CareLift Support Harness - Lifting Aid for Senior or Injured Dogs - Breathable Mesh - Machine Washable - Post-Surgery Dog Support - Medium

I have a110 lb Great Pyrenees/ Shepard mix. He has a torn hind led CCL and will have TPOL surgery soon. Unfortunately this surgery isn't something you just quickly schedule right after diagnosis. So 4-6 weeks of a weighty dog not being able to use his hind legs. I bought both a sling and a harness, I think you really should consider both because your dog will go through phases of being able to walk assisted (Use the harness) and not being able to walk at all (Use the sling). The Vet will ask you to keep your dog mostly immobile for the 4-6 weeks before surgery to not further injure the knee. You will see your dog walking but doing so in a manner we call the toe tap or they will be sitting on the good leg and dragging themselves self short distances. It's a sad sight. The risk is not only to the hurt leg, but hurting the remaining good leg as well. Keep you vet informed and they will prescribe in our case anti-inflammatory and pain medication. We also use some tryptophan treats for anxiety. Trust me your dog will be very stressed from pain and immobility.In his first week after his tear he couldn't walk at all. At 110 pounds, you can pick him up with this, it has a shoulder strap but based on the contact weight distribution points (Straps under each leg) doesn't appear as comfortable to my dog as the sling did. The sling I have has a sturdier dual shoulder strap and the sling covers him from his chest to his backside. It also has handles on the sides and not the top like this harness. The weight is distributed across his entire under body and with the straps and handles on the side you pick him up across his ribs and midsection. (That's the major difference, a sling has a greater area of weight distribution vs the harness which only has the 4 leg points) For a dog that can't walk in my opinion it's the easiest way to pick up and carry a dog. In addition, the sling has dual side straps two people can share the load, a strap for each persons shoulder.But lets get back to the mobility harness. I keep my dog with me in my small office on a blanket which he happily stays on most of the day to keep his mobility to a minimum. When my dog was relaxed I introduced the harness and sling. This harness is great and I started with the top part only and just let him wear it for 20 minutes several time throughout the day. He thinks of it like a collar. You can assemble the entire back section and treat it like a single unit. With the top part on it's a quick and easy clasp to the 2 parts together so it hands off your dogs back. Slip the abdominal strap in place and then slide the 2 back legs straps under and connect. The hardest part is the 2 leg straps, but that's only because your dog may not be able to stand up so you have to kind of slide them under to attach. The whole thing takes me less than a minute. Because I can get it on and off quickly, I don't have my dog wear it for any extended period of time. I do however still put the top part on him for random 20 minute periods just to keep him used to it. My goal is to have him used to this because after the TPLO surgery it's going to be weeks of rehab and need for assisted walkingThe first 2 days he didn't like bottom part. But once he realized with my help he could get out of the office, he's adjusted to it. You still need to watch your dog to make sure he doesn't over do it, I don't even with the harness let him go more than 20 feet before I make him rest again. Though I admit he snuck off a few times when I left him resting in the harness. So I know he's capable of toe tap walking right now, but you don't want to risk further injury.Once your dog is on this, you lift slowly from his back, while holding the front. The front hand guides, the back had lifts and provides support. At first my dog would not use his back legs and did a funny wheelbarrow race walk. Then after day 1 realized he could put weight on his back legs with the support. Don't over do it, 20 feet at a time or less seems to work well for us. My wife is 5'1 and weighs about the same as the dog, and she can lift and guide him with this harness and walk him short distances. The configuration stays in place, it's well designed for mobility assist, and has enough flexibility to be taut when you're assisting the dog and relaxed when your dog may be lounging for a few minutes in the harness. I see no issues with chaffing of discomfort while assisting in walking. Acclimate the Dog to the harness and he'll treat it just like a collar or putting on a leash for a walk.Regarding the harness strap. Yes it works. It's a one person strap as opposed to the sling which can be used with 2 people. I don't like the weight distribution of this harness when used as a sling because of the points of contact are all joints versus the entire dog under frame. It will work, and if you have to carry the dog a short distance it's a good solution. But for a BIG dog, it can't be comfortable for a dog for any longer periods used this way.All the best to you and your dogs! hope this helps a little.

My pup was recently diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), and had to undergo an emergency hemilaminectomy, otherwise she risked being paraplegic for the rest of her life.Since having the operation, my dog has lost her ability to walk (hopefully, temporarily).That said... Although she cannot walk, she has since regained full control of her bladder and anal sphincter. This requires me to take her outside a few times during the day to handle her 'business.'Prior to purchasing this unit, I was using the sling by GingerLead, which seemed like the best option at the time. However, when I went back to vet for my dog's followup to remove the staples in her back, the neurologist recommended I get a harness similar to the Help Em' Up Harness, because it supported her hips... Since I couldn't find that brand on Amazon, I settled on the Solvit. (True Story.)Anyhow... After receiving and making adjustments to the unit, I took her out for a quick walk to see how it compared to the sling.I must say... It was MUCH easier to hold her up with this unit. We walked for a few blocks then turned back toward the APT building. (Prior to this, my hands would get tired before even reaching he second block.)The next step was hoisting her up a small flight of stairs. That's when I was sold.Prior to having this unit, I used the sling and another harness (not made for hoisting) to get her up the stairs in my apt building. Although it worked, I felt as if she was uncomfortable everytime I did so.The next test was in using the unit to get her in her crate (where she needs to spend most of her time for the next few weeks).Again, the unit was much easier to use than the sling. Less slack, less dragging of her legs. More control.Since having the unit, I've used it to hoist her up stairs, into my small car, into her crate, and of course, on our walks.At ~$50, this unit is fair priced, and an absolute Godsend to anyone that has a dog that has trouble walking... Or in my case, a dog that is (hopefully, temporarily) paraplegic.If your dog has an injury, or undergoing rehab (like mine), ditch the sling and get a full body lifting harness.Your back and forearms will thank you. And your dog will likely recover quicker since their lower spine and hind legs are getting the support they need.Although the sizing is a bit odd (I ordered and Medium for 62lb pit bull), the unit seems to be well constructed. Although the included shoulder strap may come in handy, I also found it a bit odd to use.As for getting/fitting the harness, the setup took maybe 10 minutes (since my dog is paraplegic, and I had to maneuver around her more than I would had she been able to stand in her own).A few other things I suppose worth mentioning is that the hind legs part was significantly looser than the front part. For me the extra slack was welcomed since I walk my dog from the back grip. If I were to decrease the slack (which I can), her legs would be much too far from the ground -- sending her spine into misalignment.The only othe gripe I have would be the way the front strap works. I dislike the fact my dog has the step into the straps. I feel there is much greater chances for chaffing her upper area.Some extra (front) padding would be welcomed.But for ~$50, I'm satisfied nonetheless and could not ask for a better harness for my dog's recovery. I may invest in some padding and duct tape it to the front straps, and then it'll be perfect enough.[...]All the best.

Our dog recently had a spinal injury so we got this harness because it was the most similar to the one the vet used. It fits perfectly and works wonderfully. It has cushioning on the back legs which lessens the friction when picking his back end up. I would give a higher rating but I'm seeing an issue with the groin protector. I've tried adjusting it to fit loosely and to fit snuggly. If its loose it dangles and he pees all over it and if its snug it seems to just smash himself into himself where it gets pee all over himself and the harness. I've been having to assist him going pee so I have to squeeze his bladder and when I was searching for his bladder I felt that his weinny was bent and squished. Without the groin protector I feel like that is too much strain on his legs to be lifted like that. So going forward I'll have to pay attention to the placement when he moves.