Getting the right equipment for your dog from the very beginning is essential. At WagWorks, we always recommend attaching a lead to a well-fitting harness, as opposed to their collar, for walking. A dog’s neck is absolutely no different to ours and can be damaged through wearing a collar attached to a lead, particularly if not properly handled; there should be no pressure at all on the dog’s neck.
There are many different harnesses on the market and finding the right one can be a bit of a minefield, but it is important! Your dog’s harness should be comfortable and practical, soft and light.
Key things to look out for:
- The front of the harness should be Y shaped so that the pressure is on the sternum (bone), not on the soft tissue of the neck, and so that it does not impede with the movement of the dog’s front legs in any way, which can cause muscle damage and injury.
- The harness should sit 2-4cm (two fingers) behind the front legs to avoid chafing behind the elbow.
- The harness should not go over the head – lots of dogs dislike this sensation, so a clip on the side of the neck should make your dog’s life much easier.
- There should be plenty of length on the back so that if the dog pulls on the harness, there is no soft tissue pressure.
- Avoid lots of material & rough edges as this can cause discomfort, rubbing and matting.
We recommend the BARE Dog harness, which is designed for comfort and safety and meets all of the criteria listed above. It is recommended by our in-house training and behaviour team and you can see it being modelled by some of our team’s own dogs in the featured photos!
Our team can provide a free harness-fitting at WagWorks in Fulham and you can choose your preferred colour and and also a matching training lead if you wish.
Get in touch for more information or to place an order with us.