How to Put the Harness on a Dog Correctly

Investing in a dog harness can be an excellent option, but before you get started, it’s important to learn how to put a dog harness on correctly. Indeed, in many cases, putting a harness on your dog can come with several key challenges – but with the right approach, you can ensure the harness fits snugly and comfortably for your and your pet’s enjoyment. What’s not to love?

How to Put The Harness on a Dog Correctly

Have you ever purchased a dog harness only to find that putting it on isn’t quite as simple as it appears? While it’s relatively easy to put a dog harness on, you’ll need to take care to avoid making a mistake with this process.

Investing in a High-Quality Harness

Of course, the first step is to purchase your perfect new dog harness. Dog harnesses come in many shapes and styles, but make sure your chosen harness is padded and has adjustable straps at both the neck and chest for your pet’s comfort. A non-padded harness can easily dig in while you’re out on a walk – especially if it’s not fitted correctly. As such, we can’t stress the importance of this enough! Why take the risk?

It’s also vital to measure your pet before purchasing their first harness. In short – if you buy a harness that’s too big or too small, it simply won’t fit properly, no matter how much you try and adjust it.

How to Put a Dog Harness On

Once you’ve got the ideal harness, putting it on your dog becomes a breeze.

#1. Lay the harness on the floor. 

While this might seem silly, it can help you better understand how the harness will fit.

#2. Stand behind your dog. 

Ideally, have your dog sitting or standing at this stage. Standing may be easier, but sitting may be necessary if they’re not very good at staying still.

#3. Place the neck of the harness over your pet’s head. 

Take care during this process not to go too quickly, as your pet may get a little nervous if they’re not used to having things pulled over their head. Anxious dogs may need extra reassurance at this stage. Once you have done so, you should notice that the D ring is on your pet’s back. Remember, this is where the lead will attach to your pet’s harness!

#4. Move your dog’s leg into the harness. 

Don’t go too quickly here; this can be a unique feeling for your pet. If lifting their paw through an existing leg hole, let them get used to standing on three legs before lifting their paw higher. Always be gentle when moving your pet’s legs like this. Repeat on both sides of the harness. However, if your harness has buckles, you can simply buckle and unbuckle these around the dog’s legs. Our own designs feature double chest buckles, so you won’t have to struggle with making your pet balance!

#5. Make sure all buckles are done up. 

Before you head out, it’s crucial you check that each strap and buckle on your pet’s harness is done up securely. Otherwise, your pet may be able to slip out of the harness, which could leave them running loose and at risk.

#6.  Attach the lead. 

Once the harness is in place and secure, simply attach your dog’s lead to the D ring, and you’re ready to go!

Practice Makes Perfect!

Image by: @chewkie_dood 

When fitting a new harness, practice makes perfect. This is true both for you and your pet! As such, we strongly recommend practising wherever possible to ensure the harness fits snugly. Leading your pet around the garden or house on their harness before heading out into the big, wide world can also help you ensure you’ve got good control over them.

Remember, a harness can offer much better control than a lead. However, if your pet has not been harness trained before, they may not understand it initially – so letting them learn how the harness works before relying on it may help.

Final Thoughts

While many people just rely on a collar and lead when walking their dog out, this can come with several significant drawbacks. Of course, it makes your dog much less visible, which is worth keeping in mind. However, the main benefit of a top-quality dog harness that fits correctly is often that it allows greater control over your pet while out on walks – providing both you and your furry friend with added safety and taking a weight off your mind so you can have a more enjoyable walking experience.

However, while a dog harness can often be a brilliant investment, it’s critical to consider here that it will only be good if you fit it properly. Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to learn how to put the harness on a dog, as we’ve covered today.

If you’d like to learn more pet-keeping tips and ideas, why not sign up for our Woof Frills newsletter? We’d love to have you on board, and we’ll keep you updated with all of the latest tips to make your life with a four-legged friend easier. Happy walking!

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