PetSafe CareLift Support Harness - Full Body Lifting Aid with Handle - Great for Pet Mobility and Older Dogs - Comfortable, Breathable Material - Easy to Adjust, Large

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.

I never write reviews, but this one deserves it. My dog loves car rides. I have a bad back and was unable to lift a 65 lb 13 year old dog. This harness is a breeze. It does take a while to get the correct fit as the dog needs to be standing and it takes few times to learn how to put it on correctly. After that, it was smooth sailing. Definitely recommended.

I'll try to fill in some detail that I would have liked to known before buying this device. So, If this is too long of a review, just know my first point... 1. The device worked well for the short amount of time that I used it, less than one week. It was an absolute Godsend for this time period though! My 12 year old Great Dane/Mastiff had suffered arthritis and neuropathy in his hind end over the last few years of his life. I purchased this item with the thought that, "one day...he will need assistance navigating the stairs, etc.". His final days were nearly immobile, with me being his sole source of mobility. Literally, one day he could walk, the next day he could only use his front end/forelegs. Within the week he lost the use of his front limbs, as well.2. He had significant atrophy, which may have negatively impacted the device's fit.A. The straps that went around the hind legs slid to under his knees while he was laying down. When I performed a full-lift for him (when he was unable to lift himself at all) it was difficult to support his full weight & move the straps back to their intended locations, more centered toward the sacrum. However, once they were where they were supposed to be, they remained in place while he was upright.B. The shoulder harness just didn't quite adjust to fit him to where I thought he was comfortable. But - it was functional.3. I did not feel comfortable leaving him in the device/harness unsupervised. It could have had more padding on the straps in the under the armpit & groin and for the metal adjustment buckles for comfort during prolonged wear. Additionally, due to my dog's inability to move safely on his own, I didn't want him potentially get entangled and injure himself struggling to get loose, so I never left him in the device for more than a few hours at a time.4. The shoulder strap was absolutely imperative for me. I'm 5'5". My dog (Great Dane) weighed over 120 lbs & was very tall at the shoulders & hips. So, in order to lift him I squatted, very low to the ground, over him & placed the strap over my shoulder & neck and then stood up (using my legs!) & stood to one side, as he stood taller than my inseam.5. In going up & down the 3 stairs to get outside I kept the shoulder strap on, bearing most of his weight over my shoulders and neck area, and also used the handles on the shoulder harness & hip harness of the device to assist in navigating and managing his weight safely on the stairs & through the doorway. I would not recommend utilizing just the shoulder or just the hip harness solo, as they slide right off in that configuration, at least with a large dog.6. The strap that went around his underbelly covered his penis. So, while this portion of the device is necessary for weight distribution, it was cumbersome for urination. This strap had to be removed to enable urination & then refastened to assist with taking the weight off of the straps that went around his hind legs. I wound up having to wash this portion a few times.7. Ultimately, I'm so glad to have found this product!!A. It was readily available for shipment - in the size that I needed.B. It performed as stated.C. It shipped as stated.D. The price point was within my budget.The functionality of this product allowed me to spend a few more days loving my baby boy...I could not have had those days without it! I honestly don't know what I would have done otherwise, as I could not have afforded the other devices on the market.I hope this info helps you in your quest to continue loving your fur baby safely.Best wishes!

We have a Labrador with severe arthritis in hind legs. I have been using a more expensive body harness from another brand that I love. Over the years, he has lost weight and the harness has become very loose. It is important to note that because of the level of degeneration in his legs, we do keep the harness on him almost full time :( I purchased this product because I know the brand and the price was very reasonable. The harness itself is easy to put on and seems supportive. I guess because of the size I purchased, there is not a lot of wiggle room with extending or tightening the straps. Additionally, there is no cushion on the straps. Because he will wear it daily, it will definitely rub and be uncomfortable. If you are only using it when needed, I think it's a great harness for the price. It is sturdy and easy to put on and take off. It comes with a strap that you can attach and carry the dog on your shoulder (?) but I used the handles on the harness itself-they too are comfortable and seem durable. I may keep it to have when I am washing the other harness as it takes about a day to dry-not sure yet