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My dog is scared to enter new home. Is dragging by harness safe?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 1 year old | 55 lbs

we just moved and he's afraid to come inside! so we have a harness, and the only way we can get him to come inside is lifting up the handle on the back of it a little and dragging him, slowly, inside.i HATE this but no other method we'd tried has worked. i'm terrified of hurting him somehow by having to drag him in every time. As far as I can tell it's not pressing on his neck at all. What kind of damage can doing this do? what do I need to watch out for! I just want to keep my fur baby safe :(

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Emily Fukuzato, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 14th, 2017

Hi there. I am sorry Spock is having a bit of a rough start to his new surroundings. Things will surely get better over a short period of time, but for now, you are doing a great job with the harness. A harness is meant to disburse weight around the girth of the dog rather than his neck. In general, your method should not at all be hurting Spock. It is just he is resistant to your requests at this time. You are doing the safest thing possible for the circumstances. I would also recommend some positive reinforcement. Ideas include a treat bag with very small treats that you can reward him as he comes closer to you and/or the door that you want him to go thru. And then when he comes inside reward him with more treats and tons of love, excitement, and affection. This will hopefully motivate him fairly quickly to figure out if he does the behavior you are asking, he will get rewarded for it! Great job so far in keeping him safe.

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