Training vest issues

[Jollymolly]

I bought Molly a training vest and at first we had few issues getting it on and off. But recently when I go to snap it closed under her belly she starts jumping back and growling. Tody she took my hand in her mouth granted she did not bite but concerned me.I corrected the hand grab and got the vest on. I was wondering how to desensitise her to this process as the vest makes it so much easier to train her in public areas.

[Snowshoe]

How does it do up? Is it pinching or poking her? Is it pinching hairs and pulling on them? Does it rub her legs when she walks? Is it hot? Are you sure it wasn't a play growl? Sorry, all I can think of is questions.

[Jollymolly]

Thanks for all the questions. Ill ake sure that none of those are occuring.

[emma_Dad]

being that she did that all of a sudden. maybe one time when you put it on it got caught on her skin, that caused her to get scared of it. As far as desensitizing/ to using it. I would go back to square 1 and do Counter conditioning exercise with her.


Also, I wouldn't have necessarily corrected her for the growl, since she was telling you stop that I don't like whatever you just did. It can lead to her skipping the growl and moving towards a more adverse sign like showing teeth and air snap.

[emma_Dad]

Here's a good video on dog's who don't like their harness so you can translate it to possible reason she might not like her vest.

Dogs Who Don Like Harnesses - YouTube

And how to acclimate harness/collar but it should still translate to a vest.
Pet Education: Collar and Harness Acclimation

[POPTOP]

One other thought, make sure there are no burrs, stickers, anything annoying on her underside or on the straps. Archie does very well getting his vest/backpack on. At first he was wiggly but is doing better and standing still.

[Jollymolly]

She is fine with the harness body on its once I go to her under belly. I will continue to work with her slowly. I did make it a bit bigger and have been working on snaping it closed next to her , rubbing her belly with it. I appreciate all the suggestions.