LabraDog Canine K9 Back Brace (Small)

My 12yo 75# champion Aussie heart-dog has been slightly ataxic for years, but "went down" with IVDD (T1-T3) a week ago. He is not a good surgical candidate so I've been working to medically manage him at home, meaning strict crate rest, monitored heat pad sessions, range of motion PT exercises, and a whole lot of trying to keep his mood up-beat and keep him mentally engaged & content (lots of special chew-treats, snoops, & pupcicles (monitored xtra carefully d/t neuro choking risk). He's been unable to stand, unable to walk, frustrated, in pain, and miserable about being unable to stand up or walk out to potty, thus having to potty laying down in his bed which upset him. I was worried this brace would press at just the wrong spot, since his injury is between the shoulder blades, so I hesitated a few days after its delivery before putting it on him. Getting it onto my 75# in-pain floppy sack-of-potatos boy was real work, and when I finished I left him lying on his bed while I walked into the next room for 2 minutes. When I came back, he was out on the porch (safe area) holding himself up & doing his "business!" When he finished he walked inside unassisted & laid down in his bed, feeling much happier & more like himself than he's been in a week! I am writing this review the same day I put it on him for the 1st time, because this has made such a dramatic improvement in my boy's physical, neurological, and emotional state, that I just had to give it 5 stars immediately! My only regret is that I didn't have this product for my girl Aussie who I lost from ivdd years ago. My boy is not "healed" but with this tool he stands his best chance of healing himself, avoiding further jarring/pain/damage, and his spirits lifted immediately when he suddenly became empowered to stand & walk again. Thank you for this life-changing product! My boy's measurements: 75#; Back Length: 26" from withers to base of tail; Girth at maximum: 33"; Neck: 21" near the shoulders. The 2XL fits nicely with the shoulder straps set at maximum length option, the chest girth set nearly at maximum (could accommodate ~2-3" wider girth, beyond that would need to add some velcro extensions to customize), and the leg straps set at half-way point. This XXL would easily fit a dog with several inches smaller neck, several inches smaller chest girth, and several inches longer back OR several inches shorter back. Girth could be modified with velcro extensions to fit a larger chest than my boy's. This brace did not interfere with dog's urination or defecation, he is comfortable (happy!) in it, it greatly reduced his paw-buckling immediately, does not restrict breathing, and has no edges or seams that felt uncomfortable to me during inspection. The harness ring is handy for a finger-loop so I can support him and position him as needed, without touching or putting any pressure on his spine (game-changer!). For intact males, use care placing- and monitor- any rear leg straps on any brace/coat/etc, to prevent injuries. Overall, I only wish I'd bought this sooner!!

It does what it says. It’s fairly well made think good physio equipment. If you want ridiculously over engineered cordura tough this ain’t it. But fit your dog well and remove as needed nighttime etc… should last for extended use.

My dog cannot stand on his own and both head and tail end shift to the left. I've tried other harnesses, but this has been the best one. Due to his body shifting, I should have gone up to a larger size. The velcro straps are strong, just need to be careful when doing the two back straps on male dogs when pulling them under their back legs. The material is not rigid and flexible. The only additions I would make to this so that it would be nearly perfect is to make the side velcro straps longer and add a hook to the tail end. I've been hooking the loop on the back end and the other side to the top end in order to keep him steady. When taking him down steps, I securely hold the two sides, so the velcro doesn't separate. I hope this is helpful to other doggie owners having this issue.

The front webbing strap tore after a few hours

My dog has short little legs and the back straps slipped down. The pee hole did not line up for him. He is a 14 mix breed but built like a pug. (No pug in him at all.) It just didn't work for his body type. I had to return it along with numerous other I attempted. I cannot blame the harness. It just doesn't work with his body type.