Do you struggle to get your harness on your Dog?

Well, it is very simple, it just takes patience and cheese! 😊

Why is it such a challenge? Having a harness on should be a good thing so why is that you get the harness out and the dog either runs away or leaps and spins around so you can’t get it on anyway!

The problem is usually due to fear or frustration.

• Frustration – the harness comes out and the dog just gets overexcited. The harness only comes out when it is walkies and they are desperate to get going and frustrated that you are taking so long. This leads to spinning, barking, leaping and possibly zooming around which in turn delays the harness going on and so it continues to escalate.

• Fear – the dog maybe equals the harness going on with discomfort. Maybe the harness doesn’t fit properly, it might pinch or rub delicate areas. either way they anticipate that it is going to be painful and is trying to avoid having it put on.

So how can we make it easier?

To start:

• Make sure the harness fits properly – check out perfect fit harness for made to measure comfort. www.doggames.co.uk

• Teach the dog loose lead walking so as to avoid pulling and therefore reduce discomfort. For more information check out my website www.bark-ology.co.uk and my blog on loose lead walking 😊

Harness Happy hounds in four easy steps.

1. Get your harness, and your cheese (you can use other treats). Hide the harness behind your back, then show it to your dog – reward any interaction. Even if your dog just looks at it initially, and then put it behind your back again. Repeat 10x and then put the harness away. Do this is until the harness appearing becomes ‘no big deal’.

2. Get your harness and hold it open with one hand the other hand will go through the neck opening and you will have cheese at the read. Feed your dog moving closer and closer until the nose is all the way in. take your time, don’t rush. Little and often in repetitions of x10.

3. Get your harness open the neck area with one hand and the other hand have cheese. If you have worked on the first two steps now ask your dog to put the nose right through until the harness is around the neck. Feed. Take it on and off again until the dog is super comfy. Or 10 x repetitions. Do little and often until it is ‘no big deal’

4. Now put the harness over the head and do it up. Feed cheese and take it off. Repeat, repeat, repeat until, Yes you guessed it. It is no big deal.

Check out this awesome video by the wonderful Chirag Patel it will show you in real time how this works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW1OHXdlFeU

This works because:

• If your dog is fearful this will build positive associations.

• If your dog is overexcited it will reduce the excitement and the harness stop being a predictor of walkies

I cannot emphasise enough to take your time, practice little and often and of course you can use treats other than cheese!

If you need help with anything dog related then please do contact me on info@bark-ology.co.uk

If you are interested in learning basic obedience check out my online course school for dogs: https://schoolfordogs.teachable.com/p/bark-ology-level-1

The course has lifetime access, you can work at your own pace and start anytime.

Karen 🐾

www.bark-ology.co.uk