How to Put on a Dog Harness: a Simple Instruction

We’ve prepared a detailed guide for dog owners, who have no experience in using dog harnesses. Though the procedure can seem pretty simple, there are some important things to consider. If your dog has never worn a harness before, we recommend to follow the instruction on how to put on a dog harness without missing any steps to make harness-training easy and stress-free.

1. Unpack a new harness and put it on the floor or near your pup’s food dish or lair. Let your dog sniff and touch it (but keep an eye on it to prevent chewing!) A dog needs to get familiar with the new object before trying it on.
2. Use positive reinforcement by placing treats near the harness.
3. Continue throwing treats toward the harness occasionally to strengthen positive associations.
4. Make sure your canine has a positive view of the harness. If so, try to introduce the harness to it.
5. Slip the harness over the pet’s head quickly. After that, encourage it with stroking and treats. Take it off and put on several times. Give treats every time.
6. If you use a step-in option type of a harness, put in on the floor and make your pup step in it. Reward the dog with a treat, and then repeat several times.
7. After 10 or so successful attempts, try to place the harness on the dog’s body. Calm it down by stroking and giving treats.
8. Fasten the harness with Velcros or clips quickly. Let your dog stay in the harness for some time.
9. Repeat this step several times. If your pup looks worried, try to shift its focus of attention on something else, for example, chewing a bone.
10. Let your canine walk around the home in the harness for a while to get used to the new sensations. You may repeat this exercise several days in a row.
11. Once you see that your dog feels comfortable wearing the harness, attach a leash and make your first outdoor walk.

Depending on the dog’s temper, harness training can take from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Don’t try to facilitate the process if you see that your pup is not ready for walking in a harness yet. Your patience will be rewarded soon.

(Video) How to Put on a Dog Harness: a Step-by-Step

How to Choose the Type of a Dog Harness

There are several types of dog harnesses, depending on their design. They are different in the way they are put on and secured. The most popular types are the following:

• standard harnesses;
• step-in harnesses;
• overhead harnesses;
• front clip harnesses.

A key tip I’ll give you is always to try and find the top of the harness. Almost all harnesses, except for the Halti front leader, typically have the buckle where the leash attaches at the top on the dog’s back.

Choosing the best type depends on the dog’s body/head shape, size, build, physical health, and temper. For example, if a dog has problems with its neck, you’d better opt for chest-cross front clop or step-in harnesses to minimize the pressure on the neck, especially if you are going to put on a dog harness on a puppy. Overhead harnesses are good for well-trained pups, while nervous dogs can be scared by the straps that are slipped over the head.

Standard Harnesses

This is a classic dog harness made of nylon straps that are wrapped around the neck and the chest. The two loops meet on the back and are attached to each other with another short strap. A D-ring for attaching a leash is also placed on the back (between the shoulders). Fitting a standard harness is pretty simple. You need to measure the neck girth and chest girth of your pup. Choose the size relying on the size chart, which can be found on the manufacturer’s site. Besides, the harnesses of this type are fully adjustable, so fitting them is not a problem. To check the fitting try to place your fingers between the straps and the pup’s body. There must be enough space for two fingers.

Step-In Harnesses

A step-in harness is the one that comes with holes for front legs. Once your dog steps in the holes, you can quickly fasten it on the shoulders. They are good for well-trained dogs that understand what they should do. Exactly like standard harnesses, the step-in options are fully adjustable and come in several sizes.

Fitting a step-in harness is as easy as fitting a standard harness. You must be able to place two fingers between the straps and the body of your dog. It’s recommended to check the fit from time to time: if it becomes too loose, your tricky dog can escape.

Overhead Harnesses

This category, probably, boasts the largest diversity. They come in a variety of styles and colors: padded and nylon, V-shaped and straight straps, with Velcro fastenings and buckles, and so on. The main distinctive feature of overhead harnesses is a loop that is slipped over the head. A dog puts its head in this loop, after which you wrap a chest strap around its body and fasten it. By the way, overhead harnesses are similar to life vests in terms of their design, so if you are planning water activities in the future, you won’t have to retrain the dog. Overhead harnesses (they are sometimes referred to as jackets) are easy to adjust. Before buying a harness, measure your dog’s neck and chest girth and use the manufacturer’s size chart.

Front Clip Harnesses

Front clip harnesses are designed for large, strong or very stubborn dogs that are hard to control. They can come in a variety of types, but the main idea is the availability of another D-ring on the chest and a double-ended leash. The leash is attached at two points simultaneously – on the back and on the chest, making it easier to control a dog. An extra control point lets you off-balance your pooch when needed. Front clips harnesses are often made of durable nylon straps that are fully adjustable. You can use the same method of two fingers to fit the harness properly.

Dog owners often ask questions about dog harnesses, their features, and benefits. We’ve gathered some popular questions in our FAQ section.

To Sum It Up

No matter what type of dog harness you opt for, make sure your pup feels comfortable in it. Check how do you put a harness on a dog? Don’t you cause pain or discomfort to your pup? Don’t try to facilitate the training – be patient and persistent. With the right approach, a harness will become a useful assistant in the outdoor adventures of your dog and you.

Attention!

Robert Herrera

If you still have questions after reading the article, do not hesitate to ask questions.

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