Harness Training and Leash Etiquette

Harness training an animal can be a great way to enrich their lives! Jessi shares how to teach an animal how to accept a harness and respectfully walk on a leash. Featuring Cheddar the guinea pig and quite a few familiar faces.
Our Video Sponsors:
Kevin F. Knight
Alice Clark
Rhea King
Sara Salley
Lucy McGlasson
GR Kulikowsky
Xin Ye
Michelle Kim
Richard Campbell
Montana Hires
Thank you so much for helping make these videos possible!
If you'd like your name here or featured at the end of an episode, you can become a sponsor at www.patreon.com/animalwonders
--
Looking for more awesome animal stuff?
Subscribe to Animal Wonders Montana to see all of our videos!
KZbin: / anmlwndrs
Other places to find us:
Website: www.animalwonde...
Patreon: / animalwonders
Instagram: / animalwondersmontana
Facebook: / animalwonders
Twitter: / animal_wonders
Amazon Wishlist: www.amazon.com...

[@fromscratchauntybindy9743]

Wow! Love that your energy today could fuel a jet plane! 😊 I found that my black cat Jem learnt to love the sound of a lead and harness and would line up like the dogs to have his put on- even a year after him no longer needing one!

[@animalwondersmontana]

That's awesome that he loved his walks so much!

[@micheles778]

Jessi, your boundless enthusiasm is amazing. It's impossible to keep a grin off my face when you practically (verbally) bounce onto camera. Thank you for that, and of course, all of the amazing work you and the team do to help people better understand animals.

[@rainisrockstar]

I seriously love your leash training with the clicker. it makes much more sense than what I have seen even in professional training videos. Gonna try it out myself!

[@banndsand]

I am slowly beginning the process of training my adult Ringneck Dove to wear a harness and leash so I can bring him to visit my family when we go to the country. So far I've just been using clicker training to get him comfortable touching it on his own terms. This video has been very helpful in giving me guidance for the following steps, especially when it comes to the leash. Thanks Animal Wonders! :)

[@superiornightwing]

I got my cat use to a harness at 12 yrs old. She was very stressed the first few times, but I kept the sessions short and created rewards. Now she is fine.

[@GraceMcClenathan]

Cool

[@alark2213]

I really appreciate this video! I have a two year old German shepherd who is VERY leash reactive. I'll use these tips to start better leash training him. Right now it's impossible to go on leash walks with him because he is very large and can easily pull me down at the sight of another animal. Fingers crossed we make improvements!

[@kaitlynnegus3750]

Chedder looks like my guinea pig angel! ive never seen another one like her!

[@rebelks88]

It's an Abyssinian! I had one that was all red as my first pet. The whirls are so pretty but they require different care than regular flat coated Guinea pigs if you want their coat at its healthiest.

[@lindseywalsh]

My daughter and I learned something here. We're leash training our bengal cats and have had success getting them harnessed and taken on walks, but the leash etiquette was a new one that we'll use now.

[@jpucci72]

I love this channel, it's so informative and you are a very fun and happy person

[@jpucci72]

***** hiiiiii

[@christoffaloffagus9713]

Brilliant video as usual, I can see why your animals love being around you.

[@dracla1]

I will now spend the next five minutes laughing at the thought of a person becoming frustrated trying to get a harness on their pet snake

[@ragnkja]

A harness on an animal without limbs? That's a wonderfully absurd image indeed.

[@tunesquicklee]

could you imagine if jessie posted "putting a leash on your pet snake" for april fools day lol

[@KrystalKairi]

My older dog luckily adjusted to a harness pretty quickly - going for nice, long walks was already pretty great positive reinforcement for her. Also - tegu on a leash!

[@dinamirm.9290]

I love you and me and all my baby cousins enjoy your videos. Very informative and makes kids interested in sciense. 100/100 put these for my kids

[@tainarivera751]

can u please make a video day in the life i love watching ur videos i want to grow up to rescue animals like u do the videos make me so happy

[@IsuckatTetris]

I am going to use this to re introduce harnesses to my cockatiel, and to start working with my conures. I eventually want them to practice recall training safely on a long line with a harness. Do you target train and recall train any of the parrots at Animal Wonders? I think a flight demonstration would be an awesome addition to outreaches.

[@animalwondersmontana]

We have a couple flighted birds at AW, and they do come out for presentations! I'm not 100% confident in their recalls so they don't fly outdoors without a harness. If I had more time this would definitely be a project I'd spend more time on :)

[@IsuckatTetris]

+AnimalWonders Montana in probably not going to go without a harness ever. I have seen Parrot Wizard on KZbin do flying at a park with his Sengal in an aviator harness with some sort of lightweight long line attatched. he also showed her free flighted, but I don't think I would put that much trust in my birds. Really cool to see though.

[@IsuckatTetris]

+AnimalWonders Montana also, I would love to see a video about the flighted birds! and maybe some information about choosing between clipping and leaving them flighted? I'll watch whatever you put out there though. I just have a special place with the parrots. :)

[@s02tube]

nice tips! thanks

[@elsieyocum8252]

Just started harness training our new pot bellied piglet :)

[@VioletWhirlwind]

My dog's harness attaches to the leash in the front (chest region), as it's designed to discourage pulling. She still pulls somewhat, but she no longer chokes herself from the leash being attached to her collar...which means it's at least sort of working.

[@GeeaRCee]

I am learning so much. You are amazing!

[@b.l.o.b.2017]

i know this is not related to this video but i love your organization i have watched most of your videos and i woud love to do what you do when im older but for im determined to provde the best care possible for my cockatiel and you have a video where you introduce steve but can you make a video on how you care and provide be especially for him (or something along those lines) oh and btw my cockatiel is already tame.

[@Kagedtiger]

Would you be willing to do some kind of extended-time training video? I'd love to see something where we see a little bit of training every day so we can see over the course of one video how an animal gets better at/more comfortable with something over time.

[@Ravenesque]

you guys make me happy !!

[@eniaferlore]

Hi, I love your videos, but with this one, I couldn't help but notice your lovely tanktop, were did you get it? Greetings from México

[@peoplez129]

I think a smaller clip is in order for the smaller animals. A clip that big would be pretty heavy for a small animal, and make the harness a bit more uncomfortable. With something like a guinea pig you could probably get away with using a keyring or keychain sized one even, just on a regular length leash rope. Maybe some of the DIY'ers here could make some light weight leashes for the smaller animals and donate them.

[@animalwondersmontana]

Absolutely! Regular dog leash clips won't work for the littles. Cat leashes often have smaller clips and I found an even smaller clip on a bird harness I bought that didn't work but it had like 6 tiny clips. So I cut them off and attached them to a thin leash. Works perfectly! :)

[@mercedesc2524]

My local no kill cat shelter tries to train all of their cats (that are willing) to leash walk, since it gets them adopted out faster and easier for adoption events :)

[@animalwondersmontana]

Great idea!

[@AnxietyRaptor]

I have a Eastern Fox squirrel that ive raised since she was about 5 days old and would like to have a harness on her for possible outdoor adventures! I was wondering what harness would be best. A figure 8 seems the best and ive made one that I can get on her but she hates putting it on. A comfort harness seems easier to put on but I worry if she were to jump from my shoulder the strap on her throat would hurt her. What do you think?

[@juhasonn]

I have been trying to harness train my cat but she is so stubborn! I have not found a SINGLE treat she likes, and she won't eat anything if it's coming out of my hand... When I put the harness on her she freezes and acts like she can't move. What do I do?

[@PinkChucky15]

Great video! :-)

[@HyenaPrincess]

Any advice on what sort of harness contraption to put on a blue tongue skink? My Northern loves having time outdoors and I wish I could let him wander slightly further from me with a harness on (I keep him within arm's length now so there's no chance of him running off or getting lost), but his arms are so teeny tiny that all harnesses slip right off.

[@Yuliyathehorselover]

Your leash training methods seem counterintuitive to me, I feel like it would easily result in the animal learning that getting to the end of the leash results in a treat and therefore they would pull more? (I haven't tried it yet though). The method I learned at the shelter I worked at was when the animal pulls in a direction, to walk in the opposite direction so they learn that pulling doesn't get them to where they want to go, and then to gives treats when the leash is slack

[@animalwondersmontana]

There are many ways to train the same behavior and I'm sure that works for many dogs :) I work with a variety of species and most of them are not social by nature or are not domestic and aren't geared toward being companions for humans. Using the clicker to communicate that turning to "check in" or stop pulling will get them a reward is the best way I've learned to get the less cooperative species and individuals to enjoy their time on a leash. If you do give it a try, let me know how it works out for you!

[@rtwatkins79]

Thanks for the videos Jessi! how do you feel about harnesses for your avian friends? my family just grew with the addition of a sun conure, 8 weeks old. it's very friendly and loves to be with people, so I would like to have it comfortable with us outdoors too without having to clip it's wings. Would like to hear your thoughts?

[@alexjordan8838]

I want to know too!😊

[@animalwondersmontana]

Have you seen the video on Tika the Turaco? I used the Aviator bird harness for her and it's working great. I can take her on walks outside and let her explore trees and not worry about her getting into trouble where I can get to her quickly. I'd recommend getting it asap so you can introduce it while your conure is still young. While you're waiting for it to arrive I'd practice lots of tactile, or hands on with your conure so they are used to being manipulated and your hands aren't scary. Harnessing a bird required lifting their wings and getting it snug against their body. Most don't enjoy it if they haven't been desensitized. Good luck and have fun!!

[@rtwatkins79]

Awesome, thanks Jessi! Taiyo (Tai for short) is getting lots of hands on interaction... it's actually quite the little cuddle bug ;) Wings tend to still be off limits for now, though, so we are working on that :) I'll check out the Aviator. Thanks again!!

[@LordRuin]

Can you please make a video about harness training birds?

[@brookek5922]

can this work for a leopard gecko? I would love to be able to sit on my floor with my Leo on a leash and give him the freedom of going virtually wherever he pleases, but he's a little hesitant of the harness.

[@MHDragonForce]

Where could I get a harness that you used for pickles

[@scifirocks]

If it's for a pig, I wouldn't advise it- guinea pigs have very delicate spines that can be easily damaged by them. The exception is probably someone like Jessi who has a lot more expertise and dedication than the average person.

[@MHDragonForce]

+scifirocks I know whether or not I would hurt my pet with something and it's not like you know what I'm going to do. I'm training him

[@CassideeRose]

At a pet store in the small pets isle, and sometimes even at the dollar store or Walmart.

[@scifirocks]

MHDragonForce Well that up to you of course, but as the "mummy" of two little hobbits/piggies called Frodo and Sam, and their previous sisters I wouldn't risk it myself.

[@melissasmith6762]

You do realize how stupid that sounds right? If it's that dangerous for a guinea pig to wear a harness no 'expertise' or dedication is going to make it safe or justified. Her schooling taught her how to smile in front of an audience and some basic operant conditioning not some specialized techniques to keep guinea pigs from getting injured on a leash. So if it shouldn't be done it shouldn't be done.

[@zuefa]

How long should I spend getting to know a new animal before I introduce harness training? I'm looking into getting a cat (adult) and I don't want to introduce too much (a new person and new space will be a lot anyway) but I'd like to be able to let her experience the outdoors on a harness/leash! I also don't want to ruin our ability to bond because I'm assaulting her with a harness right away!

[@empoleonmaster6709]

I'm really curious where does one get those super tiny harnesses? You don't really see them in pet stores. Also do they cost a lot like how baby clothes cost 5x more than adult clothes despite requiring less material and the same amount of effort?

[@animalwondersmontana]

You can find them online or at large pet stores. The comfort harness that I used on Cheddar is made for a rat, but it's much too big for a rat. The harness I use for Pickles and Pearl the tegu was made for a ferret. It's called an "H" harness because it looks like an "H" and latches in 2 places. They don't cost a ton, comparable to other harnesses. You'll also need a smaller leash with a lighter clip if you're working with a smaller animal.

[@SerendipitousSky]

My puppy doesn't mind his harness at all, but he got this terrible redness/rawness from it chafing under his armpits, so I stopped using it and switched to a collar. Is just a collar bad? Any advice for for cutting down on chafing? It's a nylon harness from Blueberry Pet and it's plenty big enough.

[@oldcowbb]

where do you learn all this

[@bunnookier7939]

I have a cubby rabbit who has a double neck thing It proffers if I put the harness on bellow it. It looks like it is uncomfortable. Thoughts?

[@syrenawebb2605]

oh my goodness, so much cute!

[@tanngo6702]

can you make a what where how of cockatiels

[@brokenredflag]

genies!!!

[@plot2themoon]

Why would you choose a harness over a halter or a collar?

[@bazlurrahman8932]

Needs a way more bigger dose of kemosabe than it already has .More kemp please

[@stephaniemancuso3263]

When did Cheddar join the family? How many Guinea pigs do you guys have now?

[@maddysratties4735]

how many pets do u have

[@JoshuaChowabc]

This video about harnesses could have a companion video on sexplanations

[@Deceptatronic]

Can you put a harness on a budgie?

[@animalwondersmontana]

I have not found a harness that's appropriate for a bugie yet. If anyone has, please let me know!

[@simondsjason94]

I have found small ones and modified them to be even smaller, but had a lot of trouble keeping mine comfortable

[@OMGshinyobject]

I have a little harness for cockatiels (it looks like a small African grey harness)

[@destendprince]

Can you put a leash on a bird and can the bird get used to it

[@CassideeRose]

Any tips on training a deaf puppy?

[@s02tube]

use The lure techinique to guide him to a down, see your face and come. zak George have some vídeos about this. The vibrating collar ( it isn't a shock collar) seens to be a good investment to The come comand. My dog became deaf and this was The way that I use.

[@animalwondersmontana]

Instead of using a clicker you can use light as the marker/bridge. A small led keychain or mini flashlight could work as long as it can be flashed on and off quickly. Visual cues and using scent to let him know what's going on will be your best bet. Good luck and have fun!

[@LucaPowerlifting]

apologies i haven't watched all your videos. i have read all about raccoons and i believe you had a raccoon which previously passed away. i am not thinking to buy it yet since my apartment doesn't allow it but if i were to get one can you properly train it so it doesn't open locks, vandalize property and such. Also overall is it a good pet

[@lilpaco58]

Thinking of a joke I'm Blessed

[@laughingman3777]

Jessi is so bae

[@umairahmed1874]

are steve and agent perry getting along??????????????

[@animalwondersmontana]

They are! Happy happy birbs :)

[@ajwingard9029]

how do you suppose I do this with a duck (and yes I know it sounds weird)

[@animalwondersmontana]

I don't think it sounds weird, I think it sounds awesome! I'd recommend an Aviator bird harness, size L or XL. Have the leash come off their back instead of the front. Let me know how it goes!

[@ajwingard9029]

+AnimalWonders Montana already have harnesses for them (2 peakings ) and even though they seem curious... I'm kinda worked about stressing them out or losing trust. I've had them since they hatched and it would really kill me to lose the bond we have. so got any more advice? ps- did not expect you to answer me so quickly. love the show and all the cute and wonderful animals

[@JessRushworth]

maybe try her video about positive reinforcement? wearing the leash calmly = treats!

[@GraceMcClenathan]

Who's your favorite animal

[@LeoMes01]

do a fish video

[@michaeldaugustine9249]

If you take my dog's flea collar off, he get's upset and anxious. It's like he feels naked.

[@LeoMes01]

do you have a favorite animal

[@mescalinemonkey8183]

Speedy)

[@OtherSideOfMorning]

"I really like to put an animal down'" ~~Jesse( 2016)

[@ragnkja]

Good thing she meant it literally, and not in the euphemistic sense.

[@silvertimer]

Re;;the ad. You never use butter to fry, it burns. Use olive oil or Pam spray.

[@rayhs1984]

I'll just stick to dogs as a pet.

[@GraceMcClenathan]

Lol

[@efrenchen293]

Or chickens or cats.

[@photosinensis]

Can't blame ya'. Dogs are still pretty awesome.

[@erishinto4906]

Dogs are not easy. Trust me. My dog hates kids, other people, being alone, and is the pickiest eater. But she walks amazing on a leash... as long as we are walking alone at night with no other people/animals around.

[@melissasmith6762]

Boring.

[@tahroo4262]

12 views? What is this witchcraft!?

[@yubestbetrippen]

Sometimes, her enthusiasm can be a bit annoying...like...omg...how is she so damn chipper.......? Not a bad thing, but....like...man........