How is the Heavy Duty disabled dog support harness different from other dog harnesses?

The Heavy Duty harness differs from other disabled dog harnesses in several ways:

There is no need to thread your dog’s head or legs through loops of strap! We designed the harness to wrap around the dog’s body and clip on around the head and forelegs. This eliminates the difficulties encountered when using many other types of dog support harnesses. If you have an arthritic dog or if your dog has had surgery, you might not want to bend him around too much to put a harness on; the AST Support Suit™ solves that problem.

The suit’s wrap-around design and adjustable Bridge Strap™ allow the support harness to fit properly and stay centered on any dog in the suit’s size range. It also insures that the lift you provide is centered under your dog.

The dog support harness lifts the entire dog from underneath. The X-Belly™ straps cross under the body connecting the front and rear support straps, thus creating a sling effect that lifts the whole dog at once.

The Support Suit ™is unique in the way that it incorporates a network of heavy-duty support straps and a layer of padding into the body of the suit. The Suit’s padded belly, broad straps and abdominal cut-out keep it from uncomfortably binding or constricting a dog’s abdominal area.

Dogs come in a lot of different shapes. How can I be sure an support harness will fit my dog?

We have put a lot thought into accurately sizing dogs and tailoring lift garments that fit and function well. Because overall size and the degree of body taper vary greatly among different dog breeds, we have created a range of sizes to fit almost every type of dog, from Shih Tzu to St. Bernard, and beyond. You need only make three simple measurements, which will allow us to determine your dog’s size and construct a harness to match. And— there are No Confusing Size Charts!

Will the support harness interfere with my dog’s collar?

No, the harness can be worn with your dog’s regular collar in place. Since the Harness doesn’t have to slide over the head and neck, you can even leave your dog’s collar on while you put the harness on. The Bridge Strap™ is a convenient place to grab the dog, instead of the collar, and you can clip a leash to any of the four suspension rings, so you may even decide the collar is un-needed “old technology”.

Does my dog need full strength in its legs for the harness to work?

No. The harness works for dogs with legs that don’t.  It was originally created for a dog named Bernard that has no ability to walk on his own. Despite his legs being of limited use, the Harness allows his owners to help lift him up and down stairs and guide him around the yard.

How long can my dog wear the support harness?

Some owners find it easier to leave the suit on all day for those dogs that need help getting up regularly. At night, they sleep without the suit on. Bernard continues to wear his suit almost all day, every day. Both he and the suit are holding up fine.

Is the harness washable?

Yes. We recommend hand washing the harness in warm water with mild soap. You can also wash it in cold water in your washing machine with mild soap. Be sure to assemble the suit with buckles and Velcro® before machine washing. Do not put the suit in the dryer. Lay it flat or hang for drying.

Will the harness still fit well if my dog loses or gains weight?

Each Suit size is designed to fit a range of body sizes, so the fit of your dog’s suit should only be affected if its weight change is very extreme.

My dog should only need the support harness for a few weeks after surgery. What can I do with the harness after my dog’s recovery is complete?

Following your dog’s rehabilitation, the harness can be donated to an animal aid agency in your area. You may discover, however, that the harness is not only a post-surgery dog support sling, but also can be useful for helping a healthy dog into car or truck, or helping your dog over obstacles or uneven terrain while hiking. It also provides better control over a dog than a collar, and can be a useful training harness. As your dog grows older you may even find that the harness is a great way to help your aging dog get up and around.