Adjusting the Non-stop Freemotion sled dog harness

How do I know which Freemotion size to order?

We have measured the Freemotion harness accurately on the product page of our online store, so that size selection is easier.

First of all, compare your dog's weight and size class with the reference weight and breed examples mentioned in the table. Once you've settled on a potential harness size based on these, see what size the neck opening of that harness is. Divide this measurement by two and take a length of measuring tape in your hands. The tape measure should be flexible, don't use a metal tape measure. Pro tip: If you don't have a fabric tape measure, you can use a pre-measured shoelace or charger cord, for example.

• Example: Your dog is 34 kg standing. The potential size would seem to be size 7 based on the weight and the breed. According to the table, the neck opening seems to be 53 cm. So take a 26.5 cm piece from the tape measure.

I have a piece of measuring tape in my hands, now what?

Measure the length of the measuring tape from the very top of the tip of the dog's sternum to the neck to the front of the shoulder blades. The measuring tape should be in a very tight straight line, so that it runs completely on the front side of the dog's shoulders - just like the neck opening of the pulling harness should stay even with a proper pull. You can see the point in question in the picture below. Is that measure exactly enough? Good, then the neckline of that size is probably very close to the correct fit.

More precisely and to be placed in the right place you get the measurement when you measure the dog from one side only (as in the picture below) and multiply it by two. By measuring the entire circumference, you would probably get a much too large measurement result. 

What if my dog ​​doesn't seem to fit the measurements in the table?

If in doubt, let us know by e-mail your dog's information, so we can help you choose.

I have a Freemotion harness, how do I put it on and take it off?

Getting dressed is made much easier by opening the velcro on the back. Thread the dog's head into the harness through the neck opening. This is easier if you turn the harness to the width of the neck opening in relation to the dog's head, especially if the dog has wide ears. After that, lift the front legs one by one into the leg openings. Close the Velcro on the back and tighten the side straps to fit (so that they fit snugly against the sides but do not press). Carefully move the dog's hair and "excess skin" away from under the neck opening so that the harness can fit well.

The harness is a bit stiff when new, but it flexes quickly in use, making it easier to put on and take off. When undressing, open the velcro on the back again and, if necessary, also loosen the ice on the sides . Pull the harness a little closer to the dog's neck, and lift the front legs out of the leg openings. Freemotion, which has become slouched in use, comes off the head of most dogs even without lifting the legs: just open the velcro on the back and pull the harness over the standing dog's head. This is done when the dog bows its head down.

Have I adjusted the Freemotion harness correctly?

Before moving on to the actual fit check, it's time to make sure the adjustments are correct.

• Close the transverse velcro on the back
• Remove the "extras" from under the neck opening, i.e. the most hair for a thick-furred dog and the most nape of the neck for a loose-skinned dog
• Tighten the side straps tightly . They must not be loose - but also not so tight that the dog's chest cannot expand normally when the dog breathes
• Shorten the back straps so that the blue ribbon starts with a proper stroke from where the dog's tail is. Check that both sides are the same length, so that the pull does not come from one side.

And then the same in video form:

I have adjusted the harness according to the instructions. How do I know if it fits correctly?

Check if the points below are fulfilled when the dog pulls in the harness.

A properly fitting Freemotion harness looks like this when pulled:

With the help of the checklist below, you can still see if the Freemotion harness fits your dog as it should.

Longitudinal back sections come off the dog's back when there is no pull in the harness. Is that normal?

Yes, it's normal. When the dog takes a good pull on the pulling harness, the back sections also straighten and the harness can sit on the dog as it should. Without traction, the harness may look "strange", especially when the harness is a bit stiff when new.

The lower edge of the neck opening of the harness does not descend from the dog's throat when there is no pull. Does it mean the neckline is too small?

No. The neck opening of a properly sized pulling harness only descends properly from the dog's throat when the dog pulls on the harness. In Freemotion harnesses, it is also important that the side straps are tightened enough for the navel. Otherwise, the pull will not be guided optimally through the side pieces to the chest piece, and the neck opening will not descend away from the dog's throat during the pull.

I watched the fitting instructions and the video, but I'm still not quite sure about the fit. What to do?

You can find even more detailed information about the fitting of the sled dog harness on our website: Guide to fitting the sled dog harness . If necessary, Traildog is also happy to help. Send us fitting photos of the dog in the harness in question, and we'll look at the fit together.

In order for us to comment on the fit of the harness based on the pictures, they must be photographed so that the harness has a proper pull. So if you send us fitting photos of the pulling harness, take the photos with an assistant so that the dog is standing sideways to the camera and the harness is on decent pull, from a natural pull angle . Take the picture on such a surface that the dog's paws do not slide on it. Often the dog stands more easily in a more natural pulling position outside.

You can send us the pictures by email info@traildog.fi , or By Whatsapp message .