Non-stop Freemotion - adjustment of dog harnesses

 

How do I know which Freemotion size to order?

We have carefully measured the Freemotion harnesses on our online store's product page to make size selection easier.

First, compare your dog's weight and size category to the approximate weight and breed examples in the chart. Once you have roughly identified the potential harness size based on these, check the neck opening size of that harness. Divide this measurement by two and take a piece of tape measure that length in your hands. The tape should be flexible; do not use a metal tape measure. Pro tip: If you don't have a fabric tape, you can use a pre-measured shoelace or a charger cable, for example.

  • Example: Your dog is a 34-kilogram standing dog. The potential size based on weight and breed seems to be size 7. According to the chart, the neck opening is 53 cm. So take a 26.5 cm piece of tape measure.

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

Place the tape measure from the very top edge of the dog's breastbone tip to the neck in front of the shoulder blades. The tape should be taut and straight so that it runs entirely in front of the dog's shoulders - just as the neck opening of pulling harnesses should stay in place even under proper pull. You can see this spot in the picture below. Is this measurement just enough? Good, then the neck opening of that size is likely very close to a proper fit.


Why don't I measure the full neck circumference? 

You get a more accurate and properly positioned measurement by measuring the dog from only one side (as in the picture below) and doubling it. Measuring the full circumference would probably give a measurement that is way too large.     

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

If you are unsure, tell us by email your dog's details, so we can help with the selection.

I have Freemotion harnesses in my hands, how do I put them on and take them off?

Opening the back Velcro significantly eases putting it on. Slip the dog's head through the harness neck opening. This is easier if you turn the harness neck opening widthwise relative to the dog's head, especially if the dog has wide ears. Then lift the front legs one by one into the leg holes. Close the back Velcro and tighten the side straps to fit (so they sit snugly against the sides but don't press). Carefully move the dog's fur and "extra skin" away from under the neck opening so the harness can settle well in place. 

The harness is a bit stiff when new, but quickly softens with use, making putting it on and taking it off easier. When removing, open the back Velcro again and, if necessary, loosen the side straps. Pull the harness a little closer to the dog's neck, and lift the front legs out of the leg holes. A softened Freemotion in use comes off most dogs without lifting the legs: just open the back Velcro and pull the harness over the head of the standing dog. This works when the dog lowers its head.

Have I adjusted the Freemotion harness correctly?

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

  • Close the transverse Velcro strap on the back
  • Move away from under the neck opening the "extras" meaning the most hair on a thick-coated dog and the most loose skin on a loose-skinned dog
  • Tighten the side straps firmly. 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 loop starts at proper pull from where the dog's tail is. Check that both sides are the same length so the pull is not one-sided.

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 is pulling in the harness.

this is how properly sized pulling harnesses fit the dog when pulling

A properly fitting Freemotion harness looks like this when pulling:

the dog is standing and wearing properly sized freemotion pulling harnesses

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

The longitudinal back sections lift off the dog's back when there is no pull in the harness. Is that normal?

Yes, that is normal. When the dog takes a proper pull in the pulling harness, the back sections also straighten and the harness settles on the dog as it should. Without pull, the harness may look "strange", especially when the harness is a bit stiff from being new.

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

No. The neck opening of a properly sized pulling harness only settles properly down from the dog's throat when the dog is pulling in the harness. In Freemotion harnesses, it is also important that the side straps are tightened firmly enough. Otherwise, the pull is not optimally directed through the side pieces to the chest piece, and the neck opening does not settle away from the dog's throat even when pulling.

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

You can find even more detailed information about fitting pulling harnesses on our page: Pulling Harness Fitting Guide. If needed, Traildog is also happy to help. Send us fitting pictures of the dog in the harness in question, and we will check the fit together.

In order for us to comment on the fit of the harness based on the pictures, they must be taken so that there is proper pull on the harness. So if you send us fitting pictures of the pulling harness, take the pictures with an assistant so that the dog stands sideways to the camera and the harness is on with proper pull, from a natural pulling angle. Take the picture on a surface where the dog's paws do not slip. Often the dog stands more easily in a natural pulling position outdoors.

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