Getting your dog use to a harness

Hi Everyone,

So recently I have invested in a harness for our 6 month old staffy x for both the car and walking. She has always been a little funny about clipping the lead on when we're off walking... I thought her lashing out (jumping, mouthing and biting at the lead, barking, flipping on her back etc) was more from excitement than anything else however she disliked my trying to put the harness on her intensely! I backed off and will try again later as her intensity levels were through the roof and she seemed quite stressed by it. She was trying to bite at the harness, not me which I guess is better than the latter. I wasn't trying to put it over her head, the harness has two buckles which you can open and close around her neck/body.

Any thoughts on helping her to like the harness?

Suki was the same. We just kept on introduching the harness and using positive reinforcement

Just keep calm yourself a little bit at a time ie. Get her to stand over it -fuss and treat

Sit on the floor next to her to do it so you aren't leaning over her and if there is someone spare in the house they could be in front with a toy and the treats offering a bit of distraction 

I'd try it just after a walk when she is a bit calmer and just let her walk around the house in it for a few min at first, do it a few times a day then and again just keep rewarding her behaviour

Yes little and often even around the house, distract with a treat or toy and slowly she will get used to it