How To Harness Your Dog

This is an x-back harness. When you are first learning how to harness your dog it can seem a bit complicated because the harness is all one piece. It also does not have any buckles on it. Hold the harness so the X part of the harness is on top.

Locate the collar part of the harness. Below the collar is the part that will go on your dogs' chest. Following that small piece, the harness makes a Y shape. This Y is what goes under your dogs front legs (this is often where a harness will rub).

Gather the harness collar and the part that goes between your dogs legs. Put one side in each hand.

Pull this over your dogs' head. Pull the harness on in the same way it will fit on your dog. A good fitting harness will be snug over the head.

Make sure you pull your dogs' regular collar through so it isn't caught up in the harness collar. Pull all your dogs' extra scruff through so he can move freely.

Reach your hand through the harness and gently pull your dogs' front leg through the harness. Do this with both front legs.

Harnesses often have fleece padding around the collars, the chest piece, and between the legs. Any irregularities in stitching or fleece will create irritations, especially around the shoulders, legs, and hips.

This harness fits well. Notice the harness ends at the base of the tail (not including the little blue tug loop). Also, the harness stops just before the hips so it does not rub the hips.

If you microchip your dog, make sure they get the microchip in a place that the harness or collar does not touch. Otherwise the microchip will irritate your dog. Race dogs have microchips placed behind the right ear to avoid these problems.

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