Your Dog’s First Harness: Helping Your Pup Love Their New Harness

Harnesses are an excellent way to ensure your dog’s comfort and safety during walks, minimizing the risk of neck injuries and improving their overall experience. However, introducing a harness to your dog and getting them accustomed to wearing it requires patience, kindness, and consistency. Below, we’ll discuss how to choose the right harness, introduce it to your dog, and help them feel comfortable wearing it.

How to choose the right dog harness

Choosing the right harness is crucial for your dog’s comfort and safety. With so many types of harnesses available, ensuring your dog’s natural movement isn’t restricted is important. Some harnesses cross directly in front of the shoulders, which can impede movement—these should be avoided.

A key feature to consider is a no-pull harness, which is especially helpful if your dog tends to tug on walks. These harnesses are designed to distribute pressure evenly across the chest, reducing strain on the neck and preventing discomfort. Our Urban, Adventure, and Sports harness collections are designed with this in mind, offering no-pull solutions that make walking a more enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. They help reduce pulling by guiding your dog’s movement without compromising their comfort or freedom to move.

Key tips for selecting a harness:

• Type of Harness: Many harnesses require your dog to put their head through an opening, but some alternatives clip around the neck and body. These are ideal for dogs who are head-shy.

• Proper Fit: Ensure the harness fits snugly but comfortably. You should be able to fit a finger between the harness and your dog’s body without it slipping out of place.

• Regular Inspections: Regularly check your harness, collar, and lead for wear and tear. Additionally, remember that your dog must wear a collar with an ID tag in public spaces to comply with the law

Explore our Embark Pets dog harness collections for a perfect blend of comfort, durability, and style. Designed to provide freedom of movement and a secure fit, our Urban and Adventure harnesses are a great choice for dogs who love to explore while keeping pulling at bay.

Choosing a well-fitting no-pull dog harness will set the stage for stress-free training and enjoyable walks.

Harness 101: Starting Off on the Right Paw

Introducing a harness to your dog in a gradual, positive manner is key to helping them feel comfortable. Here’s how:

Step 1: Let Them Explore

Place the harness on the floor and scatter treats around it. This allows your dog to investigate it at their own pace while associating it with positive experiences.

Step 2: Reward Through the Head Hole

Once your dog is comfortable with the harness, lift it up and feed treats through the head-hole. Place your hand through the hole so they don’t have to put their head through yet. This minimizes initial resistance.

Step 3: First Time Over the Head

Hold a treat in your hand and move it backward through the head-hole, encouraging your dog to push their nose through to take the reward. Once they’re comfortable, gently place the harness over their head and let it hang loosely without doing it up.

Remove the harness and return to the previous step if your dog shows discomfort or retreats.

Step 4: Fasten the Harness

Familiarize your dog with the sound of the clips by snapping them together while holding the harness. When your dog remains calm, place the harness on them, reward them, and then fasten the clips. Continue rewarding them with treats to create positive associations.

Encouraging Movement with the Harness On

Once the harness is fastened, help your dog get used to wearing it by encouraging gentle movement. Engage them in activities like:

• Playtime: Toss a toy or play a game to distract them from the new sensation of the harness.

• Trick Training: Teach simple tricks like “sit” or “paw” to keep their focus on you.

When they’re ready, take them for a short walk. Offer treats periodically to encourage positive behavior and build their confidence. You can also watch this video from @spotthatdog to learn more tips and tricks!

When Things Go Ruff

If your dog struggles with any stage of harness training, don’t rush. Return to the previous step and work on building their confidence before moving forward.

Signs Your Dog Might Be Worried:

• Avoiding the harness

• Stiff body language

• Excessive licking or yawning

If your dog shows signs of stress, pause the training and give them time to relax. Responding to their communication strengthens their trust in you.

When to Seek Help

If your dog exhibits persistent fear, avoidance, or aggression during harness training, consult your veterinarian to rule out medical issues. A qualified behaviorist can then provide additional guidance.

Make every walk an adventure with Embark Pets!

With the right harness and a gentle, patient approach, your dog will soon learn to enjoy wearing their harness. This not only improves their comfort and safety but also makes walks more enjoyable for both of you. Take the time to train them properly, and you’ll create a strong foundation for a lifetime of happy adventures together.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your dog associates their harness with fun and positivity, paving the way for countless stress-free walks and outdoor adventures. Check out the Embark Pets dog harness collections to find the perfect harness for your furry friend.! 

Embark Pets Blog that is worth reading!  

Collars VS. Harness: The Best Choice For Your Furry Friend 

https://embarkpets.com/blogs/news/collars-vs-harness-the-best-choice-for-your-furry-friend

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