Harness
Grooming & Handling · 16 steps · by Push Drop Stick
Your Dog will learn to enjoy having a harness put on and taken off. The Paw Handling plan might be helpful if you need to lift Your Dog's paws to put the harness on.
**Why a harness?** A well-fitted harness is the most comfortable option when Your Dog is on a leash, since it keeps pressure off their sensitive neck, where a collar would press on their throat and windpipe.
**No-pull harnesses:** A harness with a front-clip attachment gives you extra leverage and gently redirects Your Dog back toward you without any pressure on their throat. It is a handy management tool for walks in between loose-leash training sessions.
**Long lines:** If you plan to use a long line for off-leash practice, always attach it to a harness rather than a collar, so a sudden hit at the end of the line cannot hurt Your Dog's neck.
**Puppies:** Getting your puppy happy about putting on and wearing a harness is wonderful socialization during the puppy window (around 4 to 16 weeks), when puppies learn what is safe and normal in their world. Because a young puppy usually has no fear to undo and soaks up new experiences fast, you can often run this plan in **proof mode** (proof levels 1 and 2, the harder review steps) so your puppy breezes through it faster than an adult dog might need. Keep every rep positive and let your puppy set the pace.
**Split:** If Your Dog is fearful of their harness, start the plan on the first split. It can also help to start with a new harness that has no negative history attached to it.
Training steps
Pair the sight of the harness with treats at a distance
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
When Your Dog is not expecting it, show them the harness from a distance and then surprise them by tossing a generous handful of tasty treats so they can eat without getting close to the harness.
Success: Your Dog eats the treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Pair the sight of the harness with treats
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
When Your Dog is not expecting it, show them the harness, then surprise them with a generous handful of tasty treats. Do not approach Your Dog with the harness. Stay where you are and encourage them to come get the treats so they are choosing to approach it themselves. Between reps, sit with Your Dog without feeding them and hide the harness. This contrast builds anticipation and has Your Dog thinking “where is that harness? I want to see it again because it makes great stuff happen!”
Success: Your Dog approaches and eats the treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Put the harness on the floor and sprinkle treats around it
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
When Your Dog is not expecting it, pick up the harness and place it on the floor, sprinkle a generous handful of tasty treats onto and around it, then back away so Your Dog can get close and find the treats without any social pressure.
Success: Your Dog approaches and eats the treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lure toward the head hole
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Hold out the harness as if you are going to put it over Your Dog's head, but instead put your hand through the head hole and feed Your Dog treats continuously for 3 seconds before pulling it away.
Success: Your Dog approaches your hand and eats the treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lure nose into the head hole
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Hold out the harness as if you are going to put it over Your Dog's head, but instead put your hand through the head hole and lure their nose into the hole. Feed treats continuously for 3 seconds before pulling it away.
Success: Your Dog puts their nose into the harness.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lure head into the head hole
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Lure Your Dog's head into the hole and feed treats continuously for 3 seconds before pulling it away.
Success: Your Dog puts their head into the harness.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lure head through the head hole
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Lure Your Dog's head through the hole and feed treats continuously for 3 seconds before pulling it away.
Success: Your Dog puts their head through the harness.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Drop harness onto back
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Lure Your Dog's head through the hole, then drop the harness onto their back and feed treats continuously for 3 seconds before pulling it away.
Success: Your Dog puts their head through the harness.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Put head into harness
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Hold out the harness as if you are going to put it over Your Dog's head, then wait and see if Your Dog approaches and puts their nose or head through the hole on their own without seeing food first. Feed through the harness opening with your other hand.
Success: Your Dog puts their nose through the harness.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Fade the lure
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Hold out the harness for Your Dog to put their head into, then wait and see if Your Dog approaches and puts their head through without seeing food first. Feed through the harness opening with your other hand.
Success: Your Dog puts their head through the harness.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Put the harness on with only 1 clip
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Hold out the harness to put it on Your Dog. When they approach and put their head through the hole, drop it onto their back, then clip up one side before feeding for 3 seconds and taking it off.
Success: Your Dog approaches and allows the harness to be put on.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Put the harness on with a loose fit
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Adjust the harness so it fits loosely, then hold it out to put it on Your Dog. When they approach and put their head through the hole, drop it onto their back, then clip it up before feeding for 3 seconds and taking it off.
Success: Your Dog approaches and allows the harness to be put on.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Put the harness on with a proper fit
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Hold out the harness to put it on Your Dog. When they approach and put their head through the hole, drop it onto their back, then clip it up before feeding for 3 seconds and taking it off.
Success: Your Dog approaches and allows the harness to be put on.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Walk around with it on, feed every 2 steps
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Put the harness on Your Dog and walk around your house, feeding a treat every 2 steps.
Success: Your Dog is relaxed in the harness.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Walk around with it on, feed every 4 steps
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Put the harness on Your Dog and walk around your house, feeding a treat every 4 steps.
Success: Your Dog is relaxed in the harness.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Walk around with it on, feed every 6 steps
Setup: Your Dog is nearby.
Put the harness on Your Dog and walk around your house, feeding a treat every 6 steps.
Success: Your Dog is relaxed in the harness.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Congratulations! You now have a dog who loves their harness and happily volunteers to put it on.
Use plenty of high-value treats on the first few walks and keep the positive association strong by giving Your Dog a treat every time they put it on for a few weeks.
If Your Dog starts avoiding their harness, that's completely okay! Simply Drop back to a step they're comfortable with and work through the plan again or restart the plan with proof steps. Go at Your Dog's pace and do as much training as they need.