So you have a furry friend and you want to train them right. 

What can be any better idea than using a harness? It distributes the pressure from the neck of the dog to the larger surface of their body, thus allowing the trainer/owner to get greater control over the movement of the dog. 

Whether you are considering switching to leash from the collar or you are already using a harness, there are several aspects you should keep in mind. 

For starters, whether a harness is helpful for a dog or not depends on the breed you have, their behavior, and the type of harness. To help you more, here are some dos and don’ts of using a dog harness that you should know before introducing one to your dog.

Dos 

Check the fitting

Fix the harness properly on your dog. Before trying, get some tips and instructions from the internet or local pet shop. 

Pull in the opposite direction

Always pull in the opposite direction of the direction your dog is pulling. If the dog is pulling towards the left, turn to the right; if the dog is rushing in front, turn around and move to the opposite. 

Changing direction is helpful in diverting your dog's attention.

Hold the leash correctly

Always hold the leash of the harness in the hand nearer to the dog. Firmly hold the leash through its loop for better control. 

Set yourself

Walk forward with the dog walking on the leash. 

Set yourself stationary when the dog starts pulling, do not move. Take their name to call them to you and take a few steps back until they reach up to you. Make sure you reward them for their good behavior and start walking forward again. It will make the walk of your dog more enjoyable while getting used to the harness.

Take a short walk

While your canine is learning how to walk with a harness, try taking some short walks; let them get used to it. 

Don’ts 

Don’t pull

Pulling the harness with force can hurt your dog. 

To reduce the pull, you can tie two knots on the harness and walk near to your dog as much as possible. No-pull harnesses are also available in the market so you can opt them too. 

Don’t be impatient

Being impatient with your dog while they are wearing a harness can ruin their joy of walking. Be patient while walking, fitting, or removing the harness as it could hurt your dog, especially if they are small.

Don’t use back-clip for beginners

Back-clip harnesses grant more control to dogs while walking. However, these are suitable for trained dogs such as police or tracking dogs, not for your beloved pet. 

In the beginning, dogs feel uneasy with new things, but make sure to train them with love and care. Further, it is always better to take advice and training from experts before using a harness.

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