How Dog Harness Should Fit

Choosing the right harness for your dog isn't just about style—it's about comfort, control, and safety.  At Up Dog Shop, we also care about the convenience factor! However, during our design phase, we did a lot of research on how dog harness should fit and that helped us to design around it. Our goal is to design a well-fitting harness helps prevent injuries, reduces pulling, and makes walks more enjoyable for both you and your pup! But how exactly should a dog harness fit? And what should you look for in a high-quality harness?

Here's what we think:

1. Why Fit is So Important

A harness that's too tight can cause chafing, restrict movement, and even affect your dog’s breathing. If your dog likes to pull, this could further negatively impact your dog’s breathing. Too loose? This is our worst fear…the pup might slip out mid-walk (hello, heart attack). The perfect fit should be snug but not restrictive—with enough room for your dog to move freely and comfortably.

2. Key Fit Zones: Neck and Chest

There are two major areas where a harness should be adjustable: around the neck and around the chest or waist (the area just behind the front legs, the widest part of the rib cage). A good harness allows you to adjust the fit in both spots for your dog’s unique body shape.

These areas are especially important because they’re where the most stress is placed if your dog pulls on the leash. If the harness doesn’t fit properly in the neck or chest, the pressure can concentrate in the wrong places—causing discomfort, chafing, or even long-term injury. A well-fitted harness helps distribute that force evenly across the body, reducing strain on the neck and spine, and giving you better control. Further, we use soft padding in these areas to further distribute the stress on the dog’s body.

At the end, once you have the ideal fit in the 2 key fit zones: Neck & Chest, make sure you can fit 2 fingers in between the harness and your dog’s body all around. This is our best indication that this is the right fit.

3. The Up Dog Magnetic Dog Harness: Designed for the Perfect Fit

Our Up Dog Magnetic Dog Harness is designed with adjustability at its core. Whether your dog is lanky, stocky, or somewhere in between, our harness can be fine-tuned in two key areas:

• Neck Area – Easily adjust the fit around your dog’s neck to prevent pressure or gapping.
• Waist/Chest Area – Get a secure yet comfortable fit around your dog’s chest for better control and mobility.

This dual-adjustment system helps eliminate the guesswork and ensures a secure, customized fit that stays put.

Furthermore, we added an extra layer of soft padding in the harness to reduce the stress on the dog’s body. Some dog harness are made out of nylon straps, I tried pulling my body with the nylon harness vs the Up Dog magnetic harness with soft padding, the difference is night and day. I can only imagine the dog would feel the same differences.

4. Easy On, Easy Off

Aside from adjustability, the Up Dog Magnetic Harness also features magnetic buckle system, making it insanely easy to take on and off—no more buckling and unbuckling your dog into a harness.

5. Tips for Getting the Right Fit

• You should be able to fit two fingers between the harness and your dog’s body at any point.
• Watch for signs of discomfort—if your dog is scratching, slowing down, or trying to wriggle out, it might be time to adjust. One more tip, I also like to pay attention to my dog’s breathing, ensure there isn’t any indication of restricted airway.
• Make adjustments while your dog is standing for the most accurate fit.

Ready for the Perfect Fit?

If you're looking for a harness that combines comfort, function, and style, the Up Dog Magnetic Harness checks all the boxes. With adjustable neck and waist straps, it's built to fit your dog just right—every time. I use mine everyday :), I can’t imagine using any other harness.