You should remember that dog harnesses feature loops that go around a dog’s torso and reaches their neck. Therefore, you will keep your canine friend secure, while ensuring to put a small pressure to their neck, which is way better solution than collar. Instead, you can use a harness, which is perfect for puppies and senior dogs.

Even if your dog does not fit into these two categories, we can differentiate a few reasons you should consider choosing harness instead of collar. Still, you can find wide array of options available on the market, which means it is challenging to find the one that will meet your needs and preferences.

Therefore, you should stay with us to learn more about different dog harnesses by Canada Pooch types you can find and tips that will help you understand the differences. Let us start from the beginning.

Things to Know About Dog Harness

As mentioned above, you should remember that the main idea behind a dog harness lies in its ability to secure the dog by using various contact points which will distribute an even pressure on shoulders and chest. Therefore, you should use them for brachycephalic dogs such as Pug, French Bulldog and Bulldog.

They feature wide neck, which is almost the same as their head, meaning it is challenging to use collar because the chances are high that they will slip from it. At the same time, you can use it for dogs with neck pain, older dogs, canines with heart conditions and breathing issues.

Generally, harnesses are perfect for puppies, but you must adjust the size accordingly. On the other hand, you can purchase the one with the chance to change its size, because your puppy will grow. Finally, if your dog has a habit of pulling the leash, you can use harness to prevent neck injuries and strains for tugging too hard.

When it comes to fitting a harness properly, you should understand a few things. For instance, we recommend you to bring your dog to a pet store to try it out. That way, you can find a knowledgeable and experienced salesperson who can help you find the right option and adjust it properly based on your dog’s requirements.

Suppose you cannot visit a store due to numerous reasons. In that case, it is vital to remember the two crucial measurements you must take. The first one is the base of the neck, at the place where it meets the shoulders. The second one is widest part of the chest, which is behind front legs.

We recommend you to click here to learn more about harnesses. At the same time, you can take measurements by using a cloth tape. On the other hand, some people choose to use a piece of string and place it against a tape measure or ruler to determine the length in centimeters or inches.

Most harnesses feature one close, meaning you can make the adjustments based on specific needs. You should put the harness at the approximate size instead of making it loose. The moment you put it on, we recommend you to tighten it properly to fit, but avoid making it too tight.

As with collars, you should be able to fit two fingers between harness and your dog’s body, which is an indication that you can do it. Of course, if your canine friend features fluffy or long coat, you may need to tighten the straps more than other dogs to prevent it from slipping out of it. You should follow additional tips that will help you ensure safety:

• It is vital to walk your dog around to ensure the legs can move without any additional problem. The harness should not restrict the movement.
• When placing your dog, you should pull it at different directions to ensure it cannot slip before making up your mind.
• Always check for areas where harness touches your dog, because it may lead to chafing and rubbing.
• As soon as your dog moves forward, we recommend you to go backward and determine whether the harness has room to go over its head. If that is the case, it means your dog can easily slip out in case it goes in opposite direction from you. Therefore, you should tighten it properly to ensure the best course of action.
• The moment you notice that your dog gained or lost weight, you should check harness to see whether it fits. You should do the same thing when your dog comes back from groomer, which is vital to remember.

It doesn’t matter whether you get the ones from metal or plastic, because you should clean and inspect them after each walk. Check out this guide: https://www.wikihow.com/Put-on-a-Dog-Harness to learn how to put a dog harness on your canine friend.

Besides, you should check the hardware for potential cracks and areas where fabric can get damaged or frayed. The Velcro must fasten properly since various materials and fur can get stuck in loops and hooks making it less secure than before.