Frequently Asked Questions

How does the harness work?

The harness is made for leading your dog forward. The front leash ring and the straps around your dog’s rib cage work together to help your dog know how to follow you.



Does it stop pulling immediately?

Like any product, it depends on how the harness is used. For many dogs, pulling behavior is greatly reduced if not stopped soon after use. For puppies and excitable dogs that are easily distracted, it can take longer.



Does my dog need to be in the heel position or can she be a little in front of me?

It is not necessary for your dog to be in the heel position. She can be a little in front of you.



What is the difference between the SENSE-ation and SENSE-ible harnesses?

The SENSE-ation® harness is the favorite for short hair dogs, it is made with special webbing for extra comfort. The SENSE-ible® harness is a lower cost model of the same patented design and quality construction. It is made with standard, quality materials.



What are the most common fitting problems?

The first is fitting the harness like a regular harness. If all the straps are adjusted tight or snug up against your dog, this is not a good fit. A front leash connection requires the chest strap to be loose enough to give your dog shoulder room and to keep the girth strap away from your dog's front legs. When the chest strap slacks over your dog’s shoulder as you pull your leash sideways or forward, this is a good thing for your dog. The second is fitting the harness too low. The back strap is either not adjusted at all or not adjusted enough. If the chest strap is close to the top of your dog’s front legs, the back strap needs to be adjusted more to keep him comfortable.



Why does the front strap gap when I pull the leash?

When the chest strap slacks (gaps) over your dog’s shoulder, this is GOOD for your dog. It gives him shoulder room to walk comfortably and to step toward you.



Why is the snap buckle placed on the right side of a dog's rib cage instead of behind the dog's shoulder?

This offers long-term comfort for your dog. Otherwise, the buckle would place pressure on your dog’s shoulder muscle and cause soreness.



How can I buckle the harness without getting my dog's hair caught in the snap?

Grasp the short end of the girth strap with your right hand. Hold your fingers together to keep hair away from the buckle. Reach under your dog with your left hand for the long end of the girth strap and buckle.



How do I fit the harness when my dog has short legs?

The same way we fit other dogs. It can be easier to fit short legged dogs when they are up on a table so you can be sure to place the side rings in the right position on your dog’s sides and not too low.



Why should I use a collar with the harness?

... Offers some safety for unexpected behaviors (jumping, lunging, and sniffing) especially in high stimulus environment. ... Prevents the leash from pulling back strap/girth strap (the belt) against your dog’s front legs.
... Provides a way to guide your dog’s head without placing pressure on his trachea.
... Helps prevent the harness from shifting.
... Helps keep the chest strap angled upward. This prevents excessive shifting over a dog’s shoulders.
... Prevents too much load on the chest strap.
... Keeps the chest strap away from a dog's mouth (chewing) when walking on leash.



Can rubbing or chaffing occur with the harnesses?

Yes, if your dog runs on-leash in the harness. A tight fit (especially the chest strap) and inconsistent leash use without using a collar with the harness will also subject dogs to rubbing.



Can my dog slip out of the harness?

If the harness is fit and used correctly, it is unlikely for a dog to slip out of. You can clip your leash to the TOP of the harness leash ring and then clip the leash to your dog's regular collar simultaneously for extra safety.



Is there a problem with running on-leash?

On-leash running subjects dogs to rubbing and irritation from the straps. When dogs run, they need the harness straps to adjust freely to their leg movement. This is only possible when the harness is fit properly and a leash is not attached. Once a leash is clipped to the harness, the leash controls how the straps move.



What is the collar-harness leash attachment?

It refers to clipping the leash to the TOP of the leash ring on our harness and to a regular collar simultaneously. Your leash snap holds both the harness ring and the ring on the collar together. The benefits: ... Prevents the leash from pulling straps against your dog’s front legs.
... Offers safety for unexpected behaviors (jumping, lunging, and sniffing).
... Provides a way to guide your dog’s head.
... Helps prevent the harness from shifting.
... Helps keep the chest strap angled upward. This prevents excessive shifting over a dog’s shoulders.
... Keeps the chest strap away from a dog's mouth (chewing) when walking on leash.



Why does my dog still pull in the harness?

Pulling in the harness is from a tight fit (over-adjusted chest strap) and or from pulling back on the leash.