The present invention relates to a harness for small animals that may be led or controlled by a leash.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a harness, primarily intended for dogs, that is simple to put on and humanely applies control pressure to the dog's body instead of just to the throat or neck as is done with the traditional dog collar.
The control harness of the present invention comprises a chest strap and a brisket strap, the left and right ends of which are respectively interconnected at laterally spaced apart positions over the withers of the dog. These spaced apart points of strap interconnection are connected together by an endless loop strap or similar device that, when tensioned by pulling on a leash connected to the top side of the endless loop, will draw the interconnected ends of the chest and brisket straps together, applying inwardly directed pressure to the chest and shoulder area of the dog instead of isolating control pressure to the throat of a dog wearing a traditional collar.
As seen in
The ends 12 and 14 of the chest strap 4 are attached to connector rings 18 and 20 as are the ends 22 and 24 of the brisket strap 6. When the length of the brisket strap is properly adjusted the attachment rings 18 and 20 are positioned over the withers of the dog at respectively left and right locations laterally of the dog's spine.
In the preferred embodiment an endless loop strap 25 slidingly runs through each of the attachment rings 18 and 20. A lead leash 28 is attached to the top side of the endless loop strap 25 with a ring 29 or similar means. When the top side of the endless loop is pulled or drawn by the leash the bottom side of the loop shortens and pulls the attachment rings 18 and 20 together. When the attachment rings are drawn together the ends of both the chest strap and the brisket strap are also drawn together, applying inward pressure against the chest and shoulder areas of the dog. Such pressure enables the handler to exert control over the dog without the strangulation incident to a traditional neck collar. If the leash is pulled to one side or the other of the dog, greater pressure will be brought to bear on the opposite side, indicating that the dog should turn.