Dog harnesses are no longer an uncommon look these days. Whether it's for dog sports, driving a car, or simply going for a walk, there's a harness to suit just about every walk of life. Unlike a collar, however, putting on a dog harness involves one or two more hand movements. So that your dog does not run away at the sight of the harness, but likes to put it on, you should get him used to it without any trouble.
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How to put on the dog harness
A dog harness is not something our four-legged friends are naturally used to. This is just as true for walking on a leash or wearing a collar. All these things are unknown to them. Consequently, they need time to get to know them.
It is quite clear to us humans what the purpose of a harness is. We want to protect our dog with it and to be able to lead him well on the leash. From the dogs' point of view, it is simply a foreign object that they are also supposed to wear on their body. For your dog to feel comfortable in his harness, it must meet these criteria:
- it must not limit his movement
- it must not pinch, for example behind the legs
- it must fit well to his body shape
- It must not be too loose, because then it slips and disturbs.
Familiarize the dog with the harness
Before you simply put the harness on your dog's head, you should first familiarize yourself with it. Which opening does the head have to go through? Where do the straps go? And how do I adjust the harness to the right size?
Only when you know how to put on the harness correctly should you practice it together with your dog. Many four-legged friends feel discomfort when their humans bend close over them and then fiddle with them. If your dog doesn't know a dog harness yet, he may link this uncomfortable feeling to it. However, you want him to be comfortable and happy to put it on. For this reason, you must recognize and respond to your dog's avoidance behaviors.
How to recognize avoiding behavior
The word itself already explains what it means: your dog wants to avoid something. When it comes to the harness, it can be the harness itself, the way you put it on him, or a combination of both. Since your four-legged friend can't tell you what makes him uncomfortable, you need to be able to observe and interpret his signals well.
Signs of avoidance behavior may consist of these:
- licking over the nose
- yawn
- his body becomes stiff
- trembling
- hiding from you/running away
- shake
lie down on your back
growl
Does your dog show one of these signals - or more - as soon as he sees the harness?
Then it makes sense to get him used to it all over again. Also, ask yourself if the current one fits him properly or if he finds wearing it uncomfortable.
If he shows avoidance behavior as soon as you put the harness on him, you should pay attention to your body language. The most important point is this one: don't bend over your dog head-on, but crouch down next to him on the side.
Putting on the harness - step by step
To get your dog used to putting on the harness, it is best to proceed in the following small steps.
Clicker training is also well suited for this.
- Let him look at the harness and sniff it. If he is particularly anxious, you can put it on the floor first. Reward every voluntary approach with something your dog likes.
- Sit on the side next to your dog and hold the harness out to him. Now encourage him with a treat to put his head through the opening. Remember that it takes some effort for him to do this and that he should do it of his own free will. This is the only way he will have fun. Therefore, give him enough time for this. This can also be a few days, during which you practice again and again.
- If your dog has learned to let you pull the harness over his head, you can now close it in peace. After that, you should do something with him that he likes. The nice disturbance will help him get used to the new object on his body and associate it with something positive.
How well putting it on goes also depends on the harness itself. Those where the dog has to get in with his paws and head are rather not suited for the beginning. This usually makes for too much fumbling, which only makes both of you nervous. If one type of harness doesn't work for you, another one will be more suitable for your dog. Very easy to put on.
Tip:
Your dog will become more confident in everyday life if you inform him of certain actions. This way he knows what is happening and what he should do. You can also link putting on the harness with a signal. You can think of what you want to use for this yourself, for example simply "put the harness on".
My dog holds her front leg out to me as soon as I put the harness on her head. I then only have to put it in the appropriate opening and close the harness.
Conclusion
If your dog likes to put on the harness, it will make your everyday life together much easier. The wide range of different models offers something for almost every type of dog. Even if your four-legged friend has had an unpleasant experience with one, you can try it again with another.
While some dogs run through life briskly and quickly become familiar with new things, it takes longer with others. However, the head is a sensitive zone for all of them. Therefore, you should not rush and slowly introduce your quadruped to wearing the harness.