A dog harness is a type of collar that, instead of wrapping only around the dog's neck, acts as a full harness, encircling the neck as well as the chest and hind legs of our four-legged friend. But how do you put a harness on a dog? Let's find out how to put a harness on a dog the right way…
Why use a dog harness
A dog harness is generally much more comfortable than a simple collar, especially for dogs that pull on the lead during walks, or for those that tend to back away frequently — perhaps puppies that have not yet overcome certain fears. A harness allows us to avoid hurting the dog and prevents the dog from hurting itself. Moreover, particularly if we have a large dog, it gives us the ability to take him out safely, perhaps combined with a muzzle where necessary.
On this point, we would like to remind you that the well-known "choke collars" — those used to walk more difficult dogs, fitted with a special slip knot that tightened as the dog pulled — are, quite rightly, prohibited by law. This makes the dog harness a truly excellent solution, both for small dogs with a delicate neck and for larger, more boisterous ones.
How do you put a harness on a dog?
The only small challenge that sometimes arises with a harness is getting your dog to wear it. At first it may seem a little complicated, and it undoubtedly takes a moment of time and patience to allow the dog to get used to this new accessory and for us to develop the right technique — but it will soon become a simple and natural thing. So let's look at how to put a harness on a dog. Are there any strategies? The first important thing to say is that there are several types of harness available on the market, each valid in its own way; we simply need to work out which one is best suited to our friend.
For this purpose, we think it is most useful to visit a pet shop together with our dog, so that we can try the various models directly on him and choose the most suitable one — especially if it is his first harness. In our view, a good harness should have at least two buckles to fasten it, which gives us a better hold on the dog, and a D-ring on the upper section, positioned between the shoulder blades for attaching the lead.
Ergonomic models have softer padding in the section that passes under the chest, so as not to irritate the dog. In any case, it is essential to make sure it is the right size for our friend, so remember that once it has been positioned and fastened, we should be able to slide two fingers between the dog's body and the harness at any point. It must not be too tight, so as not to risk injuring the dog, and at the same time it must not be too loose, so as not to risk it slipping off.
How to put a harness on a dog and types of harness
Step-in harnesses — those you put on through the legs — should be placed on the floor, open and with the buckles facing downward. The dog should be positioned with his hind legs in the two spaces designated for them, usually separated by the strap that will pass under the dog's chest. Once the dog is in position, simply slide the harness upward and fasten the two buckles over his back. Along the dog harness there will be small sliding adjusters that allow us to fit it to our dog's body, making it a perfect fit for him.
Over-the-head harnesses, on the other hand, are slightly more complex for a dog that is not used to them, but their effectiveness is worth the effort. To put it on, we need to guide the dog's head through the designated opening — and this is the trickiest part. Once this is done, the harness is passed under the chest and hind legs and then fastened, again on the back. Some harnesses also have four buckles, which makes them very easy to put on, though they are a little less common. Others are Y-shaped and are known as Norwegian harnesses, with a single side clip.
Putting a harness on a dog is very straightforward: simply pass the head through the opening, then slide the strap under the chest and fasten it just behind the front legs. Sometimes, if it feels too complicated, it can be helpful to watch a video tutorial on how to put a harness on a dog — although in reality it is not such a difficult task, and often it is simply a matter of giving the dog time to get used to it.
How to get a dog used to wearing a harness
How do you get a dog used to wearing a harness? With patience — that is the secret. Just as we did with the collar, let the dog make friends with it without trying to put it on him. You might place it on the floor with a little food inside and then step away. The first thing the dog needs to understand is that it is nothing to be afraid of. Do not subject him to unnecessary stress; gradually we will manage to get it on him, and we should always reward him with treats. For the first few times, leave it on him for only a short while — even unfastened if necessary. Once we have managed to fasten it correctly, let him walk around the house for a few minutes and then take it off. Only in this way will we eventually be able to put the harness on the dog for a walk.
Sometimes dogs take to it straight away, driven by curiosity; but if we push too hard they may regress and after a while refuse to wear it at all. The important thing is to read the dog's body language and, if we sense any fear, to respect his pace. Forcing him to wear the harness or scolding him for not managing it will only cause him to associate the object with an unpleasant experience, making everything more difficult.
