Right out of the box, all of our harnesses come fully assembled, meaning the front and rear sections are connected and ready to fit on your dog. Please note how it is assembled before taking it apart. It has 11 separate adjustments and 9 separate connector clips. Try it on your pup as-is first, and then make adjustments.
Swing the bottom “T” shaped support pad back between your dogs front legs.
Now lift the 2 disconnected chest straps back up to the top and reconnect.
Now that the front half is in place - on the rear half - disconnect 3 of the 4 straps - one belly band strap & the 2 trailing support straps.
Now reconnect the rear half of the harness to the front by reconnecting the fastener on the connector strap.
Center the Hip Lift portion over your dog's spine letting the end of the disconnected belly band strap drop down.
Now reach under and pull the disconnected half of the Belly Band under and up to the top and reconnect.
Now pull the two trailing straps back between your dog's hind legs and refasten them up and on either side of the tail and reconnect at the top.
Make final adjustments after seeing the harness on. It is easier to disconnect the straps to tighten them. Just unfasten - pull the strap tighter in the plastic connector and then reconnect.
To get started,
And simplify your first fitting, disconnect the front half of the harness from the rear hip lift portion. Then, disconnect the two chest straps. This leaves a front opening that you can then put over your dog’s head.
There are several places where excess strap may be tucked into neoprene sleeves. Make sure the straps are pulled out to get more length. The neo-sleeves are soft and flexible — you can scrunch them down if you need to tighten the straps.
Do's and Don'ts
Do: Ensure Proper Fit
It’s important to adjust the harness for proper fit, function and comfort. The Help ‘Em Up Harness has 11 adjustment points to fit your dog's unique shape. It 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 as it is a full-body harness and older dogs have sensitive skin. Watch our fitting demonstration video for step-by-step instructions.
Don't: Use the Rear "Hip Lift" by Itself
The front half of the dog harness can be used alone but the Hip Lift (rear half) needs the connection to the front half to stay in place, otherwise it can slip off which may cause injury.
Do: Give your dog breaks without the harness
The Help ‘Em Up Harness is cushioned and comfortable to wear and can often be worn for extended periods (8-10 hours), but you should always keep close watch on those areas of friction where hot spots can occur: between the legs and torso, under the belly and pelvic area. Unlike slings or towels that need to be set up with each use, the Help ‘Em Up Harness can stay on your dog during the day, but we do recommend you take it off at night. If your dog is lying down in the harness, loosen or unclip the straps (especially on the Hip-lift) to prevent hot spots or chaffing.
Do: Keep it Clean
The harness is machine-washable; let it air dry if possible. Clean it regularly, especially if it gets soiled. Having another Hip-lift on hand is another option some customers choose as well.
