How to train your dog to wear a harness

Does your puppy try to avoid wearing their harness?

This can be really annoying!!!

You’re ready to go walkies and they’re all keen until you bring out the dreaded harness, at which point they turn putting the harness on into a game of chase, which is infuriating for you but maybe a bit fun for them (and perhaps a little bit scary, like being chased by a crazed zombie).

But don’t despair. In this video, I give you some tips to teach your dog to enjoy wearing their harness.

Why should you use a harness?

• Harnesses give you more touch-points on your dog’s body so they make it easier to control your dog.

• If you have a large dog, or a dog who lunges after people, cats, or dogs, having them wear a harness can really help prevent injuries to your shoulders & back.

• If your dog pulls on a leash, get an anti-pull harness. Don’t use a regular harness because these often cause dogs to pull forward, so are not very helpful.

• No harness will completely prevent pulling. You’ll need to pair the harness with loose-leash training for the best results,  but I use harnesses all the time and they are really helpful.

• Whatever type of harness you choose, make sure it fits your dog correctly and isn’t too tight or too loose.

• If your dog has a little neck or is a small dog, harnesses are better than a regular collar because your pup’s not going to choke and you’re not going to damage their neck.

• If your dog’s neck is larger than their head (greyhound, bull terrier), also fit them with a martingale collar and use a leash with two clips so you can clip one end to the collar and one to the harness, which will prevent the harness from slipping over their head if they stop suddenly or backup.

How to make the harness a good thing for your dog

Whenever you’re training your dog to do or wear something they wouldn’t in the wild, you should help them build up a positive association with that thing.

This may take a few sessions, especially if your pup has already built up a negative association to their harness.

The step by step method to teach your dog to wear a harness

Start when you’re not desperate for a walk, otherwise it’s stressful for you and your pup.

You can use treats or their regular food and train this at mealtimes.

1.       Show your dog the harness, when they sniff it, give them a treat

2.       Touch the harness to your dog & treat them

3.       Lay the harness on the dog – whether over their head or on their back depending on the style, then take it off and treat

4.       Lay the harness on and treat them with it on, then remove the harness

5.       Put the harness on and do it up, treat, then remove the harness

6.       Keep the harness on and treat regularly, increasing the duration in 30-second increments.

8.       Put the harness on, let them wear it around the house, play with them to distract them and to help normalize the sensation

9.       Leash them up and go for a walk

You won’t always have to use treats. Eventually, the walk becomes a treat!

Do you find that puppy parenting is proving to be more challenging than you anticipated?

Is your adorable bundle of fluff acting like a bit of a maniac at times?

Are they:

·         Refusing to sleep in?

·         Jumping up on you?

·         Destroying all your favourite things?

·         Chewing your hands, feet, and clothes?

·         Peeing and pooping all over your house?

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