HelpEmUp Harness Review

[4ondafloor]

http://helpemup.com/store/
Well darn!
The harness arrived last week. While it's a great product it's simply not for MaB.
It was ill fitted no matter how I tried to adjust it. I honeslty don't think they had Newf in mind when the said it fit large breed dogs.
The padded chest plate and shoulder straps fit nicely. The padded extension connecting the front of the harness to the rear was a good length BUT the rear section of the harness was where I needed the most concentration for assistance and it simply did not do well. The padded rear section was fitted well across her backside ok. It was the adjustable straps that gave me a problem. In order for it to fit properly the straps had to run around the back part of her tummy and in between her legs. Cinching it down enough to fit properly, the straps were too tight and rested way to closely on the inside of her rear legs. I could see where she was not happy with the snugness of it. Loosening it only caused the harness to move about and left way too wide a gap between her back and the handle when I lifted.
With all that said, it did provide ease when lifting but with it loose enough to be comfortable for her it was just not working well. The build of a newf (especially one the size of MaB) was just not working in conjuction with the design.
It's back in the box.
My review? For a large breed other than newf, this would be a great aid. For a newf? Not so much. We are back to the drawing board alnd looking for another product.:darn:

 

[2Paws]

This is good to know. I was seriously thinking of getting this for the future. We sure could have used something with Winston other than a towel as a sling. Will have to reconsider this option. Thanks for your input!

 

[plafleursr]

Try this one by Ruff wear, several folks I know used it after knee surgery anf to help on third floor walk up. http://www.ruffwear.com/Web-Master-Harness?sc=2&category=1131

 

[4ondafloor]

Thanks! I see this one doesn't have the two adjustable straps on the rear. This one just might work.. I'll take some measurements tonight and see if we can accommodate the ole gal

 

[padkins]

I am so glad that we found this forum while ours are young. I am learning so much about what I might need to be prepared for when they get older. Thanks so much! Did you put your review of that harness online at the manufacturer's website? I'm sure you did, and I'm sure that lots of large breed owners will find the information very helpful! :new_smilie_colors1:

 

[4ondafloor]

I haven't, no. I'll try to remember to do that

 

[plafleursr]

My friend has male Newf using a large and has more room for adjustment, he weighs 135 lbs.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Oh no! It's too bad that it didn't work out for the Divine Miss M! Well, I have every hope that the next one you bring home will be just right and the both of you will get the help that you need! And then we'll have to see pictures

 

[NinaA]

I would at least try a sling from Foster Smith, and I think they are on sale now. Echo loves hers - no leg adjustments to deal with - Echo couldn't handle the leg part anyway, since her knees are shot. We love it. And, it's easy on and easy off - or, ours stays on 24/7.

 

[4ondafloor]

Ok Nina, I just ordered the Comfort Lift from Fosters and Smith
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8082
This may be just the thing we need. Of all the ones I've looked at how funny is it that the most simplistic one (and cheapest by far) may just be the perfect match! They're on sale right now for 11.39
I paid WAY over that for the HelpEmUp, trust me.
Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Ok Nina, I just ordered the Comfort Lift from Fosters and Smith
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8082
This may be just the thing we need. Of all the ones I've looked at how funny is it that the most simplistic one (and cheapest by far) may just be the perfect match! They're on sale right now for 11.39
I paid WAY over that for the HelpEmUp, trust me.
Thank you for the suggestion.

I have that one and I love it for what I need it for. (I got a hunter green one for Mila's TPLO recovery) That said, it can't be left on...it has long handles and doesn't stay in place very well unless you get it very tight, but even then, the handles are still very long and could cause a fall. Honesty, that's how Mila had her first setback (not this most recent one) during her recovery...I went to a family party in Indiana and my hubby left it on her in my absence, which was a(n honest) mistake. I believe that she fell at some point while I was gone; I came home to her tangled in the handles and she later began limping and developed a seroma because of it.

I can't use mine to help Mila stand up, but it's good for helping support her and ensuring that she doesn't fall once she is up...with a good deal of effort I can get it under and around her while she's laying down, but there are times that I can't even do that. Mila is 120+ pounds of dead, lazy weight

 

[dumainedogs]

Ok.. I know this section says "Senior Newfs".. but can a guest Senior Corgi chime in? I'm looking at that lift and wondering if it might be useful for me with Betty. I pick her up and carry her.. a lot! She can walk with assistance or in her wheels so maybe.. if those straps are long enough.. that would take some of the strain off my back on potty breaks? That would be the trick with her because she's so low to the ground!

 

[4ondafloor]

Kristen, thanks for the heads up. I think I'm going to be able to use this fine for lift. MaB doesn't have a problem in the front. Only in the rear. She is a girl of habit where she lays and sleeps. I can keep it handy and when she sits up I can slip it around her to help lift her rear. She's usually looking and waiting for me already so I'm confident that we can work this into our routine. I know she will be happy to have the weight of the lifting more evenly distributed.

 

[Angela]

Someone donated the Comfort Lift to me when Dudley was getting really bad. I found it fairly good but he was so large, rather like Jen's Murphy.

I had to use it the other day for Gracie who overdid her exercises which she does lying on her back! I found it really good for her.

 

[4ondafloor]

Thanks Angela!
It should arrive by Monday and we'll see how it works for MaB

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Kristen, thanks for the heads up. I think I'm going to be able to use this fine for lift. MaB doesn't have a problem in the front. Only in the rear. She is a girl of habit where she lays and sleeps. I can keep it handy and when she sits up I can slip it around her to help lift her rear. She's usually looking and waiting for me already so I'm confident that we can work this into our routine. I know she will be happy to have the weight of the lifting more evenly distributed.

Oh good! Than this will certainly work perfectly for your girl!

 

[lilly06]

Try this one by Ruff wear, several folks I know used it after knee surgery anf to help on third floor walk up. http://www.ruffwear.com/Web-Master-Harness?sc=2&category=1131

I was going to suggest the RuffWear harness too. I have heard a lot of success with it.