The Psychology of Proper Fit: How Gear Affects Your Dog's Confidence
- Rachel
- Nov 10
- 6 min read
Think about the last time you wore shoes that didn't fit right. Maybe they were too tight, pinching your toes with every step. Or too loose, making you constantly adjust your stride to keep them from slipping off. How did you feel? Stressed? Anxious? Self-conscious about how you looked and moved?
I know for me, when my clothes don't fit properly, I can't think about anything else. I'm worried they'll slip off if they're too big, or I can't move freely if they're too tight. I feel uncomfortable and hyper-aware of what I'm wearing – there's no way I can feel confident like that.
Now imagine your dog wearing gear that doesn't fit. They can't tell you it's uncomfortable. They can't adjust it themselves. All they can do is show you through their behavior – and that's exactly what they do.
When Niska Taught Me About Fit
When I first started making dog gear, I was like many dog owners – I thought "small" or "medium" was good enough. But Niska showed me otherwise.
She would move her head away every time I tried to put her harness on. It was an over-the-head design, and she clearly didn't like it. I thought she was just being difficult. Then I noticed something alarming: she was developing a bald spot on her chest where the harness rubbed against her fur.
The one-size-fits-all approach wasn't just annoying her – it was physically harming her and changing her behavior.
I've also tried putting Niska in sweaters or t-shirts that weren't the right size, and her reactions were immediate and clear. She would pull and resist. Once, she got her leg stuck in the wrong opening and couldn't jump properly – she tried to jump off the couch but fell instead. It was dangerous. She would stop and scratch constantly, and she'd whine to let me know something was wrong.
My sister experienced this too when her dog's collar was too loose. During a walk, her dog pulled the wrong way and the collar slipped right off. Suddenly she was dealing with a dog on the run – a stressful and potentially dangerous situation that could have been avoided with properly fitted gear.
The Psychology: Physical State = Emotional State
Here's what research has taught us: your dog's physical comfort and emotional state aren't separate systems. They're deeply interconnected.
You know what I found when I searched this? That 30-80% of dogs referred to veterinarians for behavioral problems actually have underlying physical discomfort or pain contributing to those behaviors. Physical tension doesn't just feel uncomfortable – it actively increases arousal and anxiety, making it harder for dogs to regulate their emotions and control their impulses.
Think about it this way: when Niska wore a harness that pinched or restricted her movement, she wasn't just physically uncomfortable. Her body was in a mild stress state. And when your dog is physically stressed, their "thinking brain" – the part that helps them listen to you, learn new commands, and make good choices – has less power.
Physical discomfort triggers the stress response. The stress response increases arousal. Increased arousal makes focus and impulse control exponentially harder. It's a chain reaction that starts with something as simple as gear that doesn't fit right.
The Connection to Communication
I've written before about how your leash is a line of communication between you and your dog. But here's what I've learned since: the quality of that communication depends entirely on your dog's physical state.
When Niska was uncomfortable in her gear, she couldn't communicate clearly with me through the leash. All I was receiving was tension, pulling, and stress signals. It wasn't that she didn't want to listen – she was literally in a state that made clear communication nearly impossible.
When I switched her to properly fitted gear, everything changed. The leash became an actual conversation again. She could hear me. I could feel her responses. We were finally on the same wavelength because she was physically comfortable enough to focus on our connection rather than her discomfort.
The Science of Pressure Points
Here's something fascinating: dogs have specific pressure points throughout their bodies, including one in the center of their chest, just above the breastbone. In Traditional Chinese Medicine and canine acupressure, this area is known to run down the center of the chest and is associated with calming, centeredness, and emotional regulation.
When gentle, consistent pressure is applied to these points, it can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm and security. This is why many dogs instinctively love having their chests rubbed – you're naturally stimulating these calming pressure points.
Our harnesses are designed with this in mind. The crossbody design places gentle, distributed pressure across the chest area, which can have a naturally calming effect. It's not restrictive pressure that increases stress – it's supportive pressure that can help your dog feel more secure and grounded, similar to how a thunder shirt works during storms or fireworks.
This is one of the reasons I designed the crossbody harness with a button attachment system. Not only does it avoid the over-the-head struggle that Niska (and many dogs) dislike, but it allows for proper placement across these beneficial pressure points without causing restriction or discomfort.
What Proper Fit Actually Means
Proper fit isn't just about measurements – though those are definitely important. It's about:
Adjustability for Your Individual Dog Have you ever had a dog that was between sizes? Or one that gains or loses weight seasonally? Standard sizing leaves you guessing. Custom-fit gear adjusts to your dog's actual body, and as they change, the gear can adapt with them.
Materials That Move With Them We use 100% cotton because it's soft against your dog's skin and becomes even more comfortable with use. It moves with your dog's body rather than restricting it. But we also reinforce it with nylon in key stress points, so you get the comfort of handmade with the confidence of a strong, well-built product that won't stretch or fail when your dog pulls.
Design That Supports Natural Movement A harness should distribute pressure evenly across the chest and shoulders, never restricting the shoulder joint or creating pressure points that cause pain. When gear fits properly, your dog can move naturally – which means they can walk, run, and play without physical interference translating into behavioral problems.
No Constant Adjustments If you're adjusting your dog's gear every single walk, it doesn't fit. Period. Properly fitted gear stays in place because it's designed for your dog's specific body, not for a theoretical "average" dog that doesn't actually exist.
The Behavior Changes I've Seen
When dogs switch from poorly fitting to properly fitted gear, the changes can be dramatic:
Reduced pulling – because they're not trying to escape discomfort
Better focus – because they're not distracted by physical irritation
More confidence – because they can move freely and naturally
Improved trainability – because their thinking brain isn't competing with stress signals
Calmer pre-walk behavior – because the gear itself isn't a source of anxiety
These aren't just anecdotal observations. Research on pain and behavior in dogs consistently shows that addressing physical discomfort leads to significant improvements in behavior. When we remove the physical stressor, we remove the behavioral consequence.
It's Not Just About Comfort – It's About Your Relationship
When your dog is physically comfortable, they can actually be present with you. They can learn. They can listen. They can enjoy the walk instead of enduring it.
The gear you choose isn't just functional – it's relational. It either supports your connection with your dog or creates interference in it. It either helps them feel confident and secure, or it adds another layer of stress to their day.
This is why at Exuberant Paws, we're obsessed with custom fit. Not because we're perfectionists (though we are), but because we've seen firsthand how transformative proper fit can be for both dogs and their people.
Your dog deserves gear that supports them physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. They deserve to feel as confident and comfortable on their walks as you want to feel in your own clothes.
Because at the end of the day, proper fit isn't just about the gear. It's about giving your dog the foundation they need to be their best, happiest selves.
Ready to experience the difference proper fit makes? Explore our custom-fit harnesses and collars, designed with your dog's psychology and comfort in mind. Shop the Collection]
Questions about fit or finding the right gear for your pup? I'd love to help – just reach out through our contact page or reply to this email if you're a subscriber.
Rachel is the founder of Exuberant Paws and a dog psychology enthusiast. She lives with Niska, a Patterdale Terrier who has taught her everything about the importance of proper fit – sometimes the hard way.
References:
Mills, D.S., Demontigny-Bédard, I., Gruen, M., Klinck, M.P., McPeake, K.J., Barcelos, A.M., Hewison, L., Van Haevermaet, H., Denenberg, S., Hauser, H., Koch, C., Ballantyne, K., Wilson, C., Mathkari, C.V., Pounder, J., Garcia, E., Darder, P., Fatjó, J., & Levine, E. (2020). Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs. Animals, 10(2), 318.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Veterinary Acupressure. (2025). Conception Vessel and chest pressure points in dogs. Animal Medical New City. https://animalmedicalnc.com/project/acupressure-for-pets/
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