How to Properly Fit Your Dog For a Harness
A dog harness is increasingly becoming considered an essential piece of equipment for any dog owner. It helps to keep your furry friend safe and secure while on walks, hikes, or other outdoor activities. Is it better to walk your dog with a harness or a collar? Well, a dog harness is the leading choice for dog walking. Superior to a dog collar, which is more suited to use for it’s ability to exhibit your dog’s ID tag. Vets, trainers and other pet professionals prefer a dog harness when walking because it is more secure, and prevents neck strain. It also acts as a weight distributor. Think about it: your dog using their force to pull you along with only their neck (if they are wearing a collar) is much more even when a harness is applied because more straps = strain applied evenly across their body!
However, because there are more straps and buckles, putting a dog harness on can be tricky, especially if your dog is new to wearing one (and you are new to fitting one). In this blog post, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to put a dog harness on properly.
It's important to properly fit your dog's harness. It helps with comfort, harness durability and training!
Step 1: Choose the Right Harness
Before you can put a harness on your dog, you need to make sure you have the right one. What is the best type of dog harness? Well, there are many different types of harnesses available, each designed for a specific purpose. For example, a front-clip harness is great for dogs that tend to pull on their leash, while a back-clip harness is ideal for dogs that walk nicely on a leash. It's important to choose a harness that fits your dog's needs and size. The ST ARGO dog harness has both a front AND back attachment for ease of use. You will also want to consider the size of your dog. A small Dachshund or Cavoodle for example, will need a harness that is lightweight and does not weigh them down when they are learning to walk. The same will need to be chosen for a puppy learning how to use a harness. For small breed puppies, the ST ARGO Extra-Small harness will be a great fit. Also consider whether you are walking your dog at night and choose a harness that has reflective sections, or is brightly coloured (like our ST ARGO Ruby Red harness). Check out our size guide before selecting a harness, and measure your dog beforehand, if possible. If you know your dog will be swimming in his/her harness, choose a harness that is advertised as water-proof and suitable for use in the ocean.
A properly fitted harness will be your (and your dog's) favourite accessory and make walking a pleasure!
Step 2: Get Your Dog Ready
Before you put the harness on your dog, you should make sure they are calm and relaxed. If your dog is excited or anxious, it will be much harder to get the harness on. Take a few minutes to play with your dog or give them some attention to help them relax. If your dog is very anxious, you may want to give them a calming treat or wait until they are in a more relaxed state. This is especially important when training your dog to wear a harness for the first time. You do not want the harness to represent a stressful situation - so make it fun!
The back leash attachment (shown) is best for well-trained walkers who don't pull. The front attachment is preferable for dog training.
Step 3: Put the Harness on Your Dog
Now that your puppy or dog is relaxed, it's time to put the harness on! Start by sliding the neck strap of your ST ARGO dog harness (smaller strap) over your dog’s neck. Now the dog harness is half on. You will notice that the chest strap needs to be adjusted and fastened.
Step 5: Adjust the Chest Strap
After you have slipped the neck strap over your dog, you will need to adjust the chest strap and buckle on using our traditional buckle closure. Adjust the chest strap so that it is not too loose or too tight. You should be able to fit two fingers between the strap and your dog's fur or skin. Check that the harness is sitting in the correct position on your dog's body. The harness should sit snugly against your dog's body, without any gaps or spaces. If there is excess strap because you have had to tighten the harness to a tight-fitting hole, simply push the excess strap under one of our loops that we have to secure it in place so that it does not distract your dog when on a walk. The ST ARGO embossed logo should be at the top of your dog's back, ready for a leash attachment!
The ST ARGO dog harness tummy strap is slightly thicker than the rest of the harness. This helps with comfort and weight distribution!
Step 6: Attach the Leash
Finally, it's time to attach the leash to the harness. The ST ARGO harnesses have a D-ring on the back and front where you can attach the leash. Select which side you would like to fit the leash on to (back or front), remembering that a front attachment prevents pulling by spinning your dog to face you every time they tug, whilst the back is better for calm walkers. Make sure the leash is securely attached before you start walking your dog.
Putting a harness on your dog can be a little bit tricky, especially if you've never done it before and your dog is getting used to it too. But with a little bit of practice and patience, you can quickly become an expert at putting on your dog's harness. Remember to choose the right harness for your dog's needs and size, and to adjust the harness properly after putting it on your dog, securing down that excess strap is important too. With these simple steps, you can keep your furry friend safe and secure while enjoying all of your outdoor adventures together.
Shop our range of luxury vegan leather dog harnesses for your fluffy bestie today!
Size Reference: A Size Small on this Mini Poodle (4.5kg)
