A back clip dog harness is an important tool for dog owners to keep the dog safe and comfortable on walks and runs. But if the harness is not properly fitted, it can cause your dog discomfort or even injury. In this blog post, we’ll show you how is a back clip harness correctly fitted so your dog can enjoy all the benefits of this type of harness.
Dogs are natural pullers, and unless you have a dog’s harness that helps to distribute their weight evenly, your arm will quickly start to feel the strain. That’s where back clip harnesses come in. Back clip harnesses are designed to attach to your dog’s leash at their center of gravity, making it easier for you to control them on walks and runs.
Types Of Back Clip Dog Harnesses
There are a few different types of back clip harnesses on the market, each with its advantages.
No Pull Back Clip Harness
The most popular type is the no-pull back clip harness, which has a front ring that attaches to your dog’s leash. This type of harness prevents your dog from pulling by redirecting its attention back to you when they start to pull ahead.
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Back Clip Step In Dog Harness
Another popular type of back clip harness is the step-in harness. This harness is easy to put on and take off, which is ideal if you have a fidgety or anxious dog who doesn’t like being restrained. Step-in back clip also harnesses evenly distributes pressure across your dog’s chest and shoulders, which makes them more comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Vest Style Back Clip Harness
Finally, there’s the vest-style back clip harness. Vest-style harnesses are great for dogs with long fur, as they help prevent matting and discomfort. They also have a variety of pockets where you can store treats, poop bags, or other essential items while you’re out on a walk.
How To Fit A Back Clip Harness
Fit B (Back) Strap
The back strap is the horizontal strap that runs along your dog’s back. Start by holding the back strap at the center of your dog’s back and threading it through the D-ring on the front of the harness. Then, pull the back strap up and over your dog’s shoulders. The back strap should sit snugly against your dog’s fur without being too tight.
Fit G (Girth) Strap
The girth strap is the vertical strap that goes around your dog’s chest. Start by holding the girth strap at the center of your dog’s chest and threading it through the D-ring on the back of the harness. Then, pull the girth strap up and over your dog’s shoulders. The girth strap should sit snugly against your dog’s fur without being too tight.
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Fit C (Chest) Strap
The chest strap is the horizontal strap that runs along your dog’s chest. Start by holding the chest strap at the center of your dog’s chest and threading it through the D-ring on the back of the harness. Then, pull the chest strap up and over your dog’s shoulders. The chest strap should sit snugly against your dog without being too tight.
Check Fit
Once you have all three straps fitted, take a step back and check to ensure the harness is not too loose or tight. You should be able to fit two fingers between any of the straps and your dog’s fur. If you can’t, try loosening or tightening one of the straps until you get a comfortable fit.
Tips To Correctly Fit
- The first tip is to find the right size harness for your dog. If the harness is too big, your dog can wiggle out of it; if it’s too small, it will be uncomfortable and could restrict your dog’s movement.
- The clip should be placed on the top of the shoulder blades, in line with your dog’s spine. This is the most comfortable position for your dog and will allow you to have the most control over them while walking or running.
- Another thing to keep in mind is that most back clip harnesses have adjustable straps. These allow you to customize the fit of the harness so that it’s just right for your pup—so be sure to take advantage of them!
- Finally, ensure that the tags on the collar are securely fastened and that the strap connecting the front and back of the harness is not too loose. Once you’ve done all of these things, you’re ready to go!
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How To Help Your Dog Enjoy A Harness
Start Slow
The first time you put the harness on your dog, don’t try to go for a walk right away. Just let your dog wear it around the house for a few minutes so they can get used to the feel of it. You might even want to treat your pup while they are wearing the harness to get them used to the positive association.
Use Positive Reinforcement
As you start taking your dog for walks with the harness, praise them and give them treats along the way. This will help them realize that good things happen when they wear their harnesses.
Be Patient
Your dog might take a little while to get used to its new harness. But eventually, with patience and positive reinforcement, your dog will come to enjoy it – and you’ll both be happier!
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The Benefits of Back Clip Harnesses
It would help if you considered getting a back clip harness for your dog for several reasons.
Easily Distribute The Weight
First, as we mentioned before, back clip harnesses help to evenly distribute your dog’s weight, making it easier for you to control them on walks and runs. Additionally, back clip harnesses provide more control over your dog than front clip harnesses do. With a front clip harness, your dog can easily pull you in whatever direction they want to go. However, it’s much harder for them to pull you off-course with a back clip harness.
Discourage Dog From Pulling
Another benefit of back clip harnesses is that they discourage dogs from pulling. Because back clip harnesses attach to your dog’s center of gravity, it’s more difficult for them to pull you when wearing one. As such, back clip harnesses are often used by trainers to help teach dogs not to pull on their leash.
They Are More Comfortable
Finally, back clip harnesses are more comfortable for dogs than front clip harnesses. Front clip harnesses can put undue pressure on your dog’s chest and throat, making them uncomfortable (or even choking). However, because back clip harnesses attach to your dog’s center of gravity, they don’t put unnecessary strain on their chest or throat.
Conclusion
A back clip harness is a great way to keep your dog safe and comfortable while you are out walking or hiking. It is important to make sure that you choose the right size harness for your dog and adjust the straps so that it fits snugly but not too tightly.
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