How to choose a dog harness

For many dogs, a harness is an important piece of equipment used in their everyday life. You see, some dogs have a serious problem of getting choked when they are wearing a collar and leash. This happens because when a dog tries to tug while he is attached to a leash, the force is sent to his neck where the collar is attached. A strain on the neck as such can lead to breathing problems, gagging, vomiting, and skin damage. A harness, on the other hand, attaches underneath the dogs body, allowing any force to be distributed there.

After you’ve made the choice for your dog to wear a harness instead of a collar, it is time to go shopping for one. If you haven’t done any harness shopping in the past, you may feel a little lost at times. There are many different types and styles of harnesses on the market, and unless you know what you are looking for, it can be pretty confusing at time.

Before you start searching for a dog harness, you need to find out the measurements and weight of your dog. Simply take a measuring tape and measure the length and width of your dog. After that, place your dog on a weighing scale, or hold your dog while you are on the scale, and write down what they weigh. Most harnesses have sizes measured by weight, but some do measurements.

With so many companies making dog harnesses, many of them work differently. Some harnesses may clasp in just one spot, while others might clasp in two or more. This is why it is important to examine the harness carefully to make sure you fully understand how it works. There’s nothing worse than getting home with your new harness just to find out you don’t even know how to work it.

While most dog harnesses have clasps that connect in certain areas, some harnesses don’t have any. These “step-in” harnesses are simple and made for a dog to just step into it. If you don’t want to mess around with any clasps, then this is the way to go. They are the most simple form of harness, yet they are just as safe and effective as all the rest.

You should always make sure the material of the harness will be comfortable for your dog to wear. A dog doesn’t have a voice and they can’t let you know if the harness they are wearing everyday is uncomfortable for them. Just feel the material and make sure there isn’t any sharp or rough areas of it.

Choosing to let your dog wear a harness instead of collar is a wise decision. It should be more supportive and more comfortable. However, people often feel lost when they go shopping for one.

While there may be many different choices that come up when shopping for harnesses, following the tips I’ve suggested should help you make a better educated purchase.