Attach the clip to either location on the front of the harness and slide the handle forward and back, changing where you lift (over the shoulders or further back towards the hips) based on your dog’s needs.The Walking Handle lets you lift where you need it most and support the entire length of their body with one hand.
Disconnect the Loop Portion
Unclip the loop portion from the handle.
Attach to the Rear Harness
Feed the clip under the rear handle and then through the "O" loop. Pull to tighten.
Reattach to the Walking Handle
Reattach the clip of the loop portion to the Walking Handle.
Attach the Metal Clip
If you’re also using a leash, attach the metal clip to the front half of the harness (either the D-ring towards the front or to the O-ring towards the back)
Fitting the Walking Loop Handles
Available as a pair, the Walking Loop Handles act as a sling and can be positioned in a variety of ways:
From front to back supporting the whole body, or from side-to-side supporting the front shoulders/rear hips. Simply clip the handles to the D-ring connectors on the harness to support the areas that need it most.
Single Rear
Attach a single Loop Handle to each "D" ring on the rear harness above the hips to support while walking & squatting.
Single Front
Attach a single Loop Handle to each "D" ring beside the handle on the front harness to help ease joint pain while walking.
Side Handles
Attach a Loop Handle to a "D" ring at the shoulder and hip on each side of your dog for full-body support.
Front + Back
Attach one Loop Handle to the rear harness at your dog's hips and one to the front harness "D" rings beside the handle.
Fitting the Walking Leash/Shoulder Strap
Every dog has different support needs, depending on their age, condition, or even the day of the week. The Help ‘Em Up Walking Leash allows you to comfortably walk your dog, giving them the exact amount of support they need. Attaching it further forward supports the sternum, and further back supports potty breaks. You can even lengthen the strap and place it over your shoulder for extra leverage with bigger dogs.
Do's and Don'ts
Do: Your Homework before ordering
Weigh your pup and take its measurements. The Help ‘Em Up Harness comes in five different sizes (XS, S, M, L and XL). Determining the correct size of the Help ‘Em Up Harness based on weight and measurements will make for a good, comfortable fit.
How to Measure & Fit Your Pup
DO: Choose the correct Hip Lift
The Help ‘Em Up Harness is a full-body lifting device that comes with a front shoulder harness that connects to the rear-half (the Hip-lift). There are two different versions of the Hip-lift to choose from: The Conventional (for all female dogs and 90% of males) and the U-band Hip-lift (for male dogs whose penis is positioned farther back).
DON’T: Just put it on.
Proper fit is key. If the harness is not fitting properly, or you have chosen the wrong size, your pup may experience discomfort. The Help ‘Em Up Harness has an 11-point adjustment system that is fitted with straps and clips. The harness should fit as snug as a collar would be, but can be loosened for comfort when the dog lies down in it. Watch for early signs of hot spots and chaffing, especially for older dogs with sensitive skin. Check out the fitting diagram and watch our helpful fitting demonstration video for step-by-step instructions.
Also keep in mind that aging dogs or those recovering from surgery can be sore and sensitive – if your dog is not responding well to the harness, or does not like putting it on, don’t force it. If you think other health issues are going on, please consult your veterinarian.
DO: Choose the correct Hip Lift
The Help ‘Em Up Harness is a full-body lifting device that comes with a front shoulder harness that connects to the rear-half (the Hip-lift). There are two different versions of the Hip-lift to choose from: The Conventional (for all female dogs and 90% of males) and the U-band Hip-lift (for male dogs whose penis is positioned farther back).
How to choose correct Hip Lift
DON’T: Leave it on for excessive amounts of time
The Help ‘Em Up Harness is cushioned and can often be comfortable for up to 8-10 hours, but you should always keep close watch on areas of friction where hot spots can occur: between the legs and torso, under the belly, and the pelvic area.
Unlike slings or towels that need to be rigged with each use, the Help ‘Em Up Harness can stay on your dog during the day, but we recommend you take it off at night. Loosen straps when your dog wants to lie down to help prevent hot spots, chafing or overheating.
Do: Keep It Clean
All of our harnesses can be machine or hand washed, but we recommend air drying (dryers tend to dry out the neoprene over time). Clean regularly with mild soap. We do not recommend bleach or other harsh detergents. If urine odor is an issue, soak in white vinegar and water (1:3 ratio) and wash with mild soap. There are also commercial cleaners available that can help to cut odor. Having an extra hip-lift might be handy if you need to use your harness daily.
