Introducing the Help’EmUp Harness with “Hip Lift.” A complete shoulder and hip harness system that literally lifts the lives of aging or recovering dogs! By placing a pair of handles where you can quickly reach them, this unique dog harness allows you to lend support at any time.
A complete support and lifting harness, featuring “Hip Lift”
that can stay on your dog.
The dog lift harness is especially helpful for owners whose dogs are feeling the effects of aging or health issues. It’s also perfect for Veterinarians and Orthopedic Surgeons who work with dogs recovering from injuries or surgery. In fact, the pain it minimizes may very well be your own!
Choosing the right harness.
Ten years of sizing harnesses has taught us a few very important lessons. Here are the most relevant factors to consider.
1. Total weight
Knowing your dogs total weight gets us in the ballpark! So first and foremost, know their weight!
2. Torso
Each breed typically has a unique body shape with variations within. Deep chest, narrow waist, shallow chest, tubular, skinny and of course plump or overweight. We know our dogs well so this should be easy.
3. Legs
A dog’s legs can make up a quarter of their total body weight! Are your dogs legs short or long, stout or skinny? Legs tell us a lot.
4. Range within a size.
Each of our harnesses has 11 separate adjustments. This is so you can adjust to meet the unique characteristics of your dog. Each harness has a broad range within its size definition. Meaning – you can adjust the chest to a deep chest or a shallow one, a narrow waist to a plump waist, our harnesses have range! This also means there are about five pounds of crossover at the top and bottom of each size. Ask for help if you are unsure.
4. Consider their age or their condition.
Once a dog reaches a certain age (it’s different for all) they tend to stop adding on weight. So it’s best not to apply the “they’ll grow into it” method. If your dog is losing weight, project ahead. If your dog is recovering from any number of issues, surgery, injury etc… they might be up a few pounds. Once again the harness has added length to straps to accommodate changes.
5. Mixing sizes.
We get asked this a lot and its really why we have the broad range within each size. Occasionally and with certain breeds it becomes necessary. We sell separate fronts and backs on our accessory page and all sizes will connect easily front to back as separates.
6. Selecting the correct Hip Lift. Conventional or "U" Band
As a last note on sizing we make 2 versions of the Hip Lift, the Conventional and the “U” Band. All females and 80% of males will wear the Conventional version but those males whose penis sits further back, between their hind legs or just even with the front of the hind legs will use the “U” Band.
Choosing the correct Hip Lift
The Conventional Hip Lift
The best fit for all females and most males
The conventional version of our dog lifting harness by Blue Dog Designs has a solid belly band and works very well for all female dogs and the majority of male dogs.
It has two fasteners on the belly band, for easier centering, a moveable pelvic pad and padded support straps. For most male dogs, the penis comes out forward of the belly band, allowing them to urinate freely. We recommend this version for most dogs.
The moveable pelvic pad is made of neoprene and covered with fleece. It should be positioned under the pelvic plate, to provide additional support for the hips and spine. It can be made narrower to avoid irritation and it locks in place with velcro. It can be removed for male dogs who are intact, for added comfort.
The U-Band Hip Lift
The ultimate dog support harness for male dogs whose penis is located farther back.
The U-shaped opening in the belly band provides clearance for those male dogs who may be hindered from urinating by the conventional version. These dogs have a penis that is located further back between their hind legs. The U-shaped opening helps them to urinate freely.
The armature used to create this opening is padded but even so we do not recommend letting dogs lay in for extended periods of time.
Note: Dog harnesses are sold as a front & back combination. We do not recommend using the Hip Lift by itself as it may slide off, possibly causing injury to your dog. Also, do not leave it on your dog for over-extended lengths of time. Use it as needed and then when possible – remove.
Properly fitting the Hip Lift
For most male dogs, the conventional belly band fits in front of the hind legs, behind the penis.
The tip of the penis shown here is forward of hind legs 1 to 2 inches.
This dog will need the Conventional Hip Lift
On 20-25 percent of male dogs, the tip of their penis starts farther back between their legs. The U-band shape provides an easy opening so they can urinate freely.The penis shown here is between or even with the front of hind legs.
This dog will need the U-Band Hip Lift
7. “Out of the Bag”.
Right out of the bag all of our harnesses come fully assembled, meaning the the front and Hip Lift are connected. Please note how it is assembled before taking it apart. It has 11 separate adjustments and 9 separate connector clips. Try it on your pup first as it is and then make adjustments. Please refer to our fitting demonstration videos for more help. Note: There are several places where more strap may be tucked into neoprene sleeves, make sure the straps are pulled out to get more length.