Your puppy's first walks
The right gear for your puppy
Collar, harness and leash should feel delicate on a small body and be adjustable as your puppy grows. Here we help you choose safe, comfortable basic gear from day one.
Petit is designed for puppies and small dogs that need low weight, narrower straps and a flexible adjustment range.
The gear shouldn't feel clumsy on your puppy's body.
Your puppy should neither be squeezed nor able to back out of the gear.
A useful adjustment range follows your puppy's development.
Short, positive moments make the gear feel less unfamiliar.
Before the first walk
Your puppy needs gear in the right proportions
When your puppy comes home, you need a collar, harness and leash that fit the small body from the start. Gear meant for an adult dog can be unnecessarily wide, heavy or hard to adjust.
Puppies grow fast, but that doesn't mean you should buy gear that's too big. A harness that's too loose can slip, rub and make it easier for your puppy to get out of it. Instead, choose a model that fits correctly now and has enough adjustment for the growth of the coming weeks.
Check the fit often during your puppy's first months. A size that worked a few weeks ago may quickly need adjusting.
What should you look for?
Six qualities of good puppy gear
The best gear isn't the one your puppy can grow into the longest. It's the one that sits securely, feels comfortable and works in your everyday life right now.
Delicate and light
Narrower straps and light hardware make the gear feel more proportionate on a small puppy.
Stays on the body
The collar and harness should sit securely without restricting movement, pinching or causing friction.
Can be adjusted step by step
A flexible size range makes it easier to fine-tune the gear as your puppy's body changes.
Soft against the body
Choose a material that feels soft and supple while standing up to your puppy's everyday life and repeated use.
Easy to use
A quick-release buckle makes putting it on easier when your puppy isn't yet used to standing still.
A fit that's followed up
Check the size every week during periods of rapid growth and adjust before the gear gets too tight.
For puppies with small measurements
Petit for puppies that fit the range's sizes
Petit is Don Lorino's most delicate range and is designed for puppies and small dogs. The combination of low weight, narrower proportions and flexible adjustment makes the range relevant for puppies whose measurements fall within the specific model. Petit doesn't automatically suit every puppy.
If the measurements fall outside the range, compare a different size or range. Use the harness size finder and read about the difference between Click and Petit before you choose.
- Delicate design adapted for puppies and small dogs.
- Light hardware that doesn't weigh down the small body unnecessarily.
- Flexible adjustment range for a fit that can be fine-tuned.
- Soft materials with a durable nylon weave as the base.
- Collar, harness and leash that can be combined in the same colour palette.
Measure before you buy
How to check your puppy's fit
Use a soft tape measure and measure your puppy standing up. Always compare the measurements with the size table for the specific product.
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01
Measure the neck
For a collar, measure where the collar normally sits. For a harness, measure where the harness's neck strap will sit; this may be a different place. The tape should rest close to the body without being pulled tight.
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02
Measure the chest
For a harness, measure around the widest part of the chest, usually just behind the front legs.
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03
Compare with the size table
For a harness, both neck and chest must fit within the same size. For a collar, compare the neck measurement with the range for suitable neck circumference, not with the collar's total length.
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04
Check all the way round
Make sure no strap rubs, sits in the armpit or restricts your puppy's natural movement.
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05
Do a careful safety test
Check that your puppy can't back out of the harness and that the collar can't be pulled over the head.
As your puppy grows
Puppy harness: when should you change the size?
There's no age at which a puppy automatically needs a larger harness. The neck and chest measurements, and how the harness sits during movement, decide when it's time to adjust or change model.
Do the measurements still fit?
Fine-tune the straps as your puppy grows. Check that the harness lies flat, doesn't slide towards the armpit and can't be backed out of. Also try it while your puppy walks a few steps.
Is the harness rubbing or slipping?
Measure the neck and the widest part of the chest again. Compare both measurements with the adjustment range for the current harness. A single measurement or your puppy's weight isn't enough to choose a size.
Is the adjustment no longer enough?
If one of the measurements falls outside the product's range, or the harness doesn't sit securely after adjustment, compare a different size. A puppy that has outgrown Petit may need Click, but only if both current measurements and the fit match.
The size finder gives possible sizes according to the overview. Always read the chosen product's size table and check the fit on your puppy before use.
Petit or Maul Mini?
Two collections for the smallest dogs
Both collections have delicate proportions but suit different needs and styles. Petit is the most flexible choice during your puppy's early days. Maul Mini suits you if you're looking for a classic leather collar.
Flexible for your puppy's everyday life
Light materials, delicate proportions and adjustable models make Petit our clearest first choice for a growing puppy.
Explore Petit →
Classic leather in a small format
Maul Mini offers handmade leather collars with proportions adapted for very small dogs.
Discover Maul Mini →Your puppy's basic gear
Five things before the first walk
Start with what matters most and choose pieces that work together. You can then add to the gear as you get to know your puppy's needs.
Collar
For an ID tag, everyday life and short sessions of leash training. Read the guide to choosing the right dog collar.
Harness
An option for walks when you want to spread the contact over a larger part of the body.
Leash
Choose a practical leash with a hook that feels proportionate to your puppy's size. Compare weight and hardware in the guide to leashes for small dogs.
ID tag
Engrave an up-to-date phone number and choose a light size for the small dog. See dog ID tags.
Poop bag holder
A small everyday detail that means the bags always come along on the walk.
Calm introduction
Let your puppy get to know the gear
The first encounter with collar, harness and leash should be simple and positive. Practise in small steps before heading out into a more demanding environment.
Let your puppy investigate the gear
Put out the collar or harness and let your puppy sniff it in peace and quiet.
Try it for a short while
Put the gear on at home and take it off again before your puppy gets tired or frustrated.
Create a positive association
Reward calm behaviour and let the gear become a natural part of something nice.
Increase the time gradually
When your puppy is comfortable, you can practise with the leash indoors and then take the first short walks.
FAQ
About puppy gear
Short answers about size, harness, collar and your puppy's first walking gear.
What gear does a puppy need?
A good start is a correctly fitted collar, a dog harness, a practical leash and an ID tag with up-to-date contact details. Choose light, adjustable models that fit your puppy's current size.
Should a puppy wear a collar or a harness?
Many puppy owners use both a collar and a harness on different occasions. The most important thing is that the gear is the right size, sits securely and doesn't restrict your puppy's natural movement.
What size should I choose for my puppy?
For a collar, measure where the collar sits. For a harness, measure where the harness's neck strap will sit and around the widest part of the chest. Both harness measurements must fit within the same size in the product's table. Choose based on your puppy's measurements today, not the expected adult size.
Should I buy a bigger harness that my puppy can grow into?
No, not if the bigger harness sits loosely. A harness must sit securely from the first use. Choose a model with a flexible adjustment range instead and check the size regularly.
Why is Petit a good choice for puppies?
Petit has delicate proportions, low weight and flexible adjustment. The range is designed for puppies and small dogs that need gear adapted to a smaller body.
What's the difference between Petit and Maul Mini?
Petit is a flexible range with collars, harnesses and matching accessories in light materials. Maul Mini consists of classic leather products in small proportions and suits you if you're looking for a more traditional look.
How often should my puppy's gear be adjusted?
Check the fit every week during periods of rapid growth, and always if the gear starts to sit differently, slip or leave marks.