All You Need to Know About Service Dog Vests

Service dogs: little helpers that make the lives of people with disabilities so much easier thanks to the special skills they were taught to do since they were puppies. And even though service dog handlers can understand the tasks and reasons why their pets are allowed everywhere, for ordinary citizens, it may not be as easy to understand why these dogs are in the pet-free restaurant sitting under the table right now.

That’s why, to demonstrate an animal’s special status, service dog owners prefer using special accessories to notify everyone that the dog is currently working and shouldn’t be disturbed in any way. The most popular item almost everyone buys is a service dog vest. What sorts of things do you need to know about them, and is it possible to buy service dog vests online? Let’s find it out together in the article…

The Main Purpose of Service Vests for Dogs

A lot of new service dog owners underestimate the power of service dog accessories, such as vests, special collars, or even service dog ID tags. Below we are going to mention a few reasons why you should consider these things in the first place:

Recognition. Unique service dog supplies are usually bright-colored so that they can catch the eye of practically everyone around you. In this way, people are alerted that a person with a service animal just entered the room, so they are less likely to disturb you and your dog, as well as have fewer questions about why the animal is allowed to be in the public place (if it’s a cafe, cinema, or any other usually pet-free establishment).

Safety. Walking with a service dog in public can be stressful for an animal because of all the unwanted attention from strangers. So a service dog harness may be an excellent way to inform people around you about the animal’s duties and the fact that it shouldn’t be petted, talked to, or bothered in any other way.

Discipline. You shouldn’t forget that a service dog is also a pet, so a vest can create an association with work for them. So when the item is on, the dog will be serious, concentrated, and on alert; and after the harness is off, he or she can be an active and happy puppy, free to run around and play with other dogs.

How to Choose the Right Vest Size for My Dog?

The best thing about this product is that plenty of types of service dog vests are available on the market, so it’s not hard to pick the best option for your four-legged friend. Usually they vary in size, color, form, and design; it’s possible to select an option with or without writing (for instance, it can say “service animal” on its back), add embroidery on it, etc. One’s imagination is the only limit!

The most important thing to consider when choosing a harness is to pick the right size, as a dog will spend the majority of its time wearing the item. There are a few ways you can do it:

Measure the girth of the animal. If it’s too tight around its neck, it may lead to trouble breathing or swallowing, and you definitely don’t want that for your pet. Regarding collars, two fingers should fit between the dog’s neck and the product to not cause any discomfort.

Take the measurements around the middle. This measurement is needed to know which service dog vests (small, medium, or large) will work best for your pet. Sometimes you may also be asked about the animal’s weight.

Measure the dog’s height. Usually this is done from the paws to the tip of the head. Not all companies ask for it, but sometimes it is better to have all the numbers written down to pick the option that suits best.

It’s okay if you are not sure how to do this on your own; we believe a good shop will surely help you with everything to pick the best vest variation for your furry friend.

To Sum Up: Are Service Dog Vests Important?

Among all service dog accessories, vests are among the most popular and helpful out there. They are useful for numerous reasons: alerting people about an individual with a disability is the main one. These products are available in different sizes and colors, so it’s quite easy to pick the design to your liking. And of course, the most important thing is for a harness to be comfortable for the dog, as it’s going to spend most of the time wearing it. Hopefully this article has helped you understand more about this essential accessory!

You can find more information about useful service dog accessories on the MyServiceAnimal blog article here.

Written By Daniel Butler