How to Put on an Easy Walk Dog Harness

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parts

1 Attaching the Shoulder Strap and Belly Strap

2 Fitting the Chest Strap

3 Walking with the Easy Walk Dog Harness

How Can You Put On a Dog Harness?

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Co-authored by Beverly Ulbrich and Madeleine Criglow

Last Updated: August 9, 2023 References

If your dog usually pulls on the leash as you walk, an Easy Walk Dog Harness is a perfect option to help them walk more comfortably. For fun, stress-free walks, it's important to ensure a snug, secure fit. Luckily, these harnesses are easy to put on and adjust with the right instructions. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about putting on an Easy Walk Dog Harness.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Attaching the Shoulder Strap and Belly Strap

1. 
   1
   Put the shoulder strap over your pup's head. Look for the strap that includes an Easy Walk tag to identify the shoulder strap. Then, place it over your dog's head so that the connector rings (the rings that hold the shoulder strap, belly strap, and chest strap together) fall above and behind your dog's shoulders on either side.

   • In this position, the chest strap (the strap with the D-ring at the center of the strap) will rest on your dog's chest.
   • If your pup won't put their head through the harness, consider offering them a treat as encouragement.
2. 
   2
   Connect the shoulder strap to the belly strap with the quick-snap buckle. To identify the belly strap, look for the strap that is in an alternate, complementary color to the shoulder strap. Then, use the quick-snap buckle to snap the belly strap and shoulder strap together.
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3. 
   3
   Take off the harness and tighten or loosen the straps to fit your dog. The harness fits your dog properly when you can slip 1 finger width under the straps. Since this is your first fitting, you'll probably need to adjust the shoulder and belly straps for your dog. Remove the harness and use the adjusters to shorten or lengthen the straps.

   • A snug, secure fit prevents your dog from experiencing chafing and discomfort. If the harness is causing their skin to chafe, it’s too tight and/or small.
   • Always remove the harness before making any adjustments. Your dog may tense up or squirm if you adjust the harness while it is still on, which can make finding the right fit difficult.
4. 
   4
   Put the harness back on and double-check the fit. Place the shoulder strap over your pup's head and snap the shoulder strap and belly strap together with the quick-snap buckle. If you can fit 1 finger width under the straps, you're all set. If you need to make more adjustments, just remember to remove the harness first.

   • Different harnesses are going to fit different size dogs differently, therefore, choose a harness based on the dog breed.
   • If the harness is too tight, the belly strap will ride up into your dog's armpits, which is uncomfortable for them. If you notice this, loosen up the straps a bit.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Fitting the Chest Strap

1. 
   1
   Adjust the chest strap so that it rests horizontally on your pup's chest. When fitted properly, the D-ring (the ring meant for attaching the leash) will fall on the center of your pup's chest. If the chest strap rides up above their chest, loosen it by pushing the chest strap through the adjuster. If the chest strap droops below their chest, tighten it by pulling the chest strap through the adjuster.

   • The strap shouldn’t be so tight that you can’t fit your fingers in between the strap and your dog’s chest.
2. 
   2
   Examine the harness to check that it forms a T on your dog's side. To ensure that you put the harness on properly, check that the chest strap falls horizontally over your dog's chest. Then, make sure that the shoulder strap and belly strap form a vertical line down your dog's side. Altogether, the straps should resemble a T on their side.
3. 
   3
   Attach the leash to the D-ring on the chest strap. To ensure an enjoyable walk for you and your dog, choose a 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) leash with a lightweight (yet secure) clasp. Then, clip the leash onto the D-ring to fasten it.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Walking with the Easy Walk Dog Harness

1. 
   1
   Train your dog to walk by your side. As you walk your dog, encourage your pup to stay by your side with positive feedback like "good dog" and "great job." Then, reward their good behavior with a healthy, tasty treat.

   • If your dog is new to walking, teach them to walk on a leash by taking them on short, frequent walks and using positive reinforcement.
2. 
   2
   Remove the harness as soon as your walk is over. To take off the harness, simply unclip the quick-snap buckle that connects the shoulder strap and the belly strap. Then, pull the shoulder strap over your dog's head to take it off.

   • Your dog should only wear a harness when they are attached to a leash or out on walks.
3. 
   3
   Adjust the shoulder strap, belly strap, and chest strap over time. As you walk your dog, check if the harness moves around or sags (too loose) or causes your pup's skin to become red or irritated (too tight). If you notice these signs, remove the harness and adjust it for a better fit.

   • Tighten each strap by pulling the straps through their respective adjuster points. This will shorten each strap's length.
   • Loosen each strap by pushing the straps through their respective adjusters. This will lengthen each strap.
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How Can You Put On a Dog Harness?

Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What can I use instead of a harness?

  

  John Donovan
  Dog Behavior & Training Expert

  John Donvan is a Dog Behavior & Training Expert and the Owner of Donovan’s Dogs in Hoboken, New Jersey. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in dog playgroups, dog walking, and dog training. Additionally, Donovan’s Dogs has a 5-star rating.

  

  John Donovan

  Dog Behavior & Training Expert

  Expert Answer

  A slip lead is great—it's basically like a leash with a ring at the end of it. Slide the loop of the lead around the dog's neck and then secure the loop in place with an adjustable piece of leather.

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Tips

• If you're having trouble fitting the Easy Walk Dog Harness after a few tries, it's possible the harness is not the correct size. In that case, measure your dog for the harness and compare their measurements to available sizes.
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