ZOOM FITTING ADVICE
If you are not able to come to our fitting studio or you do not live in Sydney, we offer free Zoom fitting advice appointments on Wednesdays (2:30pm & 3:30pm) and on Sundays (10:30am & 11:30am).
You are welcome to book a Zoom fitting either before and/or after you make a harness purchase from Harbour City Dog Gear. (If you plan to purchase from another supplier please contact them directly for fitting help.)
Please provide your dog's girth measurement, breed/s, age, M/F, and your preferred harness brand/style when you book your appointment.
Zoom appointments are for a maximum of 30 minutes.
Click here to book a Zoom appointment
See below for booking terms and conditions.
HCDG FITTING STUDIO
We have created a purpose-designed fitting studio in Lilyfield in inner-west Sydney. We offer a comfy space for people and their dogs, with calming music and yummy treats. All our harnesses and accessories are displayed for you to see, feel and try.
Open to the public:
Thursday 3:00-5:00pm (6pm Sept-Mar)
Friday 3:00-5:00pm (6pm Sept-Mar)
Saturday 11:00am-1:30pm
Any unexpected closures and/or updates to opening/closing times will be announced on our web site or social media channels.
No appointment necessary. If the roller door is closed, please follow the instructions on the sign.
When we are open to the public you are welcome to try harnesses and shop for accessories. These are also the times when you can pick up an order if you have selected local pick up during checkout.
When visiting the studio, if you do bring your dog with you they must be on lead at all times and be comfortable interacting with other people and other dogs. If your dog is nervous or reactive we recommend you book a private fitting appointment.
Please note the studio is a fairly compact size and if there are already a couple of customers in the studio you may have to wait outside until it is your turn. Please bring an umbrella or raincoat if the weather isn't good as there is no shelter outside the studio.
PRIVATE FITTINGG APPOINTMENTS:
We now offer 2 different appointment types for private fittings in the studio - Full and Express (see below). No other people or dogs (other than those in your party) will be at the studio during your appointment, and times are spaced out so you will not encounter other customers when arriving or leaving your appointment. The studio space allows for a maximum of 5 people and 3 dogs, noting that the Express Fitting is for one dog only. Click here for the booking page.
Please note that gift cards are not accepted as payment for fitting services. However, you are very welcome to purchase a private fitting for family or friends as a gift, as long as you provide us with all the required details when you book the appointment online.
Full Private Fitting – $35 for up to 90 minutes
These appointments are strictly for a maximum of 90 minutes and are suitable for reactive, shy or challenging dogs. Your dog is never rushed and we promote some initial sniffing/exploring and “getting to know you” time. We go as slowly as they need to when trying on harnesses and have enough time for little breaks in between. You are welcome to bring more than one dog to this appointment (maximum of 3 – if you bring 3 dogs please bring at least one other handler with you). During full private fittings we have Through a Dog’s Ear and Adaptil available to help relax your dog.
Wednesday 10:30am
Friday 10:30am
Saturday 2:00pm
Sunday 12:30pm, 3:00pm
Express Private Fitting – $15 for up to 30 minutes
These appointments are strictly for a maximum of 30 minutes. Prior to your appointment we encourage you to look at our harness range online and select 3 brands/styles you think you’d like to try on your dog, so we have a starting point. Express Fittings are generally not suitable for very reactive or shy dogs as we typically spend 15-20 minutes getting to know a dog before we start looking at harness options and 30 minutes does not allow enough time for this. The Express Private Fitting is for one dog only.
Thursday 2:00pm
Friday 2:00pm
Saturday 10:00am, 4:00pm
Click here to see available appointment times and make a booking.
See below for booking terms and conditions.
For all visitors to the Lilyfield Fitting Studio:
Thank you for making sure your dog has been toileted before they enter the studio. We have a doggie toilet (fake grass pad) that we can put outside if needed. You are responsible for any damage to the studio/stock caused by your dog.
In line with our ethos, please be advised that dogs wearing e-collars/bark collars/prong collars/slip leads/choker chains etc, are not permitted in the studio. We hope to take part in "Project Trade" once it has commenced* where you can surrender your aversive equipment (shock/bark/prong collars, choke chains) and receive a discount on a new harness. *As at August 2024, I have been advised that the Project Trade scheme is not yet running in Australia. We will provide updates as they are received.
The fitting studio is located in the laneway in between Lamb St + Justin St, Lilyfield, NSW, 2040. If you are using a GPS, ask it to take you to 57 Lamb Street - there are instructions on the front picket fence on how to walk around to the studio in the rear lane.
See map below for location of the studio. The laneway the studio is facing is not named on any maps, so we have called it “Lamb Lane”. However, please do not put Lamb Lane into your GPS – it will not take you to the right place!
Parking is available on Lamb Street or Justin Street and is free and unrestricted, but please be mindful of local residents. There is no parking available in Lamb Lane.
As at September 2024, Lamb Street is involved in the Western Harbour Tunnel works and is one way only, and parking is difficult. Suggest you park in Justin Street.
See further below for booking terms and conditions.
PRIVATE FITTINGS - AT YOUR HOME
SORRY, THIS SERVICE IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED. BACK IN 2025!
If you can't come to us or if your dog is more comfortable in a familiar environment, we can come to your home to fit your dog.
Within 10km radius of 2040: $89 (includes coastline from Watson's Bay to La Perouse)
Within 20km radius of 2040: $129
Over 20km from 2040: please contact us to discuss costs and options.
Please be honest when you book; if you book a fitting for $89 and your location is over 10km from 2040, the fitting will only take place once the additional fee owing is paid. You can use this site to check where your location sits: https://2kmfromhome.com/
The fitting cost is not refundable, and does not include the cost of any products.
There is no obligation to purchase anything at your fitting.
Appointments are available on Monday and Tuesday afternoons at 2:00pm and are for a maximum of 90 minutes. Please contact us if these days/times don't suit you and we will try our best to provide an alternative.
It is important that you provide an accurate girth measurement when you book your appointment, as well as provide your dog's age, breed/s, M/F and training level/focus, plus any other relevant information that pertains to fitting a harness. Please let us know if your dog is shy/reactive in any way so we can prepare appropriately, and if you have any special instructions for our arrival. You can check our blog “Ultimate Guide to Measuring your Dog for a Walking Harness” for guidelines on how and where to measure your dog.
When you book an “At Home” fitting, please state the harness brands that you would like your dog to try or if you have any particular requests/requirements or need specific features - we are limited by available space in the car to bringing apx 6 different styles in a few different size/colour options. If you wish to see or try more than that, please book an appointment in the studio or come in during our regular hours (see "Open to the public" above).
See below for booking terms and conditions.
OUR APPROACH TO HARNESS FITTING
Our harness fitting sessions are relaxed, calm, no-stress environments. We are mindful and unhurried, taking our time in getting to know your dog, so that we can gain their trust and ensure they’re comfortable with our presence and touch before we even consider fitting a harness.
Each fitting session is completely tailored to the individual dog, following our ethos of putting the dog first. Our focus is to help you find a harness to support your dog’s training, lifestyle and well-being.
Jenny is an experienced fitter and officially accredited by Dog Games Limited to fit Perfect Fit harnesses. Jenny is currently studying canine anatomy and physiology, and is also a Fear Free Certified Professional (Veterinary). She is experienced with shy and anxious dogs, and complicated canines in general.
There’s no pressure to purchase from us at a harness fitting. If none of our products are appropriate for your dog, we’ll try to recommend a trusted partner/brand.
BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By booking an appointment you agree to the following conditions:
1. ZOOM
Zoom fitting advice sessions are currently free. Bookings can be cancelled or rescheduled, but we would appreciate at least 24 hours notice. If you wish to re-schedule your appointment you can do that online via the link in your booking confirmation, or contact us so we can help find an alternative day/time for you.
If you cancel/reschedule your Zoom appointment more than twice, we reserve the right to decline further bookings.
For Zoom sessions please provide your dog's girth measurement, and any other relevant information, when you make your booking. (See link to blog post on measuring above.)
2. PRIVATE FITTINGS – LILYFIELD
The booking fee for a private fitting appointment at our studio (if applicable) is paid in advance and is not refundable.
Appointments can be rescheduled at no cost if requested 48 hours before the start time - please contact us as soon as you know you would like to change your appointment and we will help you find a suitable alternative. You can also change the day/time yourself by using the link in your booking confirmation email.
If you fail to attend your appointment or if 48 hours notice to reschedule is not given, any booking fee paid will not be refunded.
If you are late to your appointment, the available time may have to be reduced. No pro-rata refunds or time add-ons are available.
If you wish to book another appointment an additional booking fee will be payable.
If Harbour City Dog Gear has to reschedule your appointment we will do our best to let you know at least 48 hours prior. If a suitable alternative day/time cannot be found, we will happily refund your booking fee.
If you are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms please reschedule your appointment. This is for the safety of the fitter (and their at risk family members) and other HCDG clients.
3.PRIVATE FITTINGS - AT YOUR HOME ... currently suspended until 2025
The booking fee for a private fitting appointment at your home is paid in advance and is not refundable.
Appointments can be rescheduled if requested 48 hours before the start time - please contact us as soon as you know you would like to change your appointment and we will help you find a suitable alternative.
If you are late to your appointment, the available time may have to be reduced. No pro-rata refunds or time add-ons are available.
If we arrive at your home at the booked appointment time and you are not home, we are happy to wait for approx 15 minutes before we consider your appointment cancelled and your booking fee forfeited.
If you do not attend your appointment or if 48 hours notice of cancellation is not given, your booking fee will not be refunded.
If you wish to book another appointment an additional booking fee will be payable.
If Harbour City Dog Gear has to reschedule your appointment we will do our best to let you know at least 48 hours prior. If a suitable alternative day/time cannot be found, we will happily refund your booking fee.
If you are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms please reschedule your appointment. This is for the safety of the fitter (and their at-risk family members) and other HCDG clients.
The information on this page is subject to change with no notice.