WHY SHOULD MY DOG WEAR A HARNESS OVER A COLLAR?
If your dog is a puller or an escape artist, or if you’re training or lifting your dog, your dog should probably wear a harness. When a dog pulls on a normal collar, they tend to choke themselves. All that pressure on their trachea (throat) can actually damage it and cause breathing problems. Harnesses are much safer and more comfortable for dogs that pull, as they distribute pressure across a larger, less sensitive area (the chest).
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DOG FOR A HARNESS
Dog harness sizes and dimensions will vary from brand to brand, just like human clothes; a medium-sized dog harness from one company could be considered an extra-large at another. Because of this, it is important to take a few measurements before purchasing.
Chest: Using a soft tape measure (or piece of string), measure all the way around the LARGEST part of your dog’s chest. Starting at the bottom of their rib cage, bring the tape up and over their back, and then back down to where you began.
Neck: You’ll need to know your dog’s neck size for over the head harnesses. To get these measurements, simply wrap your tape measure around the THICKEST part of your dog’s neck.
See below our Aurora paws harness size guide:
Size Neck (CM) Chest (CM)
XXSmall 22-32 26-36
XSmall 27-37 36 - 49
Small 35-44 41-57
Medium 40-49 48-62
Large 44-57 56-81
HOW SHOULD A DOG HARNESS SHOULD FIT
In general, a dog harness should fit snug, but not too tight. It should be tight enough that your dog can’t back out of it, you should be able to fit two fingers (but only two!) between the harness and your dog.
WHY DOES A PROPER FITTING DOG HARNESS MATTER
Not only can a poor-fitting harness cause your dog discomfort and pose a safety issue for dogs who can wiggle out and break free. If your dog’s harness is too small/tight, it can restrict their natural movements.
NEW PUPPY HARNESS FITTING
It’s important to slowly introduce your puppy to their harness. Your new puppy will need to get used to walking in a harness before you venture out into the big wide world.
Try using treats to create a positive experience which will make it easier for your dog to associate the harness with good things.
Here are some tips to help:
Get them used to the harness by putting it down on the floor so they can sniff it.
Give your pup a treat and plenty of love when he shows interest in the harness.
Pop them into the harness and let them wear it around the house for short periods of time.
Once they’re familiar and comfortable, take them out to their favourite spot (Dog park / seaside) so they associate the harness with a fun activity!
Puppy harness FAQs:
What is better for a puppy, collar or harness?
A collar that doesn’t constrict around the neck is fine for walking dogs that don’t pull or have respiratory issues. They are also more suitable for dogs to wear for a long period of time. A harness generally isn’t comfortable for all-day use. However, for dogs that are hard to walk, or pull, harnesses are a better option.
At what age can you put a harness on a puppy?
You can introduce your puppy to a harness at any age, ensuring the harness is the right fit for their quickly-growing bodies. However, the ideal age to introduce your pup to a harness is when you start to walk them, at around eight weeks.
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