How to care for and repair your dog gear

Your dog’s gear won’t last forever. But what if it could?

The secret to making your dog’s harness, jacket, and other equipment last as long as possible is simple: care. By taking good care of your dog's gear, you can enjoy safe, comfortable, and sustainable adventures with your companion for years to come. Not only is extending the life cycle of your dog's gear better for your active lifestyle, but it's also an environmentally friendly choice. When you take proper care of your gear and repair it rather than replace it, you reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.

From muddy trails and snowy mountains to expeditions in -50°C, our gear is designed to endure extreme conditions and perform reliably in various environments. Whether you’re running at a canicross competition, hiking your local trails, or simply letting time do its work, wear and tear on your equipment is however inevitable. Fortunately, with regular care and a little maintenance, most damage is easy to manage, so nothing will get in the way of your training or outings.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to care for your dog’s gear and what to do if it gets damaged.

How to care for your dog’s gear daily

Taking care of your dog's gear can be as simple as small, daily actions. Follow these recommendations to keep your dog’s gear in good condition and extend its life cycle:

• If your dog’s harness, jacket, or booties get very dirty, rinse them immediately after use. Removing dirt right away prevents it from breaking down the fabric, extending the life of the product.
• When not in use, store gear in a well-ventilated area so it can fully dry and air out.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight when drying gear, as UV rays can degrade colors and materials over time.
• Keep gear out of your dog’s reach when not in use to prevent chewing or damage. Your dog associates their gear with fun, which could make it  tempting for them! 
• Wash gear regularly, especially harnesses, jackets, and collars, to prevent bacteria build-up and odors. Explore our washing guide for detailed instructions on cleaning your Non-stop dogwear gear.
• Before and after use, check your dog’s gear for any signs of damage. If you notice cuts or wear, it’s time to repair or replace it. Damaged gear can lead to unsafe situations, putting both you and your dog at risk. Learn more about our product safety instructions here.

Some gear needs a little extra attention to maximize its lifespan. Here are specific care instructions for different types of gear.

How to care for your dog’s life jacket

Dog life jackets, like any safety item, deserve extra care to function properly when needed. Always rinse your dog’s life jacket with clear water after exposure to saltwater or sand. Hang it to dry in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight.  

How to care for your dog’s booties

Dog booties endure a lot of wear and tear due to their protective role on varied terrain. While they will eventually wear out, you can extend their life by choosing the right bootie for your activities and regularly trimming your dog's nails to prevent holes. If a bootie or sock develops a hole, try using the other side for extra mileage.

How to care for your dog leash and bungee

Leashes and bungees might not get as dirty as other gear, but they can become muddy after autumn training or an obstacle race. Their locking mechanisms are often exposed to dust, sand, and small particles, which can affect performance. To clean the locking system, rinse it with clear water. Use a toothbrush to help remove dirt from small gaps. For heavy-duty cleaning, consider using a water-dispersing spray or a light lubricant, but avoid oil-based lubricants,  as they can break down the fabric.

How to care for your dog’s sleeping gear

Sleeping bags or beds can get damp after days on the trail. Ensure you air them out properly between trips. Hang them in a dry space, and only store them when completely dry. Avoid compressing sleeping bags when in storage for best results.

How to care for your dog’s backpack

After wet or sandy outings, rinse the inner lining of the backpack to remove any gravel or dirt. These particles can cause chafing, especially in areas prone to friction. Hang it to dry in a well-ventilated  area between trips.

How to care for your bike antenna

A properly attached bike antenna should stay securely in place during rides. Always ensure the screws are tight before and after rides. For added security, use thread lock on the screws to keep everything tight. 

How to repair your dog jacket, harness, and hands-free belt

At Non-stop dogwear, we design gear to withstand tough conditions, trusted by professionals from multiple work and training environments worldwide. All products come with a 2-year warranty, and our arctic apparel with a 5-year warranty. Despite our best efforts, we know accidents happen, and parts of the equipment are more exposed to wear. Thankfully, those areas can often be replaced, meaning you can keep the gear in use for longer.

Here are some tips on repairing your gear.

How to repair a tear in your dog jacket

Fixing your dog’s favorite jacket is quicker and simpler than you think. You’ll need:

• A self-adhesive waterproof patch (available online or in sports and hardware stores), preferably pre-cut to round shapes for better adhesion. Follow the patch instructions before use.
• Sewing  kit (optional)

Follow these steps:

1. Ensure the jacket is clean and dry around the tear.
2. (Optional) Handstitch the tear with a few stitches. Be careful not to pull too tight, as this can alter the jacket's fit.
3. Lay the jacket flat.
4. Cut the patch so it extends at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) beyond the tear. Round off corners to reduce peeling.
5. Remove the backing and press the patch over the tear, starting from the center to avoid air bubbles.

If the tear is too large to use a patch, hand sew it tight. Make sure to tie off the end securely to reduce the risk of it getting caught or undone. Note that this may alter the fit of the item on your dog.

How to repair a tear on your Protector snow or Protector t-shirt

When repairing stretch fabric, it is important to minimize fabric loss, as it can affect the fit of the item on your dog:

1. Handstitch the edges and the tear to prevent it from opening further. Be sure to tie off the ends securely to avoid the stitching coming undone.
2. Lay the jacket flat.
3. Measure and cut a waterproof patch with at least 1 cm (0.4 in) of excess around the tear. Round off corners to prevent peeling.

If the tear is too large to use a patch, hand sew it tight. Make sure to tie off the end securely to reduce the risk of it getting caught or undone. Note that this may alter the fit of the item on your dog.

How to change a broken buckle

Most of our products use durable Duraflex® buckles that resist strong pressure and regular use. But let’s face it, sometimes a car door has other plans, or your dog decides the buckle looks like a tasty snack. Accidents happen!

If a buckle breaks, you can replace it instead of replacing the whole product. Visit this page to choose the right buckle you need and accessories like the Trekking belt 2.0 front piece buckle. Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions.

If both male and female buckle parts are broken, you can easily replace them with a replacement set. You have two options: choose a set where the female buckle clips easily through the loop*, or unpick the loop, insert the female buckle and stitch it back in place.  For this last action, we recommend getting help from a seamstress.

*We do not have buckle sets for sale. They can be purchased in specialized stores.

How to replace parts of your pulling harness

Our pulling harnesses are designed to keep high-wear areas replaceable while keeping the core intact for years of heavy use. You can even customize the colors of the spare parts for your Freemotion harness 5.0 to make it unique! Here's what you can replace:

• Side-straps: Replacement side straps are available for Freemotion harness, Freemotion harness 5.0, and Combined harness. Want more durability? Static straps are your best choice. Looking for extra flexibility and performance in races? Elastic straps are ideal!

• Backstrap: Replaceable backstraps are put under a lot of strain, but can easily be swapped out. Always secure it back in the metal loop for safety.
• End-rope: The end-rope ensures smooth movement. Replace it if damaged and adjust it so the loop ends at the base of the tail when in traction.

How to replace your hands-free belt front piece

If the front piece of your hands-free belt hands-free belt gets lost or damaged, replacements are available for all belt types. Find all the spare parts here.

Lost a piece of equipment?

You might think you don't need those leg straps on your Trekking belt, Ferd belt, or Trail light belt at first, but when you finally want them, they are nowhere to be found... Or maybe after your last activity, your belt’s carabiner mysteriously disappeared. No worries, you can find all those pieces, and more, on our spare parts page!

Find your perfect match

Spare parts are not just for repairs - they are also a way to personalize your gear! Each of our belts comes with the standard carabiner that suits its purpose, but you can choose the one that fits your specific activities best. All our carabiners are rated for 3kN  load capacity, more than enough for years of use with your dog!

• CaniX belt carabiner: A light oval carabiner with screw-lock.
• Ferd belt carabiner: A solid screw-lock carabiner.
• Quick-release snap hook: Ideal for skijoring or situations where a quick release is needed.
• Twistlock carabiner: A self-locking aluminum carabiner mounted on a swivel.

Please note that these are not suitable for climbing or as safety devices for humans.

Sharing your Trekking belt 2.0 or Ferd belt with others? Consider assembling a separate front piece to save adjustment time! You can find all the accessories to assemble your partner’s belt front piece on this page.

TROUBLESHOOTING ISSUES

If you haven’t found the answers you need in this guide, our expert customer service team is always ready to help. We know our gear inside and out and are happy to share our knowledge. Contact us here.

Caring for your dog’s gear is about more than just maintenance, it's about creating lasting adventures. Take a moment to inspect, clean, and repair today so you can enjoy tomorrow’s trails worry-free.