How Do I Train My Dog to Wear a Harness?
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Enjoying a leisurely walk or adventurous hike with your dog is an incredible way to spend quality time together and strengthen your bond. However, a dog that pulls and lacks leash manners can quickly turn this fun experience upside down.
While collars have long been the standard for walking, many veterinarians and trainers are now sharing the benefits of using a harness. They are generally safer and more comfortable for dogs of all ages.
However, not every dog will instantly take to wearing a harness the first time they are introduced.
In this guide, I will walk you through the steps of introducing a harness to your dog, building positive associations, and setting both you and your dog up for long-term success. From choosing the right harness to mastering the process of putting it on, you’ll be prepared to hit the pavement with your canine companion in style and comfort.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Harness?
Let's take a step back before I walk you through training your dog to wear a harness. Why should you consider using a harness for your dog? What benefits does it offer over a typical collar?
The most significant difference between a collar and a harness, and the reason why most veterinarians and dog trainers recommend harnesses, is the risk of injury. When your dog wears a collar, all pressure is put directly on their throat. If your dog pulls or tries to take off after a temptation (like a squirrel or to play with another dog), the pressure on their throat can cause significant damage. In the most severe cases, the impact of the collar on your dog’s throat can cause a life-threatening injury.
Harnesses, on the other hand (or the other paw), disperse the pressure across your dog’s chest. Not only is this a more extensive area, but it’s better suited for handling this pressure without injuries (assuming the harness is properly fit to your dog).
Depending on the activities you plan to enjoy with your dog, a harness could introduce additional features. This could include harnesses and support to assist a senior dog with mobility, a cooling harness for hot summer days, a harness with built-in backpacks to carry their gear while hiking, seatbelt attachments for safe car travel, and more.
What Age Should Your Dog Start Wearing a Harness?
Eight weeks old is the earliest age you should put a harness onto a young puppy. At this age, puppies are generally very open to new skills and experiences, making it the perfect time to introduce something new. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t train your dog to wear a harness if you are considering making this change later in life. Many adults and even senior dogs learn to wear and love their harnesses with a bit of time and a little patience.
How Long Does It Take a Dog to Get Used to a Harness?
The time it will take for your dog to get used to a harness will vary from dog to dog. Some pups will accept the harness quickly, comfortably wearing it and running around confidently right away. However, this isn’t true for every dog.
If your dog is older and set in their ways or nervous when faced with new experiences, working through these steps may take a lot longer. Be patient and focus on creating a positive association with the harness by introducing praise and rewards. Allow your dog to set the pace, moving from one step to the next only when they are ready. This is the best way to set them up for long-term success (the ultimate goal).
How to Train Your Dog to Wear a Harness: Step-By-Step
Before you start training, take a moment to consider what motivates your dog. While most dogs can be motivated with high-value treats, you may find your dog is better inspired to try something new with the offer of playtime with a favorite toy or even with simple praise and attention from you, their person. Knowing this is the secret to training success!
Step One – Choosing a Harness
The first thing to consider is the style of harness best suited for your dog. There are several factors to consider when shopping for the right harness. This includes your dog’s size, the weight of the harness, the adjustability, the material, how easy it is to clean, and any special features the harness may offer.
You may even need to consider different harnesses for different situations. For example, you may prefer a classic nylon harness for walks around the block with your pup. However, if you are planning a challenging hike, your dog may be better served by a stronger and more supportive adventure harness with a handle to assist with any obstacles along the way.
Finding the correct harness is essential, as your training will focus on making that specific harness a positive trigger for your dog. For the training process to be effective, this harness should be used.
Step Two – Introduce the Harness
In the early stages of training, you’re not going to put the harness on your dog. Instead, you want to give them a chance to check it out and realize it’s not something to be afraid of.
To begin, place the harness on the ground in the comfort of your own home. Allow your dog to sniff at it and look it over. As they interact with the harness, occasionally offer praise or a treat. This will start to introduce the idea that the harness brings good things.
When you see that they give the harness no more interest than a rug or your shoes (assuming they don’t chew your shoes), you can move on to the next step.
Step Three – Putting on the Harness (Over-the-Head Harness)
If the style of harness you chose slips over your dog’s head before securing it, try holding the harness up in front of your dog with the opening for their head in front of their face. Hold out their treat or favorite toy, encouraging them to reach through the opening to get to it.
At first, reward them for sticking just their nose in. The next time, move the treat or toy a little further back, challenging them to reach a little further.
Continue to work this up a little at a time until your dog comfortably places their head right through the opening, allowing the harness to rest on their neck. Then you can introduce the snaps or buckles.
With the harness around your dog’s neck, secure one snap or buckle, leaving it done up for only a second before undoing it and praising your dog. Try securing both sides when they no longer seem nervous or uncomfortable with that side being secured. Slowly increase the time the harness is fully buckled before taking it off.
Step Three – Putting on the Harness (Step-In Harness)
This will be very similar to the process for an over-the-head with one small change: the first step you introduce to your dog.
With the harness lying stretched out on the ground, call your dog to you, encouraging them to stand over it. Slowly position them so their front paws rest in the appropriate harness openings. Praise and reward them for this. Teaching them to put their paws in the correct space will make putting the harness on much easier in the future.
When your dog understands the idea of standing in their harness with it resting on the ground, try raising it an inch around their legs before placing it back down and rewarding them. As you see your dog becoming comfortable, push them a little further by raising it an extra inch. Continue with this process until you can bring the harness all the way up to your dog’s body without any hesitation.
Following the abovementioned steps, start by buckling one side, then both sides. In time, you can increase the time the harness is buckled comfortably.
Step Four – Encouraging Your Dog to Walk with the Harness On
Now, you can put your dog’s harness on without fear or nervousness – congratulations! It’s time to show your pup they can wear their harness while engaging in various activities.
Using treats or toys, lure your dog across the room, starting with just a few steps. Try having them wear the harness while eating or playing with their favorite toys. Does your dog have a favorite chew, like bully sticks or yak cheese? Offer this as a rewarding activity with the harness on. They will be so focused on the chew that they will forget the harness is even on.
The final step is to add the leash. Clipping the leash onto their harness will have no impact on many dogs. However, if your dog is unsure, allow them to drag the leash around the house for a while before expecting them to venture outdoors on-leash.
What if Your Dog Already Hates Their Harness?
These steps work best if your dog is introduced to their harness for the first time with no preconceived notion of the tool. But what if you have tried putting the harness on them before, turning them off wearing it?
The good news is that you CAN change your dog’s opinion of the harness. It may just take a little longer. Go back to the beginning, placing the harness on the ground and rewarding your dog for sniffing it or checking it out. This will take a little longer as your dog will have to move past their dislike for the harness before they can start to be comfortable around it.
If they refuse to get near the harness, try tossing a treat onto the ground near it or feeding them by scattering their kibble around it while it rests on the ground. When you see that they no longer think twice about being near it, you can start the steps outlined above.
Can a Dog Wear a Harness All the Time?
Now that your dog is comfortable wearing their harness, can they wear it all the time? The short answer is no!
Your dog’s harness is a valuable tool that can be a game-changer in many situations. However, it also has its downfalls. Wearing a harness 24/7 could lead to many complications or problems, including:
- Fur loss, tangles, or matting
- Skin irritation
- Chafing, rubbing, and sores
Each of these conditions is uncomfortable and potentially painful. If your dog starts to associate the harness with pain, you will undo all the hard work you have already put into training. Before long, your dog will resist or refuse to put on their harness, sending you right back to the beginning of the process.
Use your harness when you’re out and about. However, you should remove it when you’re back in the comfort of your home once again.
Final Thoughts: Training Your Dog to Wear a Harness
While training your dog to wear a harness could take days or weeks to complete, it is time well invested to set your pup up for success in the future. Every dog learns at their own place, so don’t rush the process. With consistent practice, plenty of treats, and a focus on positive reinforcement, your dog will learn to associate the harness with fun walks and exciting adventures.
Considering the many benefits harnesses offer, it’s well with the effort. After all, as loving dog parents, we all want to keep our pups safe! Before long, your dog will be strutting their stuff proudly by your side, ready to take on any of life’s adventures.
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![Britt](https://cdn-fastly.petguide.com/media/profile/2022/03/20/58320500_1.jpg?size=91x91)
Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Lucifer and Willow – and their 2 cats – Pippen and Jinx. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.
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