What’s the most time-consuming part of getting ready for a walk? It might be putting your dog into his harness. Harnesses are popular because they improve handler control, reduce pulling, prevent neck strain and injuries that leashes attached to collars can cause, and support a dog’s body by distributing forces that contribute to anxiety and discomfort.
Why Use a Step-in Harness?
Step-in harnesses are usually fast and easy to put on. Simply hold the harness in front of your dog or lay it flat on the floor, inside-up, then help her step into its leg holes, pull the harness straight up under her belly, and attach its clip or buckle over your dog’s back. This arrangement is comfortable for head-sensitive dogs who dislike anything that goes over their ears or face and, while walking, it places pressure across the chest instead of the neck, which helps dogs with neck injuries or breathing or trachea problems. Step-in harnesses are especially popular for small dogs, and they are often recommended for dogs who fear grooming appointments.
At the same time, because step-in harnesses require positioning the dog’s legs and feet, this style may cause stress in dogs who dislike having their feet handled. Training games that reward dogs for placing their feet in specific locations can simplify the introduction of step-in harnesses for dogs encountering them for the first time.
What To Consider When Choosing a Step-in Harness
Step-in harnesses come in a bewildering assortment of styles, materials, and colors. To simplify your choice, focus on the following features:
Adjustability and fit: A properly fitted harness will keep your dog safe and comfortable. With the help of straps that can be shortened or lengthened, most appropriately sized harnesses can be customized for your dog.
Comfort: Consider how your dog’s comfort may be affected by a harness’s design. Many dogs do well in the simplest of harnesses but be aware that thin fabrics can contribute to chafing or underarm rashes. If your dog has sensitive skin or thin fur, they may be more comfortable in a padded harness.
Leash attachments: Most step-in harnesses have a leash attachment ring on the back, but some have a front-of-chest attachment, and a few come with two leash attachment rings, one in front and another on the back. A step-in harness with a leash attachment on the back is not recommended for strong pullers, for whom a front-of-chest attachment is considered a better choice.
Durable fabrics: Step-in harnesses come in a variety of styles but should be made of durable materials. Most step-in harnesses are made of fabrics that cover much of the dog’s body, but a few are made of straps, like the Lupine Pet Basic Step-in harness that features 1/2-inch, 3/4-inch, or 1-inch-wide nylon webbing in a wrap-around style. The Frisco Step-in Back Clip harness uses four webbing widths to create a different type of step-in harness.
The type of fabric you want in a harness depends on what you plan to use it for. For example, if you’re looking for a harness to take your dog on long walks in warm weather, the Voyager Step-in Air Dog harness is made of breathable air mesh, which is lightweight and promotes air circulation.
Visibility: When walking your dog at night or after dark, a harness with stitched-in reflective details or made from reflective fabric will make your dog more visible under streetlights and headlights. Some harnesses, like the Nova LED Light Harness, are illuminated by built-in LED lights that last up to 10 hours between charging.
| Product and Maker | Best For | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voyager Step-in Air Harness | Small to medium dogs | $15 | Air mesh, double D-rings, Velcro, buckle closure, 9 sizes, 19 colors |
| Lupine Pet Basic Step-in Harness | Everyday use | $18 - $48 | Durable nylon, strong D-rings, 2 adjustment points, 3 strap widths, 6 sizes, 8 colors |
| Nova LED Light Harness | Walking after dark | $64 - $80 | Air mesh, USB rechargeable LED lights, 4 adjustment points, 4 sizes, black/grey, 4 light colors |
| Frisco Step-in Back Clip Harness | Budget | $10 - $12 | Nylon, adjustable wide strap design, buckle closure, 4 strap widths, 4 sizes, black |
| EcoBark Step-in Harness | Toy dogs and puppies | $20 - $23 | Reflective mesh, double padded, anti-rub piping, safety buckle, 7 sizes, 33 colors |
| Sleepypod Clickit Range | Dogs in cars | $127 - $143 | Luggage-grade nylon, crash-tested seatbelt harness, front and back leash connections for walking, 5 sizes in regular or long length, 3 colors |
What Size Step-in Harness Does Your Dog Need?
Most harness websites provide instructions for correct sizing based on your dog’s girth (chest measurement) and collar size (neck measurement). Some include a length measurement along the spine from collar to tail as well.
If your local pet supply store encourages in-person fitting sessions, take your dog to try on different styles. For best results, adjust the harness until two fingers fit snugly between the harness and your dog’s body.
Harnesses are labeled with sizes ranging from XXXS (extra extra extra small) to XXL (extra extra large), but those sizes are meaningless without an accompanying size chart. For example, the EcoBark Step-in Harness is designed for very small dogs, with size XXS for dogs weighing only 2 to 3 pounds and size XL for dogs weighing 20 to 26 pounds.
Introducing Your Dog to a New Harness
Instead of introducing your dog to a walk-in harness as you leave the house for an activity or appointment, plan ahead and try these simple steps.
- Leave the new harness out for your dog to inspect and reward him with treats if he interacts with it.
- Put the harness on gently and carefully when trying it for the first time. Be sure your dog is comfortable before adjusting straps.
- Most puppies adjust quickly to different kinds of leashes, harnesses, collars, and other equipment, but older dogs and recently adopted dogs may need extra time to get used to a step-in harness.
- Make the introduction comfortable by having your dog wear a new harness for just a few minutes at a time, reinforced by rewards and praise
- Go for short walks to give your dog a chance to become used to wearing the harness.
- Combine walks with rewards so that the harness becomes synonymous with fun, rewards, adventures, and other positive experiences.
For a more detailed discussion, see “How to Put a Harness on Your Dog.”
How To Care for a Dog Harness
Harnesses made of nylon or polyester mesh and similar lightweight fabrics are easy to clean and care for. Most are washable, either by hand or with a clothes washer’s delicate laundry setting. Even sturdy walk-in harnesses, like the Sleepypod Clickit Range seatbelt harness, can be hand-washed. Most harnesses should be air-dried
