Understanding Your Harness's Three Attachment Points
The Nohona Signature Guide Harness was designed by professional behaviourists with one goal in mind: to support calm, confident, and enjoyable walks. A key part of that design is the three purpose-built lead attachment points - each serving a distinct role depending on where your dog is in their training journey.
Choosing the right clip isn't complicated once you understand what each attachment is designed to do. Here's a practical breakdown.
Front Training Attachment - Encourage Focus & Reduce Pulling
The front clip sits on your dog's chest and is the go-to choice during active training sessions or for dogs who are still learning to walk on a loose lead.
How it helps: When your dog moves ahead and applies pressure, the front attachment gently redirects their body back toward you. This natural consequence encourages your dog to check in and re-engage - supporting reward-based training in a gentle, effective way. When you purchase a harness you can get in touch with our team for help using your harness and receive personal guidance!
Best for:
- Dogs learning loose-lead walking
- Active training sessions where you want to reinforce focus
- Dogs who tend to pull or lunge
Tips for use: Pair the front clip with high-value rewards and short, positive training sessions. The clip supports your technique - it works best alongside consistent, reward-based methods. Our team can help you learn.
Mid-Back Attachment - Balanced Guidance for Everyday Walks
The mid-back attachment sits over the centre of your dog's body, providing balanced guidance for more structured walks and everyday adventures.
How it helps: This position distributes lead pressure evenly across the harness, offering comfortable control without interfering with your dog's natural movement. It's a versatile choice for dogs making progress with their training.
Best for:
- Structured walks where your dog has some loose-lead skills
- Ongoing training between dedicated sessions
- Coastal walks, café outings, and everyday adventures
Tips for use: A great middle-ground option as your dog's walking manners improve. You can alternate between front and mid-back clips as needed throughout a walk.
Upper-Back Attachment - Comfortable, Familiar Walking Position
The upper-back clip offers a familiar walking experience - similar to a standard back-clip harness - while avoiding unnecessary pressure high on the neck that a collar attachment can create.
How it helps: This attachment allows comfortable guidance while supporting your dog's natural movement. It's ideal for dogs who have already developed good loose-lead manners and simply need the security and comfort of the harness.
Best for:
- Dogs with established loose-lead skills
- Comfortable, relaxed outings where less intervention is needed
- Dogs who respond well to a familiar back-clip position
Tips for use: If you notice pulling re-emerging, simply switch back to the front or mid-back clip to reinforce good habits.
Quick Reference: Which Clip to Use?
| Situation | Recommended Clip |
|---|---|
| Active training session / dog pulls | Front Training Attachment |
| Structured walk, ongoing training | Mid-Back Attachment |
| Relaxed walk, good loose-lead manners | Upper-Back Attachment |
⚠️ A Note on Safe, Effective Training
The Nohona Guide Harness is a premium training support tool - and that word "support" matters. No harness replaces a consistent, reward-based training programme. The clips are designed to complement your training efforts, not substitute for them.
If your dog is showing signs of fear, reactivity, or significant behavioural challenges, we always recommend working with a qualified, positive-method based behaviourist alongside using the harness.
The harness also includes a step-by-step fitting guide, an instructional video demonstrating correct usage of each attachment point, and access to ongoing professional support - so you're never on your own.
Ready to Walk?
The Nohona Signature Guide Harness is available in multiple sizes and colours to suit your dog's fit and your lifestyle. Designed by professional behaviourists and built for the salt, sand and surf lifestyle - it's more than a harness, it's a walk worth having.