How to Make a Weight Pull Harness

Dogs can enjoy hobbies just as much as their human companions. One canine hobby growing in popularity is weight pulling. During competition, dogs are outfitted with a harness that hooks to a weight-bearing sled. The dog's job is to pull the weight down a set track to the best of their ability. However, to do so, it is important that dogs have a well-fitted, comfortable harness to wear while competing. Fortunately, with a few materials and some basic sewing skills, owners can craft a custom weight pull harness for their dog that proves both comfortable and useful for pulling.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 to 6 yards 1" webbing
  • Sewing kit
  • 1/2 yard fleece
  • 18" braided nylon rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fold the entire length of webbing into a "v" shape at the mid-length point. Sew a sturdy stitch 1/2" above the fold and slide the length of nylon braided rope through the resulting opening. Tie off the rope to create a hitching point for the weight sled.

    • 2

      Situate your dog in a comfortable location, standing up. You may want to have a partner help hold your dog still if he becomes restless while being fitted for the harness.

    • 3

      Place the end of the webbing with the rope attached at the base of the dog's tail. Lay the two pieces of webbing extending out of the "v" shaped fold over the dog's hind quarter flanks and down the rib cage, towards the dog's front legs on both sides.

    • 4

      Route the webbing underneath of the dog's front legs and secure the two pieces of webbing from either side together along the dog's chest. Use safety pins or clothes pins to hold the webbing temporarily in place.

    • 5

      Split the two pieces of webbing below the dog's neck and wrap each piece snugly around either side of the dog's neck. Cross the two pieces of webbing above the dog's shoulder blades, just behind the neck, in an "x" pattern and route the remaining lengths of webbing back down to the webbing already extended along the dog's flanks. Secure the intersections with safety pins.

    • 6

      Measure and cut a piece of webbing to extend across the dog's rump, approximately 6" from the "v" fold at the top of the dog's tail. This piece will help prevent the harness from riding up during pulling. Temporarily secure the webbing in place with safety pins or clothes pins.

    • 7

      Carefully slide the harness off the dog and sew the pinned intersections to secure the webbing in place. Wrap and sew a piece of fleece around the intersection of webbing that will extend up the dog's chest in order to prevent the webbing from digging into the dog while weight is attached to the harness.

    • 8

      Slide the harness back on the dog once the webbing has been sewn together to check for fit. Adjust the harness, if needed, to provide a comfortable fit for the dog.