Some customer stories are about a single moment — a fire, an attack, a split-second save. This one is different. It's about three years. About cancer. About a dog who stands on the deck every night, looking south toward a hospital. And about a harness that's been there through all of it. Peter wrote to us three times. With his permission, here's Maverick's story — in Peter's own words.
Part 1: The Harness That Just Won't Quit
This is my 8yr old APBT Maverick with his harness. He loves his harness. It is an outstanding product and I have referred folks on the Reddit sub Pitbull to you guys because it is good quality. Lots of miles on that harness and it's just like new.
I have stage 4 cancer and I'm in remission but Maverick hasn't left my side except for my hospital time. The harness is exceptional. The attachments upper and lower and in the back are great and putting it on is so easy. And it's even very comfortable in the hot summer. So thank you guys for making such a good product.
— Peter
Part 2: 40 Days in the ICU, and a Dog Looking South
Thanks for the kind words. Something else is — before I got Maverick his harness, people sometimes would be nervous because he's a pibby. But, and this is really true, when people see him in his harness they relax. An unintended benefit.
Also, 2 years ago this week I entered UC Davis for a corrective surgery that had bad complications and I was in ICU for 40 days. Maverick is my phone's main screen and each night my wife said he would wake her to go out and he'd stand on the deck looking south to me as I had some horrific nights.
I came across your harness on Amazon of all places — always looking for something like this and I just liked the way it looked. I chose orange because I live in a very rural area and people hunt here so orange is a good color.
As I wrote before, sometimes people on the Reddit sub Pitbull have expressed problems with controlling their dog or what to get and I have suggested this many times. I don't know if people have taken that suggestion — I would hope they would.
And I'm not trying to flatter you. You make a wonderful product and I think you know this. All I know is that my dog and I appreciate it. I think he thinks he's a little more important when he's wearing it.
Part 3: Deep Snow, Hot Summers, and Getting Old Together
In any case, once again thank you very much for your kind words and really for a wonderful product. I will continue to recommend this. I haven't had any problems in I don't know 3 years or more.
He wears it winter and summer. He will have it on this winter over his new winter jacket because I like having the handles — we have deep snow that we hike in sometimes and it's kind of nice to have the handles. I have them on my little JRT trail girl too.
Thank you again and I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season. We are. I'm in remission and I work very hard to stay this way.
Here's something else — I hope this doesn't embarrass you guys too much but your harness makes it easier to get me and Maverick out. So take the credit. These days there's so little people want to be positive about. Take care.
Here's more pics of Maverick with harness. Some with mountains. We live a few miles from Burney Falls in NE California.
One of the benefits of this particular harness is that it's well vented. On a hot day like today, because we got out late, I was able to pour water on him and it cools him off.
Also, since he's getting older, sometimes it can be difficult for him to jump up into the Jeep. So he puts his front paws on the running board and I just grab the handle and pick him up. I have recommended this on Reddit in the hiking with dogs sub.
In the winter when it's snowing — we don't do rain anymore — but in the snow there are times when I put his waterproof jacket over his harness if it's not freezing cold. Otherwise he wears his winter jacket. It has to be pretty cold for that though.
But we're getting old. He turns nine on Friday. His partner Lucy, who is kind of little for any of your harnesses, just turned 10.
I truly hope that people will consider using one of your harnesses. I consistently hear from folks with pit bulls etc who don't understand how well a harness like this works and how confident it makes the dog because everything is under control.
Maverick loves his harness. He feels important when he's wearing it — like he's official.
When it's really super hot we don't wear it, just his collar. But he wears it 99% of the time. We don't go to the city very often with him or Lucy but he has worn it in the city and it works fantastically there because when people see the harness it looks official and then people stop and think maybe he's well trained — which he is — and then they relax.
My daughter has a very large Mastiff. I tried to talk them into getting one of your harnesses but they opted for cheaper? I don't think this was expensive. It wasn't — it was a very good deal. But whatever.
The harness is so well made and so easy to put on — there are no downsides that I have found. It specifically is really good on the trail because if I come across somebody then when they see him listening to commands and sitting and he has his harness on, they instantly relax. It just makes training easier and allows the dog to feel more confident.
Maybe that's something you guys can elaborate in your advertising. I would recommend this to anybody.
I chose orange because we live where there's hunting and makes him more visible. We hardly ever do the game trails anymore — we're just too old to go that many miles — but we used to. I didn't have the harness then. I wish I had it. I had a much less efficient harness back in the day.
Anyway, I hope this helps you guys. I hope you sell lots of harnesses and I hope your technical gear does well.
Many years ago when I was in the FD, I knew and had lots of friends in SO and I was in SAR as well, and I know they would have loved seeing this.
In any case, you can use my name. People, if they're interested to contact me, go to Reddit hiking with dogs — I'm usually posting there.
Why Peter's Story Matters: 7 Things We Learned From Maverick
Peter didn't write to us because something dramatic happened. He wrote because after three years, his harness was still like new — and he thought we should know. But tucked inside his emails are insights that every dog owner can learn from:
1. A Harness Can Change How People See Your Dog
This came up again and again in Peter's emails. Maverick is a Pit Bull. Before the harness, people were nervous. With the harness on, they relax. Peter called it an "unintended benefit" — but it makes sense. A tactical harness signals training, control, and responsibility. It tells strangers: this dog has an owner who's got it handled. For breeds that face unfair stigma, that signal matters.
2. "He Thinks He's More Important When He's Wearing It"
This line stopped us. Dogs pick up on routine and gear. When the harness comes out, it means a walk, an adventure, a job. Maverick doesn't just tolerate his harness — he feels official in it. That confidence translates to better behavior, which makes walks better for everyone.
3. The Grab Handle Isn't Just for Emergencies
We've shared stories of the grab handle saving dogs from car fires and dog attacks. Peter uses it differently: to help his aging dog into the Jeep, and to pull him out of deep snow. As dogs get older, mobility becomes an everyday challenge. A sturdy handle turns the harness into a mobility aid — no special equipment needed.
4. Ventilation Matters — Especially in Summer
Peter lives in rural Northern California. It gets hot. He pours water directly onto Maverick through the harness to cool him down, and the ventilated design lets it reach his skin. A solid, unvented harness would trap heat and moisture. This one works with the weather, not against it.
5. Three Years, No Problems
Not a torn strap. Not a failed buckle. Not a single issue. Peter's harness has been through summers, winters, deep snow, Jeep rides, and countless trails — and it's "just like new." That's not a review you can fake.
6. The Right Color Can Be a Safety Feature
Peter chose orange because people hunt where he lives. A bright, visible harness means Maverick won't be mistaken for wildlife on the trail. It's a simple choice that could prevent a tragedy.
7. A Harness Can Help You Keep Going
Peter is in remission from stage 4 cancer. He said the harness "makes it easier to get me and Maverick out." When you're fighting for your health, anything that lowers the barrier to getting outside — to moving, to living — is more than gear. It's part of your recovery.
The Harness Peter Trusts
Peter's harness is an older OneTigris model — but the features he relies on are available across our tactical harness line today:
| What Peter Needed | Which Harness Fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Durability for 3+ years | FIRE WATCHER K9 | 1000D nylon, reinforced stitching, built for years of daily use |
| Full-body coverage & control | X DESTROYER K9 | Metal buckles, triple grab handles, chest & back D-rings |
| Ventilation for hot climates | AIRE Mesh Harness | Full mesh construction, lightweight, breathable in summer heat |
| High-visibility colors | BEAST MOJO | Available in bright orange and other hi-vis colors — ideal for rural & hunting areas |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a OneTigris harness last?
With proper care, years. Peter's harness has been through three years of regular use — including deep snow, hot summers, Jeep rides, and hiking — and he says it's "just like new." The 1000D nylon used in models like the FIRE WATCHER and X DESTROYER is the same material used in military-grade equipment.
Will a harness help people feel less nervous around my Pit Bull?
Peter noticed this immediately. A well-fitted tactical harness signals that a dog is trained and under control. It's not a solution for breed stigma, but it communicates to strangers that you're a responsible owner — and that can change the energy of every interaction.
Can I use the grab handle to lift my older dog into the car?
Yes — this is one of the most practical everyday uses for the grab handle. As dogs age, jumping into vehicles becomes difficult. The handle lets you support their weight and guide them up gently. For dogs that need more mobility assistance, the GLADIATOR Support Harness is purpose-built for this.
What color harness is best for visibility?
Orange or bright red are the best choices if you live in a rural or hunting area — they stand out against foliage and won't be mistaken for wildlife. For urban nighttime walks, look for harnesses with reflective trim. The FIRE TANKER and many BEAST MOJO colorways include reflective striping.
Does the harness help with training?
Peter said it best: the harness makes the dog feel "official" and more confident, which makes training easier. Combined with front and back D-ring attachment points, a tactical harness gives you more control and clearer communication with your dog — especially on trails where you need reliable commands.
Peter and Maverick's story shared with permission. Peter can be found on the Reddit r/hikingwithdogs community, where he regularly recommends OneTigris gear. We are honored to play a small role in their journey — and grateful beyond words that Peter is in remission.
Have your own story to share? Tag us @onetigris with #GOwith1TG or send us an email. We read every single one — and sometimes, we write back.
