‘My U.S.A’ American Flag Dog Harness for German Shepherd

Fundamentally, a harness is a more humane tool than a collar in most situations. The harness provides more comfortable experience both for a dog and for his/her owner. It makes your dog more manageable as it provides better control and better communication. Your dog won’t feel pressure on his/her neck or any painful choking that may occur when he/she pulls. The harness removes the pressure from the neck, making it more secure for your canine to wear.

Dogs who pull and lunge are at risk for getting injured with a traditional collar, when a harness takes the strain off the neck and throat, thus it is safer for your pet. Dogs with leg or back injuries and aging dogs could benefit from a harness too, especially helpful are models equipped with a handle on the back, so that the owner can step in and assist as needed. A harness can be used for walking, training, pulling, sledding and other daily activities.

A harness is designed to be safe to leave it on for extended periods when the situation calls for it. When properly sized and put on, your pet will feel comfortable while harnessed. However, we suggest to give your dog breaks.  Please, check for overheating if you leave the harness on for a too long period of time. Let your doggie sleep without the harness if it is possible.

Get your dog used to wearing a harness by putting it on for the short periods of time. After use check if there are any abrasions - just run your hands over your pet’s body. Skin irritations are usually easily identified by dry, flaking or reddish skin. When a dog is uncomfortable, he/she will often lick the affected area. Signs of irritation or allergies usually include licking and chewing, hair loss, runny nose and sneezing.

In the majority of cases, a harness reduces the dog’s inclination to pull. It gives an owner of a large and powerful dog additional control. It is very important especially for those who have taken on an adult dog with ingrained pulling habit.

We offer a nylon winter coat that is wind- and waterproof. It covers almost the entire dog’s body from the neck to the tail, letting your pet stay dry and accumulate the heat. You can read more about it on its page.

The padding is really vital if your dog doesn’t have substantial hair and his/her skin is prone to being traumatized by friction from the harness.

The majority of dogs that are accustomed to a collar and a leash don’t require special training. They seem to understand that the harness is just a different form of an invitation to go for a walk. However, some pets don’t like wearing the harness or try to remove it. In this case it’s necessary to adjust it correctly for your dog’s better comfort.

Firstly, make sure that the harness doesn’t cause any discomfort to your doggie. It may rub or cut into the skin. Then customize the size better. Secondly, try positive reinforcement. Give your pet treats when putting the harness on. Thirdly, you can switch to a different type of the harness that is more comfortable or easier to wear.

A harness is considered as an effective way for teaching dogs not to pull.  It can be used for easier management on daily walks, special occasions such as dog shows and others. Harness is not just a training tool. You can use it for the lifetime management.

You can start using a harness when your puppy is ready to be trained for a leash. But don’t leave a harness on your doggie for a long time until he/she is fully grown. Permanent wear may inhibit proper bone development of a puppy.

When the harness is of the right size and fitted properly, it is almost impossible for a supervised dog to escape. But there are times, when a dog can chew through the chest portions. Please, don’t leave your dog unsupervised in a harness.

Surely, a dog harness is more effective tool to control large breeds than a collar with a leash. A dog who pulls hard in a harness doesn’t choke himself/herself.  But, when a leash goes slack, the dog’s own strength lifts it up so, his/her front legs can’t get traction anymore.

All the harnesses are designed to be easy to put on your dog. It just takes a few seconds to adjust for proper fit. So, firstly put your canine in a standing or sitting position. Then slip the harness over the dog’s head. The larger loop goes first and the smaller one goes second. Make sure that a D-ring is positioned on the back. After that lift one of the dog’s paws up and slide it into the loop. Buckle the harness, so that your pet’s other leg is in the proper leg hole. If the buckle doesn’t reach to allow you to close it, please, loosen the strap. When the harness is buckled, adjust it for proper fit. You should be able to slip two fingers underneath any strap to ensure that it is not too snug. Try to pull the gear over your dog’s head to make sure that it is secure.

Treating of nylon harness requires minimal effort. Nylon is very durable, easy to wash and does not require ironing. Clean the nylon harness with a damp cloth. When washing, use an ordinary powder and water no warmer than 50°. This material dries fast and does not take much space to store.

As for a leather harness, wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth. To remove more stubborn dirt use a little water, mild soap and a soft-bristled toothbrush. After cleaning, wipe the harness down with a clean dry cloth. Do not dry leather equipment on the radiator or near the heater. Only air dry is recommended. Prevent from straight sun rays during the dry.

A badly fitted harness can cause discomfort to your dog. If it is too tight, it will restrict your pet’s motions. Moreover, the harness will not let a dog use the muscles correctly. It can cause skin rubbing especially under the armpits. But if the harness is too loose, your canine can maneuver  out of the harness which causes an increased risk of the dog either running off or getting into an accident.

Finding a well-suited harness for your dog depends on different factors. That includes whether your pet pulls on the lead, his/her size and shape, what the fur is like and his/her own individual likes and dislikes. For example, if your canine doesn't have thick fur, a harness with felt padding will help feel comfortable. The long fur can get caught up in the velcro straps if they are present in the harness. Ultimately, the owner knows his/her pet better than any dog harness manufacturer. So, weigh all pros and cons and then make your choice.

Leather is a hypoallergenic material that doesn’t cause skin rubbing or irritation. But many dog owners prefer nylon harnesses for easy and quick washing. Iit is recommended to use a nylon dog harness for wet weather and high humidity climate. Both nylon and leather harnesses are suitable for dry weather. Treat the leather harness with the special conditioner to use it in wet weather as well.

Measure the circumference of the dog’s neck and the broadest part of the chest (usually it is right behind the armpits). This information is necessary to figure out the best harness size for your dog. If your pet is between sizes, choose the bigger one. You can adjust the harness to fit it tighter. But if the supply is too small, you won’t be able to use it at all. If you are not sure which size to choose, contact us for immediate professional assistance.

A handle on the back lets the owner step in and assist when it is necessary. Dogs with injuries, arthritic dogs, aging dogs and three-legged dogs often need help climbing in and out of vehicles or up and down stairs. In various cases a harness with the handle allows the owner to help their pup navigate.

Back-clip harnesses are used more often than the front-clip ones. The harness with a D-ring positioned on the back doesn’t put any pressure on the dog’s neck. It is comfortable and easy to put on. This type of a gear is suitable for the dogs with a sensitive trachea. But it is not designed for improvement of the canine’s behavior. Front-clip harnesses are very popular with the trainers, as in a combination with the teaching methods, they help to reduce pulling. They also afford more control over the dog. Consider your individual needs before choosing the harness.