How to Fit a Dog Harness Correctly | Hendricks and Maple
- Rachelle Gosnell
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Fitting your dog with the right harness is essential for comfort, safety, and control. At Hendricks and Maple, we specialise in designer and luxury dog harnesses that are fully adjustable, ensuring the perfect fit. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to measure and fit your dog harness, highlight no-pull and anti-pull harness options, and share tips for choosing the best style for your pup.
Why the Right Dog Harness Matters
A correctly fitted dog harness:
Prevents chafing and discomfort
Offers better control for walking or training
Can reduce pulling and improve leash manners with a no-pull harness
Keeps your dog safe during outdoor adventures and when travelling
Step 1: Measure Your Dog
Before choosing a harness, take accurate measurements:
Neck Girth: Measure around the base of your dog’s neck and add 3cms or insert a few fingers under the tape.
Chest Girth (Largest Part): Measure around the widest part of the ribcage - behind the front legs - and add 3cms or insert a few fingers under the tape.
Back Length (Optional): Some harness styles may require this measurement most do not.
Pro Tip: Watch our Instagram reel where I demonstrate measuring a dog for the perfect fit! https://www.instagram.com/p/DOVAMB1kjP3/
Step 2: Choose the Right Harness Style
There are several harness styles to consider:
H-style or Classic harness: Lightweight and adjustable, perfect for daily walks and often the best for little escape-artists and Houdini's - if your dog walks backwards and steps out of their harness - this may be the style for you.
Step-In-Style harness: This style you put your dogs legs into the holes and it clips at the back (one clip), its great for dogs that do not like things going over their head and dogs that have great variation in their chest and neck ratios - such as tiny necks and large chests (like Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, etc) but easier to step backwards and out of so not recommended if your dog does this. They also have 4 points of adjustment over the 2 points with H style dog harnesses so can be a better fit for odd bods that are hard to fit as the whole adjustment is taken up by all 4 buckles instead of separate neck and chest (2) points.
Adventure harness: an adventure harness is a harness that has 3 quick release buckles for ease of use - so it has a quick release buckle on the neck, so you can open the harness at the neck and do not need to put it over your dogs head if they don't like that. It is adjustable at the neck and the chest points but the chest has 2 quick release buckles (one on each side) so you fully open up the harness completely to put on and is of course adjustable at both side points for an even more custom fit. The Adventure Dog Harness therefore is like a front panel and a back panel style. Its perfect for large dog breeds and usually a go to for them as its often a better fit, more comfortable and easier to get on and off. Typically the very small sizes are hard to get in this style of harness as they are too bulky for very small dog breeds and they are better with other dog harness styles. They typically have a handle on the back of the harness for more control of your dog. Multiple D rings and reflective strips for night or low vision. Often they are made from stronger, waterproof materials with much more complex construction and therefore more expensive to produce. Our Adventure Dog Harnesses sizes range from XS - XL.
No-pull or anti-pull harness: Its important to understand what a NO PULL Dog Harness is and what it is NOT. A NO PULL Dog Harness can be any style of harness as it is not the shape or design that magically stops the dog from pulling. A NO PULL dog harness is ANY dog harness with a front D ring (sometimes on the side but mostly the front). If your harness has a front D ring - its a NO PULL Harness. Its all about how you use the harness though as to whether or not its used as a no pull dog harness. You need to attach a leash to the front D ring of the harness instead of the back D ring so that if your dog pulls they are turned around. You use it to train your dog not to pull. If you don't attach the leash at the front D ring and use it at the back, then you are using a NO PULL Dog Harness the same as any other style of harness. Some designs sadly may actually cut across the front of the dogs legs restricting their movement or gait, thus making the dog unable to take correct strides and actually walk properly - seemingly to instantly stop the dog from pulling. They are actually interfering with the dogs natural gait so they can't walk properly causing issues and should be avoided so never go for a straight strap NO PULL Dog Harness with a strap across the lower chest that prevents the dog from walking properly.
All our Hendricks and Maple dog harnesses are fully adjustable, at both the chest and neck points so you can fine-tune the fit for both comfort and security. We do not sell dog harnesses that are not adjustable at both the chest and neck points. We have both H Style or Classic Style Dog Harnesses, Step in Style Harnesses, Adventure Dog Harnesses and NO PULL Dog Harnesses in all of these designs.
Curious what a true NO PULL dog harness looks like? Watch our quick reel and see the difference https://www.instagram.com/p/DOkvNTxkvHt/
Step 3: Fitting the Harness
Loosen all straps before putting the harness on
Place the harness over your dog’s head (for step-in styles, insert their front paws) or open up the neck clip on an Adventure Dog Harness.
Adjust neck and chest straps so you can fit two-three fingers between the harness and your dog’s body
Clip securely and check movement — your dog should walk, sit, and lie down comfortably wearing the dog harness
See it in action! Watch our Instagram reel showing how to measure a dog for a designer dog harness. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOVAMB1kjP3/
Step 4: Check Comfort and Safety
Ensure there’s no rubbing under the armpits or neck and there is nothing affecting movement of the front shoulder blades
Straps should be snug but not tight make sure you get a larger size if on the end of the sizing range and that you add 3 fingers or 3cms for comfort when sizing
The straps should not restrict the dogs natural gait at the front - go for X or Y shaped front panels over straight horizontal straps across the chest area. Sadly many fad dog harnesses at the moment popular for adding a name patch on the side are using this straight strap at the front style that is too low and restricts the dogs gait and bad for the dog.
Tips for Choosing a Designer or Luxury Dog Harness
Look for high-quality, durable materials that have been safety tested. All Hendricks and Maple Harnesses are made from high quality materials including the metal hardware and strength tested to meet safety standards.
Adjustable straps for growing pups or large breeds, toy or teacup breeds or hard to fit odd bods. All Hendricks and Maple dog harnesses are fully adjustable at both the chest and neck points.
Stylish designs that reflect your dog’s personality - practical and comfortable doesn't mean boring and ugly! Check out Hendricks and Maple dog harness ranges we have over 16 different printed designs and other luxe fabric ranges.
Machine Washable and Easy to Maintain - dogs get dirty! This doesn't mean only black designs - all of Hendricks and Maple Adjustable Dog Harnesses can be washed in the washing machine preferably in a laundry bag, on a cold cycle with mild detergent and laid out in indirect sunlight to dry. Our printed neoprene dog harnesses are quick drying and being machine washable dog harnesses you don't have to avoid light colours or designs either. Perfect for all weather, every day, active use. Beautiful.
Look for details that enhance your dogs experience and comfort such as dog harnesses lined with cooling breathable mesh fabric or padded neoprene collars or soft fabrics that are kind on the skin. Don't go for cheap, junky brands or fads, get quality - it will save you in the long run. Hendricks and Maple only designs high quality dog products.
Support small boutique high quality Australian dog harness brands like Hendricks and Maple! We have considered all of these things in the design stages of all our ranges of luxe designer dog harnesses.
Even if your dog uses a collar and leash and you are wondering if you really need a dog harness - YES YOU DO - you should never have a dog in the car unrestrained and you should never restrain your dog by the collar! So even if you only use a harness for travel - you still need one and a car restraint which you want to ideally attach to the back of the dogs harness - never the neck. Even sudden breaking could cause serious neck and spine injuries to your dog if you are restraining them via a collar when travelling in a vehicle.
So what is the best dog harness for a car? As you may have already surmised, different dog harness styles suit different types of dogs whether that's their size, their behaviour or lifestyles. You need a comfortable, broad chest plate dog harness, securely and correctly fitted for car travel that will support the dogs chest / pull the dogs chest cavity (not their neck) in the event of an accident to reduce injury. If the dog harness is loosely fitted or doesn't fit correctly, the dog will just fly out of it on impact so it must be the right size and fit, however whether that is a Classic or H style dog harness, Step-In-Style dog harness, Adventure dog harness or NO PULL dog Harness that's up to you just make sure that it has been made from high quality materials, strong construction and workmanship, passes safety standards, is a broad padded chest plate design, has multiple points of adjustment, has good quality metal hardware and is correctly fitting and securely connected to the cars seatbelt or anchor points. Your dog needs to be able to sit down and lie down comfortably when in the vehicle.
Choosing and fitting the right dog harness ensures your dog is safe, comfortable, and stylish. Whether you’re shopping for a luxury dog harness, a designer adjustable dog harness, adventure dog harness*, an every day beautiful dog harness or a no-pull training dog harness, Hendricks and Maple has the perfect option for your furry friend.
Browse our full range of dog harnesses here and see them in action on Instagram https://www.hendricksandmaple.com/adjustable-dog-harness-all-designs
Give your BOW some WOW!
*Our new range of ADVENTURE DOG HARNESSES are currently in their design stage and expected to be launched early 2026 with longer chest lengths, beautiful jacquard Hendricks and Maple signature logo embroidered strapping, NO PULL Adventure Harness Design, lined with breathable mesh, reflective piping, rear handle, high quality Oxford fabric in sizes XS up to size XL which will fit up to 110cms chest!
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