How to Properly Fit a Dog Harness for Comfort and Safety

Choosing the right dog harness is a great step towards safer, more comfortable walks and adventures with your furry friend here in New Zealand. But selecting the perfect style is only half the battle; ensuring it fits correctly is crucial for your dog's well-being and the harness's effectiveness. An ill-fitting harness can cause discomfort, chafing, or even allow a determined pup to slip free.

As NZ's pet experts, we at Petdirect want to help you get it right. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to properly fit a dog harness, whether you have a tiny puppy, a small dog, or a large dog.

Understanding the Importance of Proper Fit

Why is getting the fit spot-on so important?

• Comfort: A harness that's too tight can dig into your dog's skin, restrict movement, or cause chafing and irritation, especially around the armpits or chest. A harness that's too loose can also rub and chafe as it shifts around.
• Safety: A loose harness presents a significant escape risk. A panicked or excited dog could potentially back out of a poorly fitted harness, especially near traffic or other hazards. A properly fitted harness stays securely in place.
• Effectiveness: For harnesses designed with specific functions, like no-pull harnesses with front clips, the correct fit is essential for them to work as intended. If it's too loose, the guiding mechanism won't engage properly.
• Health: A well-fitted harness distributes pressure across the chest and shoulders, avoiding strain on the delicate neck area, unlike traditional collars. It shouldn't restrict breathing or natural shoulder movement, which is vital for joint health.

Types of Dog Harnesses

There's a wide variety of dog harness styles available in NZ. Understanding the common types helps in choosing and fitting:

• Back-Clip Harnesses: Leash attaches to a D-ring on the dog's back. Great for calm dogs, easy walks, and don't interfere with the leash path.
• Front-Clip (No-Pull) Harnesses: Leash attaches to a D-ring on the dog's chest. Designed to gently discourage pulling by redirecting the dog's momentum towards you. Fit is critical for effectiveness.
• Dual-Clip Harnesses: Offer both front and back attachment points for versatility.
• Step-In Harnesses: Easy to put on for dogs who dislike things going over their head. The dog steps into the loops, and it clips on their back.
• Over-the-Head Harnesses: Common style that slips over the head and clips around the torso. Often offer more adjustment points.

Dog Harness for Small Dogs

When looking for a dog harness for small dogs, focus on lightweight materials and designs that won't overwhelm their smaller frames. Ensure buckles and straps aren't too bulky. Proper fit is key to prevent them wriggling out.

Large Dog Harness

For a large dog harness, durability and strength are paramount. Look for sturdy materials, reinforced stitching, and strong hardware. Padded straps can enhance comfort for bigger dogs who might pull harder. No-pull designs are often popular for larger breeds.

Puppy Harness

A puppy harness needs to be lightweight and comfortable to help your pup get used to wearing one. Since puppies grow quickly, choose an adjustable puppy harness style, but be prepared to size up as they grow. Never use a harness that's too big or too small.

Measuring Your Dog for a Harness

Accurate measurements are the foundation of a good fit. Don't guess based on breed alone!

Key Measurements to Take

The most crucial measurement is the chest girth. This is the circumference of the widest part of your dog's ribcage, usually just behind the front legs. Some harnesses also require a neck measurement around the base where a collar would sit.

Tools You’ll Need

• Soft Fabric Measuring Tape: A flexible tape measure like those used for sewing is ideal. Don't use a metal construction tape measure.
• Your Dog: And maybe a few treats to keep them still!

How to Measure:

1. Have your dog stand comfortably.
2. Chest Girth: Wrap the tape measure around the widest part of their chest/ribcage, just behind the front legs. The tape should be snug, but not tight.
3. Neck Circumference (if needed): Measure around the base of the neck where the harness will sit. Again, snug but not tight.
4. Note down the measurements.

Step-by-Step Fitting Process

Before you buy a dog harness, use your dog's measurements and the manufacturer's size chart, to fit it properly.

Choosing the Right Size

Always compare your dog's measurements to the specific brand's sizing chart. If your dog falls between sizes, check the manufacturer's recommendation – some suggest sizing up, others down. An adjustable harness offers more flexibility.

Adjusting Straps for Comfort

Most harnesses have multiple adjustment points (neck, chest, sometimes back).

1. Loosen Straps: Before putting the harness on for the first time, loosen all the straps slightly.
2. Put Harness On: Gently place the harness on your dog (either over the head or by having them step in, depending on the style). Secure the buckles.
3. Adjust Neck Straps (if applicable): Tighten the neck straps so they are snug but allow you to fit two fingers underneath. Ensure it's not tight enough to restrict breathing or cause coughing.
4. Adjust Chest/Girth Straps: Tighten the straps around the chest. Again, aim for the 'two-finger rule' – you should be able to slide two fingers comfortably between the harness strap and your dog's body.
5. Check Overall Fit: The harness should sit centrally on your dog's back and chest, without twisting or excessive movement.

Ensuring Proper Placement

The harness should sit clear of the sensitive armpit area to prevent chafing. The chest strap should lie across the breastbone, and the girth strap should sit well behind the front legs. Ensure straps aren't digging in anywhere.

Common Fitting Mistakes to Avoid

• Too Loose: Allows the harness to rotate, slip, or chafe, and increases the risk of escape.
• Too Tight: Restricts breathing and movement, causes discomfort, chafing, and skin irritation.
• Incorrect Placement: Straps rubbing in armpits or pressure points on the neck/throat.
• Ignoring the Two-Finger Rule: The easiest way to check for snugness without being too tight.
• Not Re-Checking Fit: Dogs can gain or lose weight, and puppies grow! Check the fit periodically.
• Not Testing Indoors: Let your dog wear the harness inside for short periods first to ensure comfort and security before heading out.

Taking the time to measure and fit your dog's harness correctly ensures many happy, safe, and comfortable walks together. If you need any help choosing or fitting, our Petdirect customer service team is always happy to assist!