Ready to take your dog on a walk, but the darn harness doesn’t fit? An easy walk dog harness teaches your dog not to pull during a walk while maintaining safety. However, there’s a slight learning curve to fitting the harness. It’s not much, so a couple of tries will do the trick. Here’s how you do it:
Before You Begin
Fitting a dog harness is like buying a new belt. You can pull and pull all you won’t, but it won’t work unless you start with the right size.
An unfit harness is frustrating to deal with, and your dog could escape from the harness if you’re not careful. Ideally, this should be done before purchasing the harness. If you didn’t, that’s okay, but you’ll need the right size before adventuring the neighborhood.
Refer to the chart to choose the most accurate harness size. Keep in mind the weight ranges are only approximate. If your dog fits into two weight classes, go one size up.
| Size Chart | |||
| Size | Chest (1) | Girth (2) | Weight |
| Petite | 6″ to 7″ | 12″ to 16″ | Under 10 lbs. |
| Petite/Small | 8″ to 9″ | 13″ to 18″ | 10 to 15 lbs. |
| Small | 8.5″ to 11″ | 15″ to 21″ | 15 to 25 lbs. |
| Small/Medium | 11″ to 13″ | 19″ to 26″ | 20 to 30 lbs. |
| Medium | 12″ to 15″ | 21″ to 32″ | 25 to 50 lbs. |
| Medium/Large | 14″ to 18″ | 24.5″ to 34″ | 40 to 65 lbs. |
| Large | 16″ to 21″ | 27″ to 40″ | 65 to 95 lbs. |
| Extra Large | 17.5″ to 23.5″ | 32″ to 50″ | 90+ lbs. |
*chart from PetSafe.net
How to Put on an Easy Walk Dog Harness
1. Identify the Straps
An easy walk harness has three straps: the chest, belly, and shoulder straps.
The chest strap has the Martingale loop. Unlike other leashes, the D-ring on the Martingale loops rests on the chest instead of the spine.
The belly strap rests on the belly, behind the front legs. It will typically be a different color than the other straps.
The shoulder strap is the top strap. It will rest across the dog’s shoulders.
2. Fit the Shoulder Strap
Place the harness on your dog. Adjust the shoulder strap so the two O-rings rest above and behind your dog’s shoulders.
3. Fit the Belly Strap
Adjust the belly strap so the harness fits snugly against your dog. The harness should be tight but not dig into the armpit area. Two fingers should stick between the strap and your dog comfortably.
4. Check the Fit
Check that the chest and shoulder straps stay put while your dog walks. If they rotate, tighten the harness until they stop.
5. Fit the Chest Strap
Check that the chest strap rests low on your dog’s chest and not across the throat. This strap will feel looser than the other straps and should rest horizontally across the breastbone with the D-ring in the center for the best fit. There are two adjusters on the chest strap to make this possible.
6. Check the Final Fit
Once you’ve modified the harness to fit your dog, look at the final fit. The harness should look like a sideways T.
If the harness resembles a sideways Y, try to adjust it until it looks more like a T. Odds are, you can loosen the chest strap. However, the harness is likely too small if you can’t loosen the chest strap.
Fitting & Chafing Tips
- Dogs sometimes tense their bodies during a fitting, so check the adjustments one more time after a walk.
- A heavy leash could cause the harness to drag. A 4 to 6-foot leash with a lightweight clasp is best.
- Do not use a retractable leash- the tension can cause the dog to pull and wear down the chest strap.
- Do not use a coupler dog leash- the tension from the other dog can confuse your dog.
Summary
An easy walk dog harness differs from other harnesses, so adjusting the straps will take a couple of tries before you get the hang of it, but it won’t take long. Pretty soon, you and your dog will be exploring the great outdoors.
Featured Image Credit: knelson20, Shutterstock
