How to Build a Wheel Harness for Dogs

In dog sledding, the wheel dog is positioned closest to the sled. This can be a single dog or a pair. Because the wheel dog's harness attaches to the sled, the pull is different from what it is for the dogs in the lead, swing or point positions. The wheel dog needs a slightly different harness so it doesn't press down on the animal's rump. According to the website Sled Dog Central, relieving pressure on the wheel dog's back will make it run straighter. The best way to fit the dog harness is to use a tape measure and sample lengths of fabric to test-fit the harness and make a sort of pattern before beginning to work with webbing.

Things You'll Need

  • Fabric tape measure
  • Nylon webbing, about 4 yards
  • Sewing machine with heavy-duty needle
  • Heavy-duty thread in same color as webbing
  • Metal O-ring, 2-inch diameter
  • Lamb's wool (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure from your dog's breast under its foreleg then straight back to about 8 inches behind its tail, using the fabric tape measure. This length will be your main harness strap on each side. Cut two pieces of the nylon webbing to this length. Then cut a short, 4-inch strap.

    • 2

      Sew the ends of the long pieces to the ends of the short pieces, using the heavy-duty needle. Place the long pieces perpendicular to the short piece and sew an X-box seam at the joints. All of the joints should be sewn by overlapping an inch of webbing and sewing a square around the edges of the webbing then sewing diagonally across that square, forming the X-box seam.

    • 3

      Measure from the breast strap across your dog's back to the opposite hip, making sure you come down at least 2 inches from the rump. Add 2 inches and cut two strips of webbing this length; they will form the X-strapping across the dog's back.

    • 4

      Sew one end of the piece you just cut perpendicular to the breast strap, on the opposite side that you sewed the other pieces. This will put the breast strap in the middle of two long pieces.

    • 5

      Place the harness on the dog with the breast strap in place. Cross the back straps across the dog's back so they will attach to the long side straps at the front edge of the dog's hip, about the height of its belly. Pin the back strap joint where the back straps cross. Pin the ends of the back straps to the side straps. The side strap pins should wind up about a foot from the ends.

    • 6

      Sew the joint on the back straps along the edges of where the webbing crosses and diagonally across that box. Sew the side joints by placing the ends of the back strap on top of the side straps, away from the dog's skin. Sew an X-box seam to secure the joints.

    • 7

      Fold the end of one of the side straps over the O-ring, looping one inch back over the webbing, and sew an X-box to secure the end of the webbing. Do the same with the other side. The O-ring will be used to attach the harness to the sled.

    • 8

      Wrap the pieces of the harness that go under the forelegs in lamb's wool if your dog will be pulling a sled long distances or is prone to chafing. Stitch the fabric to the webbing to hold it in place.