If you’re planning on buying a vest harness for your dog, it’s essential to ensure you get the right size. The best way to do this is by measuring your dog. Measure your dog’s chest circumference and neck girth with a soft tape measure. Be sure to pull the tape snugly but not tight.
Measure Your Dog
Whether you’re looking for a vest harness for your dog to wear when they go out for walks, a coat to keep them warm and dry, or a doggy life jacket, it’s essential to know your dog’s measurements before purchasing any gear, visit sites like Activedogs.com. These measurements will help you select the appropriate size, avoid exchanges or returns, and ensure your dog is comfortable. First, you need to determine your dog’s neck and chest size. This is done by measuring around your dog’s neck, where a collar would naturally sit, and around their chest, the most significant part of their rib cage. If your dog’s neck and chest measurements fall within the range of two harness sizes, choose the more practical option. To do this, take a soft tape measure or a printable one and loop it around your dog’s neck. Pull the tape so that it’s snug but not too tight. When you’ve finished measuring, record the measurement.
Adjust the Harness
The harness straps should fit snugly but not too tight to ensure your dog’s safety in the car. To ensure the harness fits properly, adjust the four adjustment points on the straps, so they are evenly distributed across your dog’s shoulders and chest. This is the key to avoiding any chafing. To adjust the straps, pull up the ladder lock and down on the webbing to loosen or pinch the webbing to tighten the harness. Detach the grey adjustment clip from the harness attachment loop to change the shoulder height position. Reattach the clip to a harness loop that fits your dog’s torso.
Adjust the Straps
Some vest harnesses come with adjustable straps that you can use to make them fit your dog better. They may have sliders that you can move to change the length of each strap, which makes them easier to adjust and more comfortable for your dog. When you put on a vest harness, you want the front strap to be about one inch behind the front leg and the back strap to be about an inch behind the rear portion. This will ensure that the straps are snug around your dog’s body but not cut into his skin. Once the straps are adequately placed, mark where the buckle hits using a clip. Then thread the straps through the pins. The front chest strap should be adjusted to the desired tightness (Tracking Harness: repeat for the rear chest strap). This is a quick and easy step because the belt is looped through the buckle. Now you can remove the vest and test for tightness by slipping two fingers between the harness and your dog’s body. You’ll need to loosen the straps and take them off if it’s too tight.
Adjust the Buckle
The best way to fit a harness is to measure your dog and find a vest with a fit that is not too snug. This will prevent your pup from getting snagged on furniture, other pets, or people. If you have a hefty dog, buy a vest-style harness with an adjustable chest strap. These come in handy when your puppy is growing up, and you want to accommodate their new enlarged chest. Finally, using a quality harness with a patented buckle is an excellent idea to reduce the risk of pinching or choking your pooch. This is especially important for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or any other condition that can lead to injury when the collar comes off. To test out the vest, you’ll need a bit of patience and a few dog-friendly snacks. The biggest challenge will be locating a suitable size; this is where your vet can help you! This will be a great way to bond with your pet and have fun.
Remove the Harness
Getting your dog used to wearing a vest harness can be challenging, especially for squirmy breeds. You might have to spend time with your dog and give them lots of treats while wearing it, so they get used to the concept. Ideally, the vest should fit snugly around your dog’s chest area. It should not bunch up his skin or leave indentations in his fur. Some vest harnesses have pads in pressure points that keep the saddle from digging into your dog’s skin or causing painful rashes and scrapes. Others are padded with neoprene or fleece. In addition to being comfortable, a vest harness should be secure and prevent your dog from jumping out of it. It should have a leash attachment in the front and a handle on the back for easy control. Before buying a vest harness, you should also measure your dog’s neck and girth. This will ensure that you’re purchasing a manageable vest for your dog.
