Safety First: Tips for Fitting and Adjusting Dog Harnesses Correctly

If you’ve found your way here, chances are either you’ve been sniffing on the internet looking for ways to upgrade your dog’s walk wardrobe or are curious about how a certain dog walk essential should be worn. No matter the reason, you’ve come to the right place!

First is choosing the right walk essential for dogs, which we’ve covered in our other blog. But what’s beyond that? Does the conversation end once you’re done shopping? We think not. Many pet parents have reached out to our customer care team and even our folks at the HUFT Stores and spas, with a bucket load of questions surrounding our walk favourite - the HUFT dog harness. How does one wear it? How do I make sure my dog’s comfortable? What are some of the tips we should keep in mind?

We thought to ourselves, we know the answers, why not blog it? Here are 10  tips for fitting and adjusting dog harnesses correctly. Let’s go over them!

     TIP 1: MEASURE WELL FOR THE RIGHT FIT

Ever worn a t-shirt that’s a size too small and makes you forget how to breathe? Or worn pants too loose that slip right off your waist? A proper fit for our dogs means comfort. A misfit harness can cause discomfort, chafing, or even restrict or hinder your dog’s natural movement. By measuring your dog, you can ensure a dog harness will fit your dog well. 

You’ll need a measuring tape and your notes app for this. First measure your dog’s neck by wrapping the measuring tape around their neck. Next is chest and girth. To measure this, wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your dog’s body, behind the front legs. Lastly, measure the length of your dog from their neck to their tail joint. Compare these measurements to the size chart and breed recommendations provided with every dog harness on our website.

HUFT Tip: If you’re confused between two sizes, we recommend ordering both to try them on or taking your dog to your nearest HUFT Store and selecting a dog harness by yourself. Our team would be happy to assist you!

    TIP 2: WEAR IT RIGHT

We’ve seen multiple pet parents get this step wrong. A reversible harness gives you two prints in one, meaning you can wear it in two different ways. If your dog’s harness is NOT reversible, there’s only one way in which your dog can wear their harness. Next, many get confused identifying the difference between the ring attachment for the leash and the ring attachment for the ID tag. This is extremely important as the ID tag attachment isn’t designed to withstand the pressure of the leash. Always remember that with HUFT Harnesses, our logo should appear in front of your dog’s chest and not at the back.

    TIP 3: ADJUST STRAPS TO COMFORT

A harness of the right size still needs to be adjusted well to your dog’s unique proportions. To ensure your dog has maximum comfort while wearing the harness, start by loosening all straps before putting the harness on your dog. Once it’s on, tighten the straps gradually until the harness fits snugly on your dog’s body. A good tip is to slip two fingers between the harness and the dog’s body. If you’re unable to, it means you’ve adjusted it too tight and it is a good idea to loosen the straps a little bit. If the space between your finger and the harness is a lot, then the harness will stay loose.

    TIP 4: CHECK FOR FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

Once the harness is on, your dog should be able to move comfortably without any restrictions. You’ll want to observe your dog now and ensure the harness doesn’t rub against or dig into their skin, particularly under the legs or around the chest.

    TIP 5: MAKE SURE THE HARNESS IS ALIGNED

What does it mean to align the harness to a dog’s body? It simply means the harness should sit comfortably across your dog’s chest and shoulders, without digging into their armpits or restricting any movement. Remember, our dogs would want to jump, run and fetch when they’re outdoors so their safety while wearing a harness is important. Ensure the straps are properly aligned and do not twist or bunch up.

     TIP 6: DO THE LEASH TEST

A simple way of assessing if the harness has aligned well with your dog’s body is by attaching the leash to the harness and gently tugging it in different directions. Observe if the harness shifts around excessively. If the harness is sliding to one side, chances are it hasn’t been adjusted well. Readjust the straps, and repeat this step more times until it stays securely in place.

     TIP 7: AVOID PRESSURE POINTS

While our dog harnesses are made with soft and breathable air mesh fabric, if not worn properly, can rub against a few areas on our dog’s body that make them irritated or uncomfortable. Your next tip is to check for these areas and adjust the straps to alleviate any discomfort. If necessary, there are many anti-chafing products which you can consider for your dog.

    TIP 8: OBSERVE THE SIGNS FOR DISCOMFORT

You have to pay attention to how your dog behaves when they’re wearing a harness. Look for common signs of discomfort such as excessive scratching, rubbing or reluctance to move. They might even try to nibble on areas where they’re feeling discomfort. If you observe these signs, either make adjustments to the fit or remove the harness so your dog can get some relief. Remember, our dog’s aren’t meant to wear harnesses 24*7, only when necessary.

    TIP 9: CHECK FOR ESCAPE ROUTES

If you’ve got a notorious furry bunch on your hands who loves mischief, then always double-check to make sure the harness is secure and escape-proof. Make sure all the buckles are fastened properly and are not at a risk of coming loose. Only head out of the door once you’ve done these tiny checks!

    TIP 10: ASSESS THE FIT REGULARLY

Our dogs grow with time. They might become taller, gain or lose weight or develop new muscles. A change in their body is a signal to regularly check their harness. You can make adjustments to the same harness or purchase a new one if it doesn’t fit them anymore. Remember, comfort over everything!