If your dog has been chewing on his harness, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my dog chew on his harness? Likely reasons why your dog chews on his harness are that he is teething, he simply likes the feeling or taste or that your dog does not like the harness.
There are a number of possible causes and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my dog chew his harness?
Below are likely reasons why your dog chews his harness and what would make each of them more likely.
Teething
The cause could be that your dog is teething and chewing on the harness in order to soothe its gums. This would be more likely if your dog is a puppy still and if they have also been chewing on other things as well. In this case, it would likely help to give your puppy other things to chew on.
Your dog simply likes the feeling
It could also be the case that your dog simply likes the taste or feeling of chewing on the harness. This would be more likely if your dog has been chewing on the harness specifically and not other things as well. In this case, it might help to wash the harness as to remove some of the taste or to try to give your dog other things to chew on for a while before putting the harness on.
Your dog does not like the harness
It could also be the case that your dog does not like the harness. This would be more likely if your dog has been trying to remove the harness as well. The issue could be that the harness is not comfortable, it is too tight or that your dog simply does not like being in it. In this case, it would help to ensure that the harness is fitted properly.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your dog has always chewed the harness
If your dog has not always chewed on the harness, it would help to consider what else happened when your dog first started doing it. If your dog has started doing it suddenly, it could be due to fitting the harness differently, teething, a new harness, or because your dog has started not wanting to be in the harness.
The timing of when your dog chews the harness
If there is a certain time that your dog chews on the harness, it would help to consider what else is different when your dog does it. If your dog does it specifically when you are putting the harness on, it might be because your dog does not like wearing it but it could also still be the case that your dog simply likes the taste or feeling of chewing it.
How to stop my dog from chewing his harness?
Below are some things you can do to get your dog to stop chewing on the harness.
Positive reinforcement training
Positive reinforcement training involves encouraging your dog to behave the way you want it to by rewarding it when the behaves that way and not rewarding it when it does not. To use it to get your dog to stop chewing the harness, it would help to give your dog rewards when it does not chew the harness and to stop rewarding it as soon as it starts chewing the harness.
Ensure you are putting the harness on correctly
It would also help to ensure that you have been putting the harness on correctly and that the harness is not too tight.
Get your dog used to wearing the harness
If your dog has not been using the harness for long, it might actually also help to get your dog used to wearing the harness by getting your dog to wear it around the house.
Give your dog other things to chew on
If your dog is a puppy, it would also help to give your dog other things to chew on. Things that you could give it could include toys, dog chews or bones.
Get a tougher harness
There are “chew proof” dog harnesses that you can buy. If you cannot get your dog to stop chewing the harness, it could help to get one that can withstand being chewed on.