Short answer
How you put a harness on depends on its style: an over-head harness goes over the head and then fastens round the chest, a step-in harness is laid flat for your dog to step into, and a clip-around harness wraps round the body and clips shut1. Whichever you have, loosen it first, put it on calmly, then adjust it so the front sits on the breastbone and the straps sit clear of the armpits.
Before you start
This article answers one question from our complete guide to how a dog harness should fit.
- Read the instructions that came with your harness. Designs differ, even within one style.
- Work out which way round it goes. Most harnesses have the lead clip on the back and the label or padding on the inside.
- Loosen the straps a little before the first fit. It's easier to tighten a harness on your dog than to wrestle a tight one over its head or legs.
- Choose a calm moment, and have a few treats ready.
Getting your dog used to it
Some dogs need time to get used to wearing a harness. Battersea has a guide to helping your dog get used to a collar, lead and harness1.
Which style do you have?
Battersea describes three common styles: over-head, step-in and clip-around1. If you're not sure which yours is, look at the neck: a closed loop means over-head, two loops side by side mean step-in, and straps with a buckle at the neck and at the chest usually mean clip-around.
How to put on an over-head harness
- Stand or kneel beside your dog, facing the same way, rather than leaning over it from the front.
- Hold the neck loop open and let your dog put its head through. Holding a treat on the far side can help.
- Settle the neck section low, at the base of the neck, with the front resting on the breastbone.
- If your harness has a strap that goes between the front legs, guide it through gently.
- Bring the girth strap round behind the front legs and fasten the buckle. Listen for the click.
- Adjust the straps so the harness sits level, with the lead clip in the middle of the back.
How to put on a step-in harness
- Lay the harness flat on the floor, inside facing up, with the two leg loops in front of your dog's front feet.
- Help your dog step its left front foot into the left loop and its right front foot into the right loop.
- Lift the harness up round the legs and over the shoulders.
- Fasten the buckle or buckles over the shoulders or back.
- Check the leg loops sit round the top of the legs and haven't been pulled up into the armpits.
- Adjust so the front sits on the breastbone and the clip is central.
How to put on a clip-around harness
- Undo the buckles so the harness opens out.
- Place the front section on your dog's chest, with the back section over the shoulders.
- Fasten the buckle round the neck or shoulders first, if your harness has one.
- Bring the girth strap round behind the front legs and fasten it.
- Check every buckle is fully closed and the straps lie flat, with no twists.
- Adjust for a snug, level fit.
Check it's on properly
- Front rests on the breastbone, below the throat.
- Y-shaped front leaves the shoulders free.
- Girth strap behind the front legs, clear of the armpits.
- Lead clip in the middle of the back.
- The front sits on the breastbone, not on the throat. A good harness avoids pressure on the neck1.
- The girth strap is behind the front legs and clear of the armpits.
- The lead clip is in the middle of the back (or chest, on a front-clip harness).
- It's snug according to your brand's fitting guide (Bailey & Coco, for example, says you should be able to fit two fingers under any strap2), and doesn't slide over the shoulders when you pull the lead gently backwards.
- No straps are twisted and no spare strap is flapping.
How snug?
See how tight should a dog harness be? for the full answer.
Signs it's on the wrong way round
If any of these happen, take it off, lay it flat, and start again with the instructions to hand.
- The lead clip is underneath your dog, or the padding is on the outside.
- The straps cross over or twist.
- The front strap sits across the shoulders or throat instead of down the chest.
- One side looks much tighter than the other.
Taking it off
Reverse the steps: unclip the girth strap first, then lift the harness off over the head or let your dog step out. We suggest taking the harness off at home when you're not walking, so it can't snag on anything while your dog is unsupervised.
Breed harness guides
Every breed fits a harness a little differently. These guides cover the sizes in each brand, how to measure that breed, and the styles that suit it.
- Cockapoo harness sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Labrador Retriever harness sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Chihuahua harness sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- German Shepherd Dog harness sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
Find your dog's harness size All breeds
Questions
Which harness style is easiest to put on?
It depends on your dog. A step-in harness avoids going over the head, and a clip-around harness avoids both the head and the feet. An over-head harness is quick once your dog is used to it. Battersea lists all three as common styles1.
My dog hates things going over its head. What should I use?
A step-in or clip-around harness, which go on without passing over the head1.
How do I know the harness is the right way round?
The lead clip should be on top, the padding against your dog, and the front strap down the middle of the chest. If straps cross or twist, take it off and start again.
Should I leave my dog's harness on all the time?
We suggest taking it off at home when your dog isn't being walked, so it can't snag on anything, and so you can check the skin underneath.
Do I need to adjust the harness every time I put it on?
Not fully, but we suggest a quick check each time: front on the breastbone, girth strap clear of the armpits, clip in the middle. Straps can loosen with use.