How to Properly Fit a Dog Harness?

If you are a dog owner, you must have a harness for your dog. Without a proper leash, controlling your dog in public spaces can be quite challenging. However, if the harness does not fit your dog correctly, it can cause discomfort for your pet and bring serious safety risks.

A well-fitted harness provides better control over your dog, especially in outdoor settings, and ensures that they are comfortable during walks. In this blog, we will discuss how you can ensure proper harness fitting for your dog and what is the right type of harness for your beloved pet.

Let’s explore. 

Steps to Ensure Proper Harness Fitting

Different dog breeds have different sizes. Therefore, there is no harness that fits all sizes. You need to properly measure your dog for the harness size and find the most appropriate one. Here is our guide to properly measuring your dog to ensure comfort and safety.

1. Measure Your Dog by the Size of Harness

Finding the right-sized harness for your dog is crucial. While a tight harness can cause discomfort, a loose one does not offer sufficient control. This allows your dog to escape from you and fall into serious accidents.

So, take a soft measuring tape and start measuring your dog.

Chest Measurement:

Measure the largest part of your dog's chest. Hold the tape right behind your dog’s front legs, bring it up over its back, and then bring the tape where you have started originally. 

Keep the measuring tape snug but not tight. Record the measurement. This is the correct way to measure the length of your dog’s chest. 

Neck Measurement:

Some specific types of harnesses and leashes may require your dog’s neck size. Simply wrap the tape measure around the base of your dog’s neck, much lower than its collar would sit normally.

Your measurement should be along the thickest part of your dog’s neck. Keep the tape tight but this should not be restrictive. Record this number.

Weight Measurement: 

Knowing your dog's weight can help in selecting the correct harness size as well. It also gives you an idea of which harness should be strong enough for your dog. Some manufacturers also use weight ranges for their sizing charts.

Put your dog on a scale and record its weight. Now you are ready to get a harness for your dog.

Here is a size chart that you should follow when getting a harness for your pet dog.

2. Choosing the Right Type of Harness

Harnesses help you to do a massive range of activities with your dog, including walking, hiking, and car travel. It also prevents escaping as a proper harness does not let your dog slip through it. However, you do need to choose the right type of harness for your dog. 

The right type of harness helps manage your dog’s behavior. Additionally, if your dog has any health issues, it may need a certain type of harness. Let’s discuss some common types of harnesses: 

Back Clip Harnesses

A back-clip harness features a leash attachment point located on the dog’s back, near their shoulder blades. This design allows for a more natural range of motion, making it comfortable for dogs during walks or other activities. 

This harness is easy to put on and take off, making it a popular choice among dog owners. The main advantage of a back-clip harness is that it reduces strain on the dog’s neck and throat, making it ideal for small dogs or those with delicate tracheas. 

However, it may not be effective for dogs that tend to pull on the leash, as it doesn’t offer as much control as a front-clip harness. Additionally, while it is comfortable for most dogs, it might not be suitable for training purposes, where you will need more control

Front Clip Harnesses

Front clip harnesses are designed with a leash attachment point located on the dog’s chest. This helps to redirect the dog’s forward motion, making it easier to guide and control during walks.

These harnesses are very effective for training your dog. You can discourage your dog from doing something by pulling by turning the dog back towards you. If your dog has a tendency to pull or lunge, this is the most fitting harness for your pet. 

On the other hand, this harness can cause the leash to tangle more easily compared to back clip harnesses. Your dog can find this harness uncomfortable in the beginning. Therefore, it will need an adjustment period.

Dual Clip Harnesses

If you want versatility in control and training, a dual-clip dog harness is your best pick. It offers leash attachment points both on the front and back of the harness. Thus, you can switch between the front clip and the back clip to get the advantage of both the back-clip harness and the front-clip harness.

These harnesses are often padded to provide comfort and adjustable to fit different sizes of dogs. You can use a front clip to train your dog and a back clip for casual walks.

However, these harnesses are complex to use and may need some adjustment time for both the dog and the owner. 

Step-In Harnesses

If you have a fearful dog or it resists having something go over their head, a step-in harness is the best choice for you. This harness is designed to be worn by placing your dog’s front paws through two loops. Once the paws are in, the harness can be pulled up and buckled over your dog’s back.

Since this harness doesn’t go over the head, it avoids any potential neck discomfort. It is less intimidating for dogs, and putting it on your dog is very simple. All your dog needs to do is step into them.

However, this harness may not provide as much control as front-clip or back-clip harnesses. Also, over-excited dogs might find it challenging to step into the loops. 

Vest Harnesses

A vest harness is a type of dog harness that provides extra coverage, like a sleeveless jacket. Vests minimize friction and redistribute pressure across the dog’s chest. You get better control while walking your dog in this harness, as it reduces pulling pressure on your dog’s neck and spine.

These harnesses are comfortable, lightweight, yet durable. Some vest harnesses feature reflective elements to enhance nighttime visibility.

However, in hot weather, this vest may conserve heat which can cause discomfort for your dog. Dogs with specific health issues may not be able to wear this harness.

Tightening Harness

If your dog pulls on the leash frequently, you can get a tightening harness to train it. Whenever your dog pulls on the leash, the harness constricts slightly to create discomfort and discourage pulling behavior.

As this harness discourages pulling behavior, it makes walks more enjoyable. It is very easy to use and adjust to fit your dog properly.

If your dog has sensitivity issues or existing pain, this harness may not be suitable for it. You will also need to ensure that the harness doesn’t get excessively tight.

Head Halter Harness

A head halter, also known as a head collar, fits over a dog’s nose and neck. It consists of two loops: one high on the neck behind the ears and the other encircling the dog’s snout or muzzle. This design reduces your dog’s pulling strength and offers you better control during walks.

Head halters guide or lead the dog, making it easier to redirect reactive behavior during walks. However, some dogs may find the pressure too much. Also, you will need to teach your dog proper leash manners; otherwise, it may start pulling again once the head halters are removed. 

Freedom No-Pull Harness

The freedom no-pull harnesses feature a patented control loop on the back. This loop gently tightens around your dog’s chest when they pull, discouraging them from doing so. It offers a comfortable fit for your dog, minimizing neck strain.

As the harness reduces pulling, it allows you to maintain better control during walks. It is also very suitable for various weather conditions.

On the other hand, you will still need to teach your dog proper leash behavior as some dogs may go back to pulling behavior once this harness is removed. Some dogs will need time to adjust to the pressure on their chest.

3. Understanding the Right Fitting

A properly fitted harness should allow you to slip two fingers under any strap. It should be snug without causing any chafing or movement restriction. Watch your dog's behavior: if they seem comfortable and can move freely, the harness is likely a good fit.

Here are some signs that your dog’s harness is not fitting right:

• If your dog is not walking properly, there may be some restrictions caused by the harness
• Some dogs may not want to get in the harness or refuse to walk if it is not comfortable
• If you see any friction marks, rashes, or hair loss, it is a clear sign that the harness is too tight for your dog
• Sliding or falling off the harness indicates it is not fitting your dog properly
• Rotating the back piece of the harness to one side suggests that your dog could escape the harness
• If your dog could escape from the harness, it suggests that the harness is not perfect for your dog

Final Words

As a dog parent, it is your duty to keep your pet safe. A harness helps significantly in this manner. You can train your dog to stop misbehaving in public and go to different activities with the help of a perfect harness.

Remember, regularly check the fit of your dog's harness, especially if they are still growing or if their weight changes. A well-fitted harness is key to a happy and safe adventure with your furry friend. Happy walking!