Game Schooling Mama: Dog Games Shop Ltd - Perfect Fit Harness

dog games shop ltd perfect fit harness dogs cats pigs tri-paw collar lead fleece lined comfortable

Hey there!

Today’s post is a review of my pooch’s Perfect Fit Harness that I purchased from Dog Games Shop Ltd.

I originally discovered these harnesses and the company whilst at the “Discover Dogs” exhibition at Earls Court in November 2013. If you live in the UK with ability to get into London, and most importantly LOVE DOGS (like I do) I would highly recommend that you get yourselves some tickets for this fantastic event which is organised by the Kennel Club. It takes place every year in November at Earls Court, I also went in November 2011. The exhibition consists of fundamentally 3 parts:

1. Over 200 different breeds of dog all present to be petted, stroked, and you can discuss the different breeds with their owners and learn a lot! Temperaments, originally bred for what reason/job, how to find a good breeder etc. (This is personally my favourite bit!)

2. 3 arenas with contests and shows happening throughout the weekend. Agility, flyball, heel work to music, Metropolitan Police Dog display, Kennel Club Good Citizens Scheme etc.

3. 100’s of stalls selling everything you could ever wish for your pooch (my husband’s least favourite part!). Leads and collars, clothing, beds, treats and food, and a HUGE amount more.

All in all this place is doggy heaven for me and I love it every time I go.

Anywho, back to the task in hand…

Whilst having a gander around the stalls at Discover Dogs in November I stumbled across the Dog Games Ltd stall. Not only did they stock a fleece lined harness which I had seen on other stalls but they had a completely different style harness I had never seen before which they called the Perfect Fit Harness.

Sally, the designer and creator of the harness was on hand (may I add she was a lovely lady to speak to) and she demonstrated how the different pieces clipped together and how each separate piece could be purchased in a different size thus creating the perfect fit for your dog.

Sally went on to explain how the harnesses were such a good snug fit they would be suitable for tri-paws which I think is an amazing achievement! If you don’t believe me, check out their website and Facebook page for photos and videos of tri-paws running about with ease in their harnesses and them not budging a smidge.

I love the fleece lining as opposed to these harnesses that have bare webbing rubbing in my dogs little arm pits! Thick fleece lining has got to be a lot more comfortable right? I know what I would choose if I had to wear it so why should we pick for our pet any different.

I came home without having purchased a harness as I did not know my dogs sizes by heart but was armed with some literature to read up about the harnesses more. Sally had also advised that they would send out a free alternative size if any of the pieces didn’t fit correctly.

I am soooo pleased I read the brochure I was provided with and the medical / health benefits to using a harness over a collar. I am guilty as charged, I have usually used collars on my dog for the last 4.5 years but never ever again! This harness will prevent choking, pain and injury to their sensitive neck and throat area, reduce anxiety and adrenaline levels which in turn should reduce pulling on lead, and enables it to put its head to the ground to stimulate its natural working and sniffing instincts for mental well-being.

The brochure also describes several medical conditions that can be brought on from making your dogs wear a collar and them pulling on it. My dog can be a puller sometimes particularly when she sees a cat! One of the conditions was common in terriers (she is a Border Terrier x Poodle) so at that point I was sold. Why would I want her to wear anything that would cause her pain, discomfort or eventually long term medical problems. Please order a brochure off of the website for free and read it, and hopefully you too will change your mind and stop your dog wearing a collar.

In addition to the health benefits the harness is also useful for the following reasons:

1. It is easy to put on – you do not need to lift your dogs legs or put it over their head, just clip it round their body.

2. The harness will grow with your dog. Because this harness is designed to fit ALL shapes and sizes of dogs, it is particularly suitable for puppies and young dogs. From the age of about 5-6 months onwards the young dog can be fitted with the Top and Front pieces in the "adult" size and has a smaller Girth piece while it is young. Then when it grows older and bigger you just buy a larger adult sized Girth piece.

3. If one part of the harness gets damaged or chewed, you can just replace the individual bits as opposed to the whole harness.

4. They have found that this snug fitting harness can often calm down and reassure over-anxious and excitable dogs, helping them to become more confident and relaxed (apparently working like a body or comfort wraps). These harnesses have been found to be very beneficial in many rescue centres, with recently rehomed dogs, and also with dogs showing various behavioural problems.

5. These harnesses are safer because the harness clips around the dog's head the neck hole can be made smaller than the dog's skull, thus preventing the dog from escaping.

The harnesses are available in lots of different colour top pieces including high visibility pieces with reflective webbing.

Photo taken from the Dog Games Shop website

I would recommend that you order your harness over the phone and seek advice from the professionals. They will just ask you your dog’s measurements and advise what harness size pieces they think you need.

For a full video demonstration of how the harness works please visit this YouTube video by clicking here.

I hope you found this review helpful and maybe discovered a product that will make you as happy as it has me. The harnesses can be delivered worldwide so do not fret if you are reading from outside of the UK. The Perfect Fit Harness is also suitable for cats and even pet pigs!

Do you use harnesses or collars for your dogs? Have you heard of this harness before? I would love to know your comments and thoughts so leave them below!