Dogs have an inbuilt instinct to do mischievous acts especially when you are walking them. If you have a dog then you might be well aware of what I mean. The peaceful walk is still the dream of many paw parent, as their dogs have the habit of pulling the leash while walking. Often the situation is you might not know if you are walking your dog or if your dog is walking you. This is why it is important to choose the harness properly which might make you wonder, “How to measure dog for harness?”
Stress no more we are here to help you. Through our blog, we will try to provide you with the maximum information on how to take the correct measurements of your dog to choose the right harness.
Why You Need a Harness for Your Dog?
A harness[1] is nothing but wearable equipment that is wrapped around a dog’s body. It distributes the force exerted on the leash by covering the dog’s body, unlike the collar which just covers the neck of the dog.
Here are some reasons why you might need a harness for your dog:
Safety
A harness prevents the dog from slipping away while walking and protects them from the dangerous other dogs. It also safeguards the dog by preventing neck injury and breathing difficulty which happens with the collar.
Training
As the harness covers the body of the dog not just the neck it restrains them from pulling the leash. This helps to train the dog to not pull the leash while walking and makes them walk slowly and along with you.
Comfort
As compared to the collar harness if far more comfortable for the dog. Harness diverts the pressure instead of just applying it in one place. This makes your dog walk with ease without any risk of injuring their neck, choking or facing breathing issues.
As mentoned in webmd, "Collars and leashes can cause strain on your dog's neck and throat. A dog harness, however, can help prevent injury and things like choking or hacking. In addition, a dog harness can be a perfect tool to use when you're walking, running, or hiking with your dog because it helps make these activities safer and more enjoyable for everyone involved."
How To Measure Dog for Harness?
If you are considering using the harness for your dog then it becomes very important to know the correct fit. The proper fit of the harness helps the dog to walk with ease and comfort.
Here are some ways to measure a dog for the harness:
- First of all, to measure the dog, you need to make the dog calm and steady. This will help you get the exact measurement of your dog. To make the dog familiar with the process let him sniff the measuring tape and know that it won’t harm him. If required you can take the help of someone.
- Start by measuring the dog’s girth. Wrap the measuring tape around the dog’s neck at the place above the shoulder. Don’t take the exact measurement leave the gap of two fingers, so that the harness will not be tight and fit comfortably.
- Next, you have to measure the dog’s body length starting from the neck to the tail. You can also measure the dog’s body length from shoulder to hips it too will work.
- Once the measurement is taken you should now weigh your dog using the vet’s weight measuring scale. This vet’s scale will help you know the exact weight of your dog.
- Now after the measurements are done write it down and while buying the harness use the same measurements. Whenever you will buy the harness compare the size chart available with your measurement. Choose the closest size from the chart according to the measurement.
- While buying the harness make sure you make them try it. This will help you to know if the size chosen by you is correct or not. If the harness is tight or rubs against your dog’s skin then avoid buying it and choose another.
How To Choose the Right Harness Type for Your Dog?
There are various types of harnesses available which makes it very important to choose the right harness for your dog. Choosing the right type of harness for your dog depends on factors like size, activity level and temperament of the dog.
Here are the types of harnesses knowing about them will give you clarity to choosing:
Back clip harness: This type of harness comes with an attached leash on the back. Even after being easy to put on this leash does not provide maximum control if a dog pulls.
Front clip harness: This front clip harness also comes with the attached leash, but it is attached to the chest of the dog. Unlike the back clip harness, this harness provides control over the dog’s pulling by redirecting the dog to face the owner.
Tightening harness: This type of harness is designed especially for dogs who tend to pull a lot while walking. The tightening harness is designed in such a way that it tightens and adds pressure upon pulling by the dog.
Head halter: This head halter harness is made in such a way that it fits around the dog’s head and muzzle. It allows the paw parents to steer the dog’s head. For large dogs who need to be controlled this type of harness is suitable.
Mobility harness: The speciality of mobility harnesses is that they are designed for easy mobility of dogs. For senior dogs or dogs who underwent the surgeries this harness is very useful as it distributes the dog’s weight. It makes it easier to lift the dog and provides them with support.
Car harness: If you have a car and a dog then this car harness is what you might be looking for. The car harness helps to secure the dog in the car while travelling and prevents them from getting injured.
How To Adjust the Harness for a Perfect Fit?
Here are the ways to adjust the harness for a perfect fit of the dog:
- To start with loose all the straps and buckles of the harness.
- Now make your dog calm and composed, once done put the harness over the dog’s head and slide it swiftly.
- Adjust the harness properly and then adjust the straps according to your dog’s body fitting. Make sure you leave the two-finger distance in the harness to prevent it from getting over-tight.
- To check if the harness is adjusted properly or not see that it should not twist or rub against your dog’s body.
FAQs
How to measure dog for harness?
You need to measure the girth of your dog’s neck and chest in order to fit them for a harness and be aware of your dog’s weight as well. To choose the right size harness for your dogs take note of its weight and measurements.
How tight or loose should a dog harness be?
According to the general rule a harness should fit tightly without being overly tight. The harness and your dog’s body should be just wide enough to fit two fingers no more. If the harness is excessively loose it will rub and sore your dog and allow them to escape. A too tight harness might make it difficult for your dog to breathe and move.
Is it better to walk a dog with a harness or collar?
Depending on your dog’s size, habits, and preferences, there is no hard and fast rule regarding which is better when walking a dog, a collar or a harness. For walking a dog there are pros and cons to both collars and harnesses. Your dog’s particular needs and qualities can impact which option is best for them.
Are harnesses safer than collars?
Since a harness keeps your pet more secure and doesn’t put stress on the neck, the majority of experts believe that it is safer than a collar. Instead of restricting any force applied to the leash to the area around the neck, a harness distributes it over more parts of the body. This can help avoid throat and spinal injuries, as well as choking and coughing.
What are the risks of a harness?
Though harness is a safe and better option for dogs it also has some risks associated with it too. The harness is way more complicated to put on and remove than a collar, it can also cause serious injury if fitted too high on the dog’s neck. Due to this reason, it becomes important to find the correct fitting harness for dogs.
Conclusion
Choosing the right size harness is really important to control your dog while walking. The one common mistake most paw parents make is that they choose the wrong size harness. Choosing the right size of harness is not only important for peaceful walking but it also helps to avoid your dog from getting injured. We hope that through our blog, “How to measure dog for harness?” you became well aware of how to correctly measure your dog.
Dog’s size keeps on changing so while purchasing the harness make sure you measure your dog’s size again. Do not choose the over-tight harness as it can hurt your dog.
Reference:
- G. (n.d.). The growing trend of dog harnesses and fashion. Pressbooks.
