How Do I Put On A Dog Harness: A Step By Step Guide
Dogs have a charming way of making our life meaningful and beautiful. If you're a fur-mom or dad, then for sure, you probably were able to ask yourself at one time the question, "how do I put on a dog harness"? From those glorious mornings walks to road trips, these furkids without a doubt enjoy being outdoors. But for some, putting a harness on their furkids can be a nightmare. While a fancy collar leash might be more comfortable to put on them, attaching a leash to your furbaby's neck could be dangerous. This is why you need to use a harness and also master the art of putting one.
Types of Dog Harness
Before we answer your question on, "how do I put on a dog harness," let us first know the various types of dog harness. Yes, it's not as simple as you thought. When you search dog harness online, you will notice that there are several types.
- Standard dog harness - There are standard dog harness designs that fasten at the back of your dog's neck while some fasten around the girth.
These straps are usually adjustable and made of nylon. They come in various colors and have a D ring to attach the leash, and it usually sits on their back - Step-in dog harness - The step-in harness is perfect for dogs who are a little circumspect of over-head harnesses.
This type of harness has holes for the paws, and then the clips fasten over the shoulders. It can be a little more complicated to get this one the right way around. Because they come with adjustable straps, you should fit them to their chest and over their shoulders. - Front clip dog harness - This type of harness is the most common choice for larger dogs going through training. Owners are told to use a double-ended leash - one attached to the front and one at the back of the harness. The idea for this is that you can off-balance your dog if they become too difficult to manage. This is also good if you're practicing the idea of opposition reflex on your dog, which is an instinct to push or pull against something doing the opposite. By having these two points fo control, you stand more chance of guiding your dog to your wanted behavior.
- Overhead harness - If you want your dog to strut the latest dog fashion, then an overhead harness is the perfect choice as they often come in a range of colorful designs and nifty patterns. They also come with more padding across the body, which dog owners prefer for comfort. Make sure to measure your dog's girth and neck first before buying, so you can get the perfect fit for your furkid. How do I put on a dog harness using this design, you ask? As its name suggests, your dog puts his head through the neck hole while you secure the harness by clips on the girth strap. They have adjustable straps so you can ensure they fit your dog. To make sure it is comfortable, fit your two fingers between your dog and the harness at any point.
This harness is popular with large breeds or those less-mobile dogs if you want to guide them step in and out of vehicles.
Note: These types of harness will also depend on several factors like their health, disposition, and temperament.
How to Put on the Harness?
Now that you’re familiar with the different types of harness for your furkids, it’s now time to finally answer that question of “how do I put on a dog harness.” If you’re still new to this whole thing, consider the following steps.
Take out the harness that you've purchase and leave it on the floor for your dog to sniff and explore.
Intermittently throw some dog treats towards the harness. You can lure your dog with a treat towards the harness and then carry on with whatever you are doing.
Once your dog isn't bothered anymore, you can now attempt to introduce the harness.
When using an overhead harness, lure the dog's head through the hole with some treats. Take it off again and reward. Repeat this several times.
When using a step-in harness, leave it on the floor and lure her into walking over it. Give reward and repeat.
After several (10) attempts of fixing the harness and removing immediately, place the harness on your dog's body and reward. Do this again for several times.
Finally, secure the clips of the harness and reward.
Give your dog a chew or a kong to distract them from the harness. Repeat this step over and over like ten (10) more times.
Let your dog wear the harness around the house. You can even give your dog a meal or a chew while wearing it to help them get used to it. Remove it as soon as your dog is finished.
Once your dog has accepted it, attach the leash and walk your dog around the house or your yard. Don't forget to reward regularly.
If you are confident that your dog has accepted it, they are now ready to venture out into the big wide world. Chances are, your dog will be that interested in everything else.
Conclusion
Besides the harness and the leash, there's one other essential factor you need to answer your question on how do I put on how do I put on a dog harness. And that is patience, and I mean oodles of it. Some furkids may get it right the first try, and others might not like harnesses even after a long time of using one. Have patience and continue to reward good dog behavior. This is a foolproof way to trick your furbaby into loving, or at least be open with the idea of wearing a harness. Picking the perfect harness for your dog takes an understanding of their temperament and size, make sure you get the correct one.
Picking the best harness for your dog takes an understanding of your dog's temperament and also the size of the dog. Remember, a harness is a tool to start your amazing pet-parent journey!