SabakaSling

Adjustment and Use.

THE LEG LOOPS SHOULD BE ADJUSTED TIGHT ENOUGH FOR THE LOOPS TO STAY IN POSITION AROUND THE DOG’S HAUNCHES WHEN THE HANDLE LOOP IS ALLOWED TO DANGLE FREELY WHILE THE DOG STANDS MOTIONLESS, OR ABSOLOTELY MINIMAL WEIGHT IS BEING TAKEN ON THE HANDLE BY THE OWNER, DEPENDING ON THE DOG’S PHYSICAL CONDITION.  

You probably won’t find the optimum adjustment with the first try. It will probably take several attempts, but keep trying. Keep track of each change in the adjustment process, so you can go back to a previous setting, if need be. When you think that optimum adjustment has been achieved, keep trying! You might very well find a better adjustment. If not, just go back to what you had before. Adjustment is not difficult, and you might have to make minor changes daily to accommodate any “bloating” that might occur in older dogs. It’s really not hard at all. Keep in mind that the dog’s comfort comes first, but taught leg loops make the sling much easier to use on a day-to-day basis.  

Properly adjusted leg loops straddle the dog’s tail, one loop on each side. The somewhat taught adjustment prevents the tail from being displaced to the wrong side of one of the loops (both loops on the same side of the tail,) which unbalances the SabakaSling, and increases pressure on the dog’s anatomy on the displaced side. Check frequently while walking to make sure that there is a loop on each side of the dog’s tail.  

A real benefit of correct leg loop adjustment is apparent when the dog must eliminate solid waste. Allow slack for the dog to attain a normal squatting position for elimination, this might require the owner to take more of the dog’s body weight on the handle loop. Leg loops that are too loose can snag on the dog’s tail, resulting in the dog accidentally eliminating waste onto the fur of its own tail, which is rather messy and unpleasant to clean up. Additionally, loose leg loops can themselves block the exit of the rectum and become a target for eliminated waste, requiring subsequent cleaning.

It must be noted that the leg loop adjustment must be made without any, or minimal, upward tension being placed on the handle by the owner. It is preferable to adjust the sling with the dog lying comfortably on its side. When the sling is in use, with the handle loop under tension the back tube will actually come up and away from the dog’s back bone. There must always be this gap between dog and tail tube when the SabakaSling. is being used to actually walk the dog.  

Simply adjust the handle loop for a comfortable grip by the owner/walker. You should never feel like you have to bend over or lift with your arm if the sling is correctly adjusted. This adjustment is solely for the human’s comfort, and has little effect on the leg loop adjustment. DO NOT TAKE TOO MUCH OF THE DOG’S WEIGHT WITH THE HANDLE!! The idea is to make the dog more comfortable and provide balance assistance. Allow the dog to support as much of their own body weight as possible. This promotes maintaining muscle tone, and promotes the exercise value of walking.  

There is no need to adjust the leg loops any looser for a male dog. Correctly adjusted leg loops are vital to prevent uncomfortable pressure on the testicles, and promote normal waste elimination from the penis. One thing to consider is that the SabakaSling. can not assist a male dog to “lift its leg” while urinating. By the time a SabakaSling. is necessary, most male dogs will have already resorted to squatting while urinating, as a result of dysplasia or osteoarthritis discomfort.

  I have received some useful comments and one quite nasty criticism regarding the SabakaSling. from individuals who claim greater familiarity with dog physiology that I do. They all regard the location of the leg loops as they run between the legs of the dog, where they contact the inner thigh area. It seems that there is a lot of vasculature in there, and the design of the SabakaSling. could impede the dog’s circulation in the rear legs. While I graciously acknowledge their greater expertise in this area, I can say that of the over 6000 viewers of this web site who have at least considered building and using a SabakaSling., not one has ever specifically cited this concern after extended use. In addition, I wonder about the safety of devices that put the entire body weight of the animal on a sling run under a dogs belly. All that weight, especially with an overweight animal, can’t be good for a dog’s internal organs, either. What would this significant weight do to the dog when it was time to eliminate solid or liquid waste? I admit that the SabakaSling. is not a perfect design, but it can compete with any rival design on its own merits. My personal use with Sabaka, as well as the collective experiences of all those who have made and used a SabakaSling for their own dogs proves, in my humble, uneducated opinion, the design’s safety and efficacy, when used as described in this web site. If you disagree, simply go to the web site of the author of that one nasty complaint regarding the SabakaSling., who also lives in San Diego and is a well-respected dog trainer and author of a book on dog training. He’ll be glad to SELL you one of his belly sling devices, at much more than a modest profit. Excuse me if I don’t link to his site. By the way, this detractor is most certainly NOT  San Diego’s Dr. Dennis Fetko, also known as Dr. Dog.  

Some dogs might not respond well to the SabakaSling., so it is not advisable for these animals. However, the greatest number of questions regarding use of the sling, as well as reported user “problems” can be traced to user mistakes, or their misunderstanding its use. Most dogs require MINIMAL training when introduced to the SabakaSling., but its use does require careful attention to adjustment and constant monitoring on the part of the owner for signs of discomfort from the dog. In most cases, readjustment will solve any problem on the part of the dog, as well as the owner.  

While the SabakaSling's. “learning curve” might seem formidable, on first use at least, it is worth the effort involved to master its adjustment and use. The many benefits for you and your dog will more than mitigate the effort required to learn to use it correctly.  

Please feel free to ask questions! I made this web site for the benefit of you and your dog. However, I admit that I do not respond to email inquiries on a daily basis.