1. Should my dog wear a collar or a harness?
A harness is definitely the product we recommend for every dog, regardless of size or character. It is a better choice than a collar because it is positioned on the dog’s body in a way that reduces possibility of neck, trachea, or other delicate neck organ injuries. If you’re concerned about the harness restricting the shoulder girdle, the Y-harnesses we make are designed not to cover the shoulders, allowing a full range of movement of the shoulder joint. Of course, the harness should be the right size to fit properly.
Collars, however, are an essential part of every dog’s wardrobe and can be useful, if nothing else, for attaching the owner’s contact information or for wearing during the process of getting the dog accustomed to a harness. However, we do NOT recommend them for dogs that pull on the leash due to the risk of neck injury, or for puppies.
2. Which type of harness is best for my dog?
If you have a dog with deep chest (such as sighthound) or a fearful dog that tries to escape from equipment, a good choice for you would be the Extra Safe Y-harness with an additional strap around the torso. The additional strap makes it more difficult for the dog to escape from the harness, and it fits well around the deep ribcage, keeping the harness in place.
For all other cases, the Out & About Y-harness is a good choice.
3. Will the harness fit my dog's body shape?
Our harnesses are custom-made for your dog, so they should fit properly. However, taking accurate measurements is important.
4. Is the size adjustable?
Harness is tailor-made according to your dog’s measurements, but the strap around the torso is always adjustable in case your dog gains or loses weight.
For Extra Safe Y-harnesses, both straps around the torso are adjustable.
Collars are also adjustable.
5. How do I measure my dog for a harness?
To create a harness tailored exactly to your dog’s measurements, we have measurement instructions on the product page of each harness.
6. What if I make a mistake in taking measurements?
We understand that measuring a dog is not always easy, especially if the dog is not cooperative. Arm yourself with treats, and if it becomes difficult or the dog shows signs of stress, we recommend taking a break and trying again later.
Regarding the measurements themselves, do not worry about being a centimeter or two off – it won’t make a significant difference. The most important thing is to accurately measure the neck circumference so that the ring sits on the sternum and the straps do not cover the shoulders.
7. Is there a possibility of repair?
If you need a repair for your equipment, feel free to contact us to see what can be done. We reserve the right to charge for repairs if additional materials need to be used, but of course, we will communicate the cost to you before you make a final decision.
8. How long does it take to make a piece of gear?
9. Is Out and About equipment suitable for puppies?
Of course! For puppies, we use a thinner and lighter version of the BioThane® material for harnesses and leashes, so it is not heavy for them.
However, we do NOT recommend collars for puppies due to their mischievous nature and delicate necks, which can be easily injured by pulling on the leash.
10. Is Out and About equipment suitable for fearful or reactive dogs?
Absolutely! Fearful and reactive dogs were our inspiration for starting the Out and About workshop because we wanted to offer force-free equipment that is easy to put on and minimizes stress when putting on (plastic buckles on the back and neck), that ensures dogs cannot escape (without the use of force) (additional strap around the torso), and that provides them with enough space to explore the environment, sniff, and communicate their needs (long lines).
11. What is the neck buckle on harness for?
The buckle on the neck is there so harness can be fastened around the neck instead of being put on over the head. This is particularly valuable for fearful dogs who are usually uncomfortable with something being put over their head.
12. Are the buckles on the harness sturdy enough for my dog?
We use plastic buckles for the harnesses because they are lightweight and practical for putting on and taking off the harness, and they are durable enough to withstand all weather conditions. The buckles on the harness serve to hold the material together and are not under significant pressure when walking the dog on a leash. The points under the greatest pressure are the ring on the chest and back, and the connections around them – and since we use stainless steel for the rings and rivets, the connections are strong enough. However, please note that the buckles are not unbreakable, and it is always possible for them to come undone under excessive strain.
13. Is the buckle on the collar sturdy enough for my dog?
The buckle on the collar is made of plastic and is strong enough as long as your dog does not continuously pull on the leash. For dogs that pull on the leash, we always recommend a harness instead of a collar, for their physical well-being.
14. What materials are used for Out and About equipment?
We make all Out and About equipment from the original BioThane® material, which is produced in the USA by ISO-certified process (ISO 9001). The BioThane® Beta® 520 Standard we use is polyester coated with PVC, making it durable, completely waterproof, and odor-resistant. It is also extremely easy and quick to clean. It feels similar to leather but is more durable, resistant, and easier to maintain. It remains flexible and durable even in cold weather conditions.
We use stainless steel for metal details such as rings, rivets, and carabiners, except for the Safe leashes, for which we use aluminum carabiners with a safety mechanism.
The buckles on the harnesses and collars are made of durable plastic.
15. Will Out and About equipment irritate my short-haired dog with sensitive skin?
BioThane® should not irritate even the most sensitive skin by itself. Due to its easy to maintain and quick dry qualities, it is often much better for dogs with allergies than other materials that gets wet, damp and soaks in bacteria and mold. However, for short-haired dogs with sensitive skin, the cut ends of the material at the connections can cause irritation – which is why we recommend choosing the option to fold the edges on the outer side. of collar/harness.
16. Will the harness "wear down" my dog's fur at the contact points?
Any equipment that is worn continuously in the same place can create indentation in the fur. We recommend occasionally changing the equipment and, certainly, removing it when you are at home so that the fur can recover.
17. Does the harness cause pulling on the leash?
The harness does not cause pulling on the leash. Pulling on the leash is caused by various factors such as an interesting environment, the dog’s excitement, the history of self-reward when the dog succeeds in reaching the desired goal by pulling (they have learned that if they pull, they can get where they want to go, which is rewarding in itself), the fact that dogs have four legs and are faster than us, the desire to move away from something that causes discomfort, and so on. Therefore, there are many possible factors why a dog may pull on the leash, but the harness is not one of them. The harness only guarantees the dog’s comfort when pulling and reduces the risk of serious neck injury, which is what we want for our dogs, right?
18. Which leash should I choose?
We offer three types of leashes:
Simple leashes – classic leashes with a length of 1.5, 2, or 2.5 meters, long leashes with a length of 5, 7, or 10 meters, and 2in1 leashes with a length of 2.5, 3 or 3.5 meters, adjustable and wearable either over the shoulder or around the waist.
More information about each type of leash and which one to choose for your dog can be found on the product page of each leash.
19. What are long lines used for?
Long lines are used to give the dog a sense of freedom so that they can engage in natural canine activities such as sniffing, exploring the environment, digging, marking with urine, and more. They are also an excellent tool for training recall, decompression walks after stressful events and are an indispensable ally in working with reactive or fearful dogs.
20. How do I maintain Out and About equipment?
One of the best characteristics of Out and About equipment is its resistance to water and odor absorption, which means that it is extremely easy to maintain. Simply rinsing it with warm water and a little soap will clean even the dirtiest equipment, and to dry it, you can leave it for a few minutes in the air or wipe it dry with a cloth, and it will be immediately dry.
If you haven’t found an answer to your question, please contact us directly.