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More signs Hank is becoming a dog.

When we first got him he was impossible to walk on a leash. The trainer we took him too recommend a harness which actually allowed him to be manageable to walk. The challenge being getting it over his head and hooked under his chest. We could get it on Hank by one of us putting food in their hand, while Hank was trying to get the food out between our fingers the other person could get the harness on and hooked. Not the easiest or safest thing to do. He was very interested in trying to take your hand off.

We quit using this harness a couple of years ago since he had gotten better at not pulling all the time. With a lot of time walking on his leash he stayed at a fairly decent level to manage. This winter I purchased one of these harness again to use while on vacation. Sometimes he goes crazy when he smells a deer or other animal.

This spring has been really cold with snow threatening most weekends, we did not get out very much and Hank didn’t get much time on a leash. He likes to walk about 4 inches beyond the length of the leash. This morning’s walk got to be a real pain with him pulling most of the time. After lunch I decided to go out and take some pictures. I got out the new harness for Hank. He let me slide it over his head and hook it under his chest. This was truly amazing. I even went the next step and he let me put a muzzle on him. He is becoming a real dog.

We got the muzzle because a couple of times Hank has gotten thorns in his paw and I have had to pull them out. The first one was fine, he had no idea about what I was doing until the thorn was pulled out. The second one was a little iffy and the third one I just let him get it out. I figured the next thorn would mean a trip to the vet. I think we are set for walks in the desert, I’ll put the muzzle in my day pack.