How To Fit A Dog Harness Correctly: An Easy Guide
A dog harness is an excellent investment for our furry friends. Back in the days, leashes and collars were used to handle your dogs in public. However, innovations and modern solutions in the pet industry made way to the creation of the dog harness. In this article, you’ll learn how to fit a dog harness correctly.
Why Should Our Dogs Have Harnesses?
There are many reasons why harnesses should be provided for the dog. Not only they provide lifting, but they can be a good choice to prevent choking in dogs. One good thing about harnesses is that it distributes the weight of your dog evenly and ensures that your dog doesn’t get entangled.
Dog harness also provides a better alternative for a leash. They have different detachable parts that you could just easily attach your leash once playtime or training is over. Harness in dogs offers you additional areas where you can grab your dog over a fence, a rock, onto the car, and everything else.
Choosing the Right Size for Your Dog Harness
Once you find yourself buying a dog harness, the important part is choosing the right harness size for your dog. To fit your dog with their harness, there are a few measurements required:
- Neck - By using a tape measure, find the largest part of your dog’s neck to get an accurate finding.
- Chest - Wrap your tape measure around your dog’s rib cage and cycle it through once it reaches the other end of the measuring tape.
- Weight - In some cases, the weight of the dog is usually used for the harness guide. However, the most accurate measurements are always the chest and neck.
Types of Dog Harnesses
There are several types of dog harnesses that are out in the market. This depends on the owner’s preference. Whatever suits them both will be fine anyways
Step-In Harness
As the name suggests, your cute little dog easily steps right in on the strap. The straps are easily attachable and fit right through the top and bottom front legs of your dog. This type of harness is fastened with a clasp, and the clips are pulled up and over the shoulders.
Overhead Harness
Overhead harness usually focuses on the neck and head of your dog. It has a variety of adjustable straps that fit around the neck of your dog. The same principles of the step-on harness apply in the overhead harness, pull the harness over your dog’s head and fasten the strap around the belly and shoulder.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Harness
Before buying a dog harness, it is important to take note of the following:
Fabrics
It plays an important role in the overall durability and use of your harness. If you find that you will mostly use it underwater, then a quick-drying fabric might be the best option for you. Choosing the best fabric for your dog makes a whole lot different from them.
Strap Lengths
The length of the strap varies from dogs to dogs. If you find that your dog has an average built, strap lengths should be on average too. However, depending on the owner, if they want to tag along with their dogs whenever they want to jog, a long strap will go a long way.
D or 0-Ring-Positioned Harness
There are two most notable types of shaped-harness, one is the D, and the other in is 0-shaped. They are usually positioned around the should blades of your dog, right in the middle of the chest.
Why Is It Important for Your Dogs to be Properly Fitted?
Same as for humans, when we find ourselves improperly fitted, it causes uneasiness and comfortability issues altogether. Also, it may cause soreness around the dog's body, especially when it is extremely tight. Having too tight of a fit may cause restriction of their movement and may prevent them from using their muscles properly.
Also, it is important how to fit a dog harness correctly to prevent your dog from getting out of its harness. One good thing about harnesses is that many adjustable straps can easily fit right into the size of your dog.
Tell-Tale Signs of a Poor Fit Harness
If you happen to notice this kind of behavior your dog exhibits, these might be signs that your dog is improperly fitted. This includes:
- Sore chest, armpits, and other body parts that are in contact with the straps.
- Bare patches or noticeable difference from other furs that were touched by the straps.
- Movable straps easily dislodge when your dog runs/walks.
- A change in movement. Easily noticeable when your dog runs/walks. Dogs were having a hard time moving.
How to Properly Fit an Overhead Harness for your Dog
To avoid any discomfort to your dog when you introduce Overhead Harness, follow these useful tips to know how to fit a dog harness correctly:
- Before fitting them directly, loosen up the straps to easily slip it over your dog’s head.
- Gently slip your dog’s head through the neckpiece.
- The straps between the legs and under the belly should be arranged accordingly.
- Fasten the buckles on both sides
- Configure the harness to have a snug fit for your dog. Be sure not to tighten it too much.
- A rule of thumb, when you can fit your two fingers around the harness of your dog, you’re good to go!
How to Properly Fit a Step-in Harness for your Dog
This time, if you opt for Step-in harness for your dogs, follow these tips to understand how to fit a dog harness correctly.
- Lay the harness on the floor and unbuckle all the harness
- After that, put your dog’s left foot in the remaining loops, and right foot in the right loops.
- Slowly lift the harness to your dog’s body.
- Take the straps around your dog’s body to their back.
- Fasten all the buckles
- Step-in harness has adjustment points, use this to fit the dog properly. Make sure it is snug enough.
- A rule of thumb, when you can fit your two fingers around the harness of your dog, you’re good to go!
Conclusion
How to fit a dog harness correctly is quick and easy. You only need to follow our guidelines to make your fitting is a smooth one. Always remember that as an owner, you have to provide them with the best that you can provide. That’s why buying a dog harness and learning how to fit a dog harness correctly is an excellent idea, and it only shows how good of an owner you are.