How to Put on a Dog Harness?

Safety and comfort are easily two of the most important prerequisites no matter which species we’re talking about. Just like humans are found to be happiest when these two factors are met, animals too require comfortable, safe, and secure wearables, especially when they head out of the house.

This is where a dog harness comes into the picture. Dog harnesses prove to be more gentle on the dog’s physique as they keep them held over a larger surface and ensure that they don’t feel intense pressure or pull in a specific area.

This encourages the factor of safety without compromising on comfort. So it is quite evident that buying a harness for your dog and making them wear it is crucial for their own good. But again, how do you put on a dog harness? This question has always kept dog owners from buying a harness. So, to help you with that, here’s a guide to help you find the best dog harness along with the right way of putting on a dog harness. Let’s get started!

First of all, what is a dog harness, and what is its significance?

Before we dive into the details of how to put on a dog harness, let’s understand what it primarily means and what its importance is.

Well, to begin with, a dog harness is a piece of wearable that usually surrounds the dog’s torso. It consists of a couple of straps that are worn by the dog in such a way that easy breathing space is allowed to the dog irrespective of the activity they are performing. It is nothing but a better alternative to the regular dog collar, which usually ties the dog around its neck. This creates greater tension in that area and may even cause difficulty in breathing to the dog. A harness, on the other hand, being surrounded around the torso ensures a more comfortable fitting. In addition to that, this torso also helps the dog understand the direction that they are supposed to head towards, and the owner has sufficient control over that.

Considering the problem that a harness can solve and avoid, dog owners are always advised to invest in a high-quality dog harness for their furry friend.

Here are the factors to consider when buying a dog harness:

How you can put on a dog harness is a question that can be addressed later because you first need to know and understand how to find the right harness for your dog. So here are the two most important factors that you should keep in mind as you go hunting for a suitable dog harness:

Quality of material

The quality of material used in the harness should always be prioritized because dogs usually tend to be a little destructive with their wearables or pretty much any object that comes their way. This is why it is best to invest in a good-quality harness made from highly durable material so that it lasts longer and you don’t have to buy a new one again and again.

Size and fit

Usually, a dog harness is quite adjustable. However, irrespective of those adjustment options and features, make sure you buy a harness that fits your dog perfectly with respect to its size and overall physique structure. It should not be too loose that the pet runs out of it, and it should not be too small either that it actually causes discomfort.

Here’s how to put on a dog harness:

Technically, the procedure to put on a dog harness depends on the kind of harness that you have purchased for your dog. There are many different types, such as the step-in dog harness, front-clip dog harness, etc. But we’re going to look at the most standard and commonly purchased one, which is the easiest to put on. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Calm your dog down

This is the foremost step and easily the most important one too. Make sure your dog is calm enough to put on the harness; otherwise, you may end up unknowingly hurting them.

Step 2: Sit and make your dog sit

Once the dog is calm, get them in a seated position, and you, too, sit behind the dog with the harness in your hands, ready to be put on anytime.

Step 3: Put the harness from the top

After having done that, hold the harness on top of the dog and make it wear from the top such that the D-ring comes at the dog’s back. If there is any need to make adjustments, now is the time.

Step 4: Let the loops go in

There would be two loops, one of which would be wider than the other. So that is the loop that will go first, and after that, the narrower loop will go in.

Step 5: Slip the legs in

Next up, lift your dog’s legs up and slip one of the legs in the loop going around the neck and the other in the loop going around the ribs.

Step 6: Buckle it up

Last but not least, buckle up the harness the way it is intended to be buckled. And make sure that the legs are comfortable and there is no intense pressure coming on the ribs and neck.

And just like that, you have successfully put on a harness on your dog!