How To Fit A Dog Harness
Learning how to properly fit a dog harness could be the difference between your dog pulling a Houdini and disappearing down the street or walking safely and happily beside you on the leash.
So how should the harness fit? If the harness is too big, it may rub and chafe your dog and cause sore spots. Too small and it will squeeze and be uncomfortable.
(think about running shoes, too big=bad, too small=bad).
FIRST THINGS FIRST – How to measure
There aren’t standard dimensions for dog harnesses; a medium-sized dog harness from one company could be considered an extra-large at another. Before you can choose the right harness for your dog, you’ll need to take a few measurements:
Measure the Chest: Using a soft tape measure (or piece of string), measure all the way around the LARGEST part of your dog’s chest. Starting at the bottom of their rib cage, bring the tape up and over their back, and then back down to where you began. This is the most accurate way to make sure you are getting the correct size dog harness, no matter the brand.
Weight: Your dog’s weight can help you determine which harnesses will be strong enough for them to wear and in some cases, it can help you determine the right size harness if you are second guessing based on chest measurements.
Neck: You’ll need to know your dog’s neck size for some types of harnesses. To get this number, simply wrap your tape measure around the THICKEST part of your dog’s neck. (You won’t need this measurement for the Freedom No-Pull Harness if you go that route).
HOW SHOULD A DOG HARNESS SHOULD FIT
There are many different kinds of dog harnesses, and each type of harness will have a slightly different style and fit. In general, a dog harness should fit snug, but not too tight. It should be tight enough that your dog can’t back out of it, and the ring (that you clip the leash to) should sit higher on their chest. Just like with a collar, you should be able to fit two fingers (but only two!) between the harness and your dog.