Giving your furry friend a walk is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, and an easy walk harness can make the process easier. These harnesses are designed to be easily put on and taken off, and they feature a clip that attaches to your dog’s leash.
But how is an easy walk harness correctly attached?
In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to attach an easy walk harness to your dog properly, and why you need one.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to do it quickly and easily every time.
Let’s get started!
What Is An Easy Walk Harness?
An easy walk harness is designed to make it easier to take your dog for a walk. They’re also sometimes called no-pull harnesses because they discourage dogs from pulling on their leash.
When the leash goes through the front of an easy walk harness, it can lead your dog in whatever direction you want him to go without him pulling you in the opposite direction.
Since these harnesses have a leash attachment at the front of them, it’s helpful to learn how to attach an easy walk harness before using one.
How To Attach An Easy Walk Harness Correctly?
It’s best to adjust each strap separately for the easy walk harness to fit your dog correctly. Begin with the shoulder strap and then move on to the belly strap. This will ensure that the harness is safe and provide a secure fit.
Shoulder
- The shoulder strap should be placed over the dog’s head
- It should be adjusted so that the connector rings are above and behind your dog’s shoulder
- Secure the belly strap
- When you attach the quick-snap buckle, adjust the belly strap to fit the dog’s girth
- After the shoulder and stomach straps have been connected and adjusted, ensure they are as straight as possible.
- The harness straps should fit snugly around your dog’s neck. You should have a tight fit between the harness straps and your dog’s body.
It is essential to ensure a snug fit because the shoulders and belly straps create the foundation that holds the harness in place. This prevents it from moving around on the dog. Rotation or movement can cause discomforting rubbing and chafing.
The Chest Strap
After the shoulder and stomach straps have been adjusted, attach the chest strap. The chest strap should be horizontally fitted and not too close to the dog’s neck. Adjust both adjustors of the strap equally so that the martingale loop stays in the middle.
If the harness is properly fitted, your dog should be able to see the side of the harness. The harness should look like a T-shaped sideways.
That’s it! Clip the leash to your dog’s martingale loop and you’re ready to take him for a walk!
Hint: When on a walk, turn off your phone. You can use the walk to create a calm environment for your dog and yourself. Talk to your dog. Bond and connect with him or her, and give them treats to make the walk more enjoyable.
How Tight Should An Easy Walk Harness Be?
The harness of your dog should not be too strong to cause injury. However, it should not allow your dog to reach out and grab anything that could hurt or entrap you.
Finger control is a good idea. If you can fit the width of your index finger between the harness at the chest strap or if it deflects when you push on it, then it is not tight enough.
It should feel comfortable to place your finger comfortably on your neck (perhaps your index finger for women, and your little finger for men).
These methods apply to harnesses for dogs and cats. It should be comfortable enough for the animal to feel relaxed – not be upset and can move, eat, drink, or show any signs of fear.
However, if you notice redness on your dog’s skin, or you can see any signs of injury, the harness is too tight. To fix this, loosen the harness and fit it again
Furthermore, never leave your dog unattended with the harness on. It could get caught on something, potentially causing injury.
Check your harness regularly for wear and tear. If it is, replace it with a new one because the strength of the fabric will have weakened over time – especially if it has been worn during walks or other strenuous activities.
If you are still unsure about how tight the harness is or any other safety concerns, speak to a licensed vet.
Why Do You Need An Easy Walk Harness?
A harness is a great alternative for dogs who pull on the leash.
However, if you have a difficult dog – one that slips out of his collar or even one that has a thick coat in the summer – an easy walk harness may be best because it prevents pressure from being applied to your dog’s neck when he pulls on the leash.
When you walk your pup, his entire body moves forward. This means the harness will tighten when he pulls on the leash and redirect the pressure towards his chest instead of his neck.
An easy walk harness is great for training dogs that pull on their leashes, but it can also be used with other types of collars because the harness works on the principle of forward and hind movements.
The design is to discourage your dog from pulling and to make walking with you a more positive experience for them – so that they look forwards rather than backward.
Furthermore, an easy walk harness requires less maintenance than a standard or no-pull harness.
The back strap will tighten and lose itself when the dog pulls.
Standard and no-pull harnesses require tightening and loosening of straps to accommodate movement, but an easy walk does not because it has a back strap that tightens and loosens with each step your dog takes.
This means you will spend less time and effort adjusting the harness during your walks.
How Does An Easy Walk Harness Work?
Forward and hind movements are the key to understanding how an easy walk harness works.
When your dog pulls, the front leash attachment pulls forward and tightens the back strap – along with increasing pressure on your dog’s chest.
This causes your pup to look towards you instead of at other distractions like squirrels or cars that may be crossing his path.
He will learn that pulling will not help him go forward but actually hinder his progress, stopping him in his tracks.
As a result of this physical training, your dog should begin to look at you less and forward more – making walking with you far easier than before.
The design is unlike other harnesses on the market because they have a flexible ring on the front of the harness.
This enables your dog to turn left or right, not forwards and backward like an easy walk – so you will find it difficult to keep him in line while walking.
However, many dogs do appreciate that the design makes them feel more comfortable because they are less likely to choke when they pull.
What’s also great about the easy walk harness is that it often has a design on the front of the chest strap so your dog looks stylish while out on walks too!
People Also Ask
Where Does The Leash Attach To An Easy Walk Harness?
The leash attaches to the front of the chest strap. This is the best place for it because this will encourage your dog to look forward rather than at his feet or other distractions.
What Makes Dogs Hate Harnesses?
For some dogs, harnesses are uncomfortable to wear. If your dog is wearing the harness around his neck all day long – instead of just when he goes for walks – it can be irritating and your pooch will become upset and distressed.
Conclusion
An easy walk harness is ideal for training dogs to stop pulling on the leash.
It attaches in the front of the dog’s chest – not his neck, like traditional harnesses do – and prevents your pooch from looking at other distractions when walking with you.
The design makes it a great alternative for dogs who have thick coats because it will sit below the neck where other harnesses would normally rub against your dog’s fur.
If you have a fussy pup that dislikes his current harness, try switching to an easy walk.
You may be surprised at how much better he walks and behaves when wearing one!
Does your dog use an easy walk harness? Share your experience in the comments section below.
