Dog harnesses are no longer an uncommon sight these days. Whether it's for dog sports, driving a car or simply going for a walk, there's a harness to suit almost 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 calmly.
Putting on the dog harness - this is how it works
A dog harness is not something our four-legged friends are naturally familiar with. This is just as true for walking on a leash or wearing a collar. All these things are unfamiliar to them. Accordingly, they need time to get to know them.
It is clear to us humans what the purpose of a harness is. We want to secure our dog with it and 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. In order for your dog to really feel comfortable in his harness, it must meet these criteria:
- It must not restrict 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.
Getting the dog used to the harness
Before you simply put the harness on your dog's head, you should first familiarize yourself with it. Through which opening does the head have to go? 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 uncomfortable when their humans lean close over them and then fiddle with them. If your dog doesn't know a dog harness yet, he may associate this uncomfortable feeling with it. However, you want him to be comfortable and happy to put it on. For this reason, it's important that you recognize and respond to your dog's avoidance behaviors.
This site explains in detail how to do this in an easy way.
How to recognize avoidance 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 can include 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 definitely 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 good 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 each voluntary approach with something your dog really likes.
Crouch sideways next to your dog and hold the harness out to him. Now motivate him with a treat to put his head through the opening. Remember that it costs him an effort to do this and that he should do it voluntarily. This is the only way he will have fun. Therefore, give him enough time for this. This can also be several days, on which you practice it 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 distraction will help him get used to the new object on his body and associate it with something positive.
How well the harness is put on also depends on the harness itself. Harnesses where the dog has to get into the harness with his paws and head are rather unsuitable for the beginning. This usually involves too much fumbling, which only makes you both nervous. If one type of harness doesn't work for you, another one will be more suitable for your dog.
Tip:
Your dog gains security in everyday life if you announce certain actions to him. This way he knows what is happening now and what he should do. You can also link the putting on of 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.
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.