We help you find the right harness style and fit.
A well-fitted harness is really, really important. It can improve physical well-being, help your dog feel more relaxed (which often reduces pulling!), and make walking so much nicer for both of you.
We help you get the right size and style, including for special medical needs and can even order in a variety of harnesses we don’t stock as standard.
We stock fleece Y-front harnesses as standard – and can order in other styles and brands
For most dogs, a properly fitted Y-front fleece harness is fantastic and we always have these in stock. If you know what you want and are happy to measure, you can choose straight away from the ranges here.
Or you can book a harness advice and sizing/fitting session
We help you work out what style of harness will be most suitable for your dog, taking into account your dog’s lifestage, behaviour, the sort of walks and activities you like to do, specific needs like physical support or car travel and any medical conditions (for example fitting around pacemakers, amputations or surgical sites, in conjunction with your vet or physiotherapist’s advice where appropriate).
These are sessions are perfect if
- you’re not sure if a harness is right for your dog
- you’re not sure which harness to choose and want advice about fit, material or design
- you find it really hard to measure your dog and want a hand to do it right!
- you want something specific like a car harness (crash-tested of course) or a harness to support medical rehabilitation
- your dog has struggled with harnesses in the past and you’re not sure why
- your dog finds it stressful to go into a shop to try harnesses on
- you want to know exactly how to fit and adjust the harness when it arrives, so it is calm and easy for both of you
As you might expect, we ONLY recommend ethical, safe, comfortable harnesses which focus on your dog’s comfort and well-being.
Sessions are 30 minutes, for 1 dog only and generally take place via zoom, although we can sometimes offer in-person in the Nantwich area.
There is no obligation to purchase your harness from us – sometimes we may even recommend a harness we don’t stock. It’s about what is best for you and your dog.
For more information and to book your session, just fill in the contact form below and we will give you a call to answer any questions and arrange a time.
Our guide to choosing the right harness for your dog
Harnesses are fantastic, but can also be a bit of a minefield. Getting the right type and fit of harness is incredibly important and not always easy – there are some amazing brands on the market and some which are, honestly, pretty rubbish.
So what do you need to consider when choosing a harness?
Style – for most dogs a soft, y-front harness works well for walks and general day to day use. Sometimes different shapes or designs are needed, but these are usually for ‘special considerations’ (see below) like medical needs.
Materials – how flexible is the material and/or webbing, will it rub, is it waterproof, does it wash well, how much padding is there, will it cause coats to tangle, how wide are the straps? Generally speaking, the thinner the straps, the more likely they are to dig in and cause discomfort. The wider the strap the better it distributes force, but also becomes heavier and bulkier and can alter the fit. A careful balance is needed.
Fit – this is all about where the straps come into contact with the body to distribute the force of any pulling. It is really important that harness straps avoid structures which could be injured (shoulders and related tendons), that they sit on hard bony structures (like the manubrium) rather than pulling into the soft tissue at the base of the throat and that they avoid delicate areas of skin and nerves (armpits!). The fit needs to allow for a really good range of movement, whilst feeling stable and not moving around too much. The style and material can also affect how it sits and how well it stays in place. Adjustability (in all dimensions) is really important to get a good fit and also allows for adjustment over coats or as coats grow longer (or are clipped off!)
Ease of putting on – does it have to go over your dog’s head or do you need to lift legs to put it on? Ideally not – it’s a nicer experience if it can simply be pieced around your dog.
Safety – sturdy clasps, solid stitching and sometimes, if needed, options to add an additional strap to prevent dogs backing out in an emergency (escape-proof harnesses).
Attachment points – where you attach a lead is really important. Sometimes you might want just want point of attachment (on the back), sometimes you might prefer two (back and on the chest), but there is also a big difference between an attachment point which sits towards the centre of your dog’s back and one which is nearer the shoulder blades. It will affect both their sense of balance and stability and yours!
Special considerations – crash testing (for car harnesses), being supportive enough to use for assisting with movement (e.g. in older or injured dogs), fitting to avoid pacemakers or amputation sites or wounds.
We also have years of experience in finding little workaround ideas to make harnesses just that bit better for your individual dog – from creating fleece sleeves to adding elasticated panels. The priority is always for your dog to be comfortable and safe and you to feel confident in your choice.
