I’m calling today “Training Thursday” around the Ranch and we’re about to have us some major league fun with it. Wanna know the reason why it’s going to be fun? Today will be so M.U.C.H. fun walking Ms. Elsa. Why? Well…I’m glad you asked.

While I’m not a pet product influencer (not yet anyway), can I just give a big shout out to the creator of the Freedom No-Pull Harness?! I have one for Sam for his work at the hospital and have loved it. It keeps him easily under control when he’s curiously pulling toward all the tubes, wires, and waste baskets, etc. in a patient’s room easily. Yesterday afternoon, after the umpteenth time of having my shoulder nearly ripped from its socket with the Princess Squirrel Hunter and then did the forehead smack when it finally dawned on me, I walked her Highness over to my favorite neighborhood pet shop and picked up another one. In the words of Homer Simpson….DOH!!!! Why hadn’t I thought to do that before?  The ease in which this product can be quickly hitched up is amazing. Slip the harness over the head, draw the two side buckles up onto the top strap and voilà! Done. No stepping in, crawling around on your belly to try to connect, not being tied in a knot because the dog isn’t cooperative. Simply, quick. Just the way to deal with an excited dog trying to be patient jonesing to leave the house as soon as you touch their leash.

This product is going to be a life saver. Literally. Three years ago, I had reconstructive shoulder surgery due to a bad scooter accident. The orthopedic surgeon said that he basically “crocheted” me back together again from stem to stern in the shoulder joint. Rehab was a bear and a painfully long process. Even now I occasionally will have painful days and walking a squirrel obsessed dog  who can catapult after tree rats like a medieval slingshot hasn’t helped. My raven haired little sweetie is quick as lightning once she’s spotted a squirrel and then it’s hang on for dear life for me. It was only a matter of time that (a) I’d probably get hurt or (b) I’d definitely get hurt. Since the idea of going through rehab again isn’t my idea of fun and games, I opted to spring for the harness which will provide maximum comfort and control. And did it ever!

But before we get to how Elsa performed in it, let me give you some of the back story about this harness. Like so many successful products, a problem prompted a design solution. Jessica McDonald was walking a friend’s 150# Rottweiler and quickly realized the prong collar was inadequate to control that dog. Relying on her Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering she designed a harness with an effective way to control the dog at its center of gravity-its chest.

By designing a tension loop at the back of the harness, she discovered it made for a very effective training and communication tool. After applying for and receiving a patent, the Freedom No-Pull Harness was born. The owner of our pet store helped us custom fit the adjustable straps for a perfect fit and I was blown away by how walking home was so much easier. The harness comes in 6 different sizes for dogs of all sizes and is made in the USA and has a great warranty should your pet manage to chew any of the straps. Elsa walked the entire way home with a loose leash beside me and NOT pulling. Hallelujah!

And in the more exciting news category, she even accepted a treat directly from the pet store owner’s hand!  Since adoption, she has refused to accept all food directly from anyone’s hand and only in the past couple of days has begun to accept pieces of cheese from me so I’m telling you, this was HUGE people.

So all in all, Training Thursday has been full of surprises and success. I can’t begin to praise this product enough. And I’m tickled pink that Elsa is beginning to trust people enough to accept food directly. The squirrels and I want to express our gratitude for this effective training device. Looks like we’ll all be just a bit safer when the Ninja Dog is out patrolling the streets of Denver.

Live, love, bark! <3