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How to Select a Harness for Your Dog

A dog harness can make all the difference whether you just got a new dog or are looking for a better way to train them to walk alongside you instead of pulling ahead.

Collars and leashes can cause neck and throat strain in your dog. A dog harness, on the other hand, can assist prevent injuries such as choking and hacking. Furthermore, a dog harness is an excellent item to use when walking, running, or hiking with your dog because it makes these activities safer and more pleasurable for all parties involved.

What to Consider When Choosing a Dog Harness

There are many various sizes and designs of dog harnesses available. It’s critical to think about all of your options before settling on the harness that’s right for you and your dog.

Dog size and temperament: To choose the optimum size dog harness, consider your dog’s weight, personality, and breed. Dog harnesses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. To verify that you’re buying the correct size, measure around your dog’s rib cage. Harnesses that are excessively tight might cause pain for your dog, while harnesses that are too loose may allow your dog to escape.

You want two fingers to fit under all of your dog’s straps, but you don’t want to be able to pull the harness over his head. You can test the dog harness by having your dog walk about your house with it on to ensure it isn’t moving around on their body, loosening, or rubbing against their skin in an uncomfortable way.

Harness design: Consider how much or how hard your dog pulls when selecting a dog harness. Your dog may be able to pull you around more easily if you’re wearing the improper harness. The following are the most frequent types of dog harnesses:

  • Collar with a flat buckle. A simple snap or buckle closure is used to close this typical dog collar. This is an excellent choice for dogs who walk with you without pulling or attempting to flee.
  • Collar with a Martingale pattern. This collar was created with narrow-headed dogs in mind. It aids in the prevention of anxious or afraid pets escaping. A length of material with rings on each end is used to make the collar. When your dog tries to back out, the leash latches to one of the rings and tightens without choking them.
  • Harness your entire body. For smaller dogs, a harness with a back attachment is a perfect option. It not only gives you more control than a leash alone, but it also protects your dog’s throat from harm if he pulls. If you’re running or hiking with your dog, attaching a long-line training leash to a body harness is strongly suggested.
  • Harness with a front hook. A clip on the front of the dog’s chest secures this harness. Because it’s tied to the front of your dog’s body, it gives you more leverage when walking with him.
  • Halter head. The head halter is designed to go around your dog’s head slightly behind the ears, and another strap is made to fit around his muzzle. This is a fantastic technique for large, powerful dogs who like to pull. Because the head halter is worn around the muzzle of the dog, it must be properly adjusted. It is not intended to be used to yank or pull your dog forcibly. Rather, it’s designed to assist you in gently guiding your dog in the direction you desire.

If your dog is well-behaved, a harness with a rear clip is appropriate. If your dog pulls, however, a harness with a front clip is preferable. This provides you greater control, allowing you to teach your dog to walk with you rather than ahead of you.

Benefits of Choosing the Right Dog Harness

Harnesses for dogs are useful and beneficial in a variety of situations. They can assist you with:

  • Have better control of your dog, especially when walking along a busy street or in a crowded area
  • Discourage your dog from pulling
  • Stop your dog from jumping up on you or other people 
  • Train puppies who might otherwise get tangled or hurt by a regular collar and leash
  • Keep your dog safe when hiking by preventing the dog from getting distracted 
  • Walk multiple dogs whom you need to have control over at the same time 

Dog harnesses can also be an excellent technique to assist dogs in getting up without giving them pain or discomfort. Another significant benefit is that dog harnesses are unlikely to fall off by accident. When dogs tug, their collars or leashes may become tangled. Because a harness encircles the dog’s entire body, you’ll be able to keep better control of your dog, even while they’re pulling hard.

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