in harness that doesn't go over her head?

 

[gravymommy]

Thanks for all your help. TheShznman - I'm not even thinking about getting rid of her. Someone will have to pry her out of cold, dead hand.

Question: You all are saying put the harness on, so do I force it on her? I'm not afraid of bleeding (and I am serious about the blood) but I don't want to harm her mentally (I would be very careful with her physically)? She absolutely loses control when you go near her neck with a collar/clothing/etc. I'm talking bared teeth, contortions and very hard biting (because at this point it's like life or death to her). It almost seems like at this point she is acting out of instinct due to how visceral the situation becomes.

I just don't want to further harm the situation. Other than that problem, she is a total sweetheart.

T I A

 

[elaina]

The step in harness doesnt go near her neck at all... look up Puppia step in harness.
when you are holding her, maybe try slipping the step in harness on , then giving her some kind of special treat

 

[LostLakeLua]

There are a couple ways to handle this. You can try slowly getting her used to the harness, with lots of treats, and praise. But I'm guessing if she's already had such a negative experience with it, it won't do much good. If she's biting you though; that is the biggest concern moreso than the clothes. If your dog respects and trusts you it will NOT be biting you or snarling. I would suggest strongly doing some research on the NILF training to help establish a more peaceful balance.

As far as the harness; I would find a good ippupyone or puppia style that fits snug. And put it on her. At the FIRST sign of biting, or growling, say 'Settle!" in a deep firm voice. She needs to know that it is not acceptable behavior. And once the harness is on; provided it's fit well and isn't too loose or tight; leave it on her. Let her realize it is something she needs to get used to. She'll cope. So yeah, I agree with Sherri- put it on and leave it on 24/7 until she acts normal with it on. Definitely though; while many dogs do not enjoy wearing clothes at first; snarling and attacking is NOT a good thing! What kind of freedom does she have otherwise?? Again I think NIFL training might be your best bet!

 

[Finn]

I guess I'm lucky that all of mine associate the harness with fun, so they let me put it on.

 

[gravymommy]

I don't think it is a trust or respect issue so much as her neck area is her hot button. I can put my fingers in her mouth to inspect teeth all day long, clean her ears, do the toe nails (she resists a little but only by withdrawing her foot, no snarls, etc.), bathe her, etc and she is fine with it. But you go near her neck and she wigs out. I am going to try the treat suggestion when I can get a good harness for her. How much more do you think she will grow (she is 25 wks and 3lbs 2 oz) so I can judge what size to get or wait until she is done growing to get a good one? Oh forgot to add, that when she loses it, she does the high pitched screaming in between trying to stop the process.

I know that it's a big issue but I don't want to paint her as an out-of-control, wild child. She walks on her leash nicely, runs circles around the room playing with the kids, lets them take objects from her to throw again without a sound, etc. If you never went near her neck, you would not know she ever made a sound. I will check into the training but not sure if budget allows (though her food is one item that is not affected by budget, period.)

Anyway, thanks for the help. I hope it works.

 

[mooberry]

I think in this everyone is ignoring a key issue.

YOUR PUPPY IS BITING YOU.

I know a little direct and I apologize because it sounds snippy but list, if you don't address her bad behaviour now she will one day bite the wrong person or worse child and they could take her away from you!! It's happened so many times I couldn't bare you to go through this.
Bijoux when she was a puppy use to snarl at me I put an end to that Real quick. I told her NO and flipped her on her back and just waited for her to calm down. I did it again and again and again until she got the hint that it just wasn't worth it because guess what I kept putting them on her. -At this point it was training-. When she did tollerate me putting them on her I gave her so much love and treats it was like the skies opened. But if she even so much as lifted a lip or any growling/rumbling it was right to the start.

Now Bijoux is almost a year old and she doesn't mind clothes at all! She doesn't dance to put them on but she tolerates it, and to thank her for doing it I give her so many treats/loving so I can make it worth her while.


This is what I did. You cannot give in to her. Once she learns that throwing a fit can get her own way it will only get worse. You are the boss not her, you know what is best for her.