Introduction: How to Make a Step in Dog Harness (using Nylon Webbing Material)
TOOLS:
-Scissors
-Measuring tape
-Needle & thread or a sewing machine (harness needs to withstand your dog's play time and running movements)
-Lighter (adult supervision required)
MATERIALS:
-Roughly 8 feet of nylon webbing about an inch in width (dependant on your dog's size you can use less length and 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch webbing when applicable)
-2 metal D rings (match in width to webbing)
-2 metal O rings (match in width to webbing)
-2 metal tri-glide sliders (match in width to webbing)
-any decoractive ribbon or flare you'd like to add; completely optional
Step 1: Measure and Create Chest/Tummy Bands
Place the webbing over the back of your dog's neck and loop towards the center of his chest (where the red arrow in the picture is pointing). Mark the spot on the nylon webbing where each side would cross.
Make your cut from the end 8 inches further than the spot you just marked.
*Adult Supervision* Use the lighter to melt the frayed ends away.
Reposition the webbing on your dog and cross the two ends over each other right above the dog's chest. You should have an extra 4 inches of webbing material past the intersecting point.
**Use the same technique to measure the "tummy band" section of the custom harness that will go behind your dog's front legs (blue arrow)
Step 2: Connect the Front and Hind Bands
Measure out the distance down your dog's chest (outer edge of chest band to outer edge of tummy band) that will be snug on the dog but roomy enough to be stepped into and worn comfortably when both bands are attached.
Cut four times extra the width of your woven webbing; i.e. an extra 4 inches for a 1 inch band so if you measured out 5 inches, cut out 9 inches in total.
Wrap the connection band loosely around tummy band on one side and the chest band on the other side. Sew down about an inch of cloth on the overlapping part of the connection band. Use an X-hatch sewing pattern to ensure durability.
The chest and tummy bands should be able to move freely within the connection band.
*Adult supervision* Use a lighter to melt the frayed ends closed.
Step 3: Add on Adjustable Sliders and O-rings
Loop one end of the chest band through a tri-glide slider, sew closed with an X-hatch pattern, and melt frayed edges.
Duplicate on the same side for the tummy band.
Loop the open end of one of the chest band through an O-ring and through the tri-glide slide so the open end is on the opposite side of the closed stitching (refer to red arrows in picture) Duplicate on the same side for the tummy band using the SAME O-ring. (Be weary not to twist the band so everything stays aligned)
**Make sure your chest and tummy band is passing through the connection band**
Place the open end of the chest band through the other O-ring and sew shut; Loop the open end of the tummy band through this SAME O-ring, sew shut, and you should now start to see your harness almost complete!
Step 4: Buckle and D-rings
Cut 2 strips of extra webbing about 5 inches long; this will be used for the D-Ring leash-on spot and buckle placement.
Loop one of the strips thorugh an O-ring where the tummy and chest bend meet and sew shut with an X-hatch pattern.
Slide 1 piece of the buckle through the open end making sure the bottom of the buckle is facing in towards the connection band.
Loop the same open end of the strip through the D-ring; sew the loop shut keeping the D-ring separate from the buckle. (The buckle piece should still be able to move a bit but not much)
Repeat on the other O-ring connection paying clsoe attention to how you place the buckle. They need to connect so your canine friend can be strapped in securely!
Step 5: Final Adjustments
Your harness is almost perfect....lay it on the ground with the conenction band equidistant to the band ends creating two holes for your dog's front paws to step into; simple pull up and connect the buckle; tighten the straps til snug but not too tight.
Place the 2 D-rings together to create an anchor point where you can sturdily attach your leash. (Refer to picture)
GO FOR A WALK WITH YOUR CANINE COMPANION!!
