Whether you have a new puppy who you’re training to walk on a leash or an older dog who has some difficulty going on walks, it’s a good idea to consider training your dog to walk with a harness. It can be tough for canine beginners who aren’t so used to wearing a harness to acclimate to the sensation—but it can be a really valuable addition to your training!

When you walk your dog with a harness, the pull of the leash is distributed evenly across the dog’s chest, rather than focalized solely around the neck, as with a collar. This can make any dog more comfortable, but especially dogs that tend to pull on the leash. If you can teach your dog to enjoy walking with a harness, it can be easier for your pup to learn some easy dog tricks for beginners, as they will already be used to, and excited by, the training. Here are four simple steps to help you to harness train your dog.

Let your dog get used to the harness

Don’t start right away by trying to get your dog to put on the harness. Such a drastic introduction of something so new is likely to cause your pup some easily avoidable anxiety. Before you attempt to put your dog into a harness, allow your dog to familiarize themselves with the harness by leaving it hanging in your home, in a place your dog frequents. Put the harness on the floor, and allow your pooch to sniff and investigate it for a while. 

Once they seem comfortable having the harness in their space, it’s time to start training your dog to have positive associations with their harness. Place the harness on the floor again, and put one of your dog’s favorite treats on top of it. When your puppy eats a treat off of the harness, this acts as positive reinforcement, showing your dog that when the harness is present, they get to have or do things they enjoy. 

After doing this until your dog seems comfortable, start getting your dog used to feeling the harness. When your pup is feeling happy and energetic, gently tap the harness against the different parts of their body that it will be in contact with, such as the chest, sides, and back. While you do this, maintain a positive, easy attitude, give a lot of verbal praise, and give your dog treats regularly. Use the same positive, upbeat attitude you would maintain when training your dog to bark on command,