Dog Harness FAQs

How do I clean the Ultra Paws harness?

Care of Ultra Paws harnesses is simple. Just machine wash in cold water and hang to dry.

How do I decide what size harness to purchase?

If you line up three dogs of different breeds that each weigh 60 pounds, chances are they would each need a different harness size. Your dog needs a harness that fits properly to avoid injuries. Use the harness measurement guide to determine the correct fit or submit your measurements with your order and we’ll be happy to help you.

How do I determine if the Fleece or Nylon X-Back is best for my dog?

This is really a personal preference. The fleece is a great option for many dogs because it’s soft and warm. Fleece will collect dog hair and if wet in cold weather, it will freeze and become stiff. If this happens, flex the fabric to break off any ice or frost. The nylon fabric is popular because the fabric won’t absorb water, freeze or get heavy. The nylon also doesn’t collect dog hair like the fleece. The nylon is a smooth fabric and doesn’t have the warmth feature of fleece.

What makes the X-Back Harness a great pulling harness?

The X-Back Harness has been used for centuries on sled dogs and its oval shaped neck puts the pulling pressure on the chest and shoulder area of the dog - a comfortable fit that encourages pulling.  The X-Back is the traditional harness used for running dogs - from sledding to skijoring, bikejoring, canicross, etc.

How do I put the pulling harness on my dog?

Our web site has a great photo demo of how to put on the pulling harness. Print the page and follow the instructions. It’s easy!

Besides the harness, what other equipment do I need for:

Pulling my kids on a toboggan or household sled: The Sledding Tow Line in 12’ is popular. The line has bungee cord sewn into it to help cushion the tug. Check out the Tow Lines page for details.

Skijoring: Check out the Skijor page on this Web site for more details.

In-line Skating: Check out the Skijor page on this Web site for more details.

Pulling me on my bike: The Sledding Tow Line in 12’ is popular. The line has bungee cord sewn into it to help cushion the tug. Check out the Tow Lines page for details.

The lines are hooked to the end of the harness where there is a little loop that is a different color than the harness (the tug rope). This loop is knotted together and makes me nervous. Should I be?

Great question. The tug rope is standard in the mushing world, and we’ve been using the knotted rope at the end of the harness to attach lines for over 30 years and thousands of miles on the trail. Just make sure the knot stays tight and you’ll be fine.