Test for Versatility

In this test, we will determine if, among generally small dogs, the product can be used by adjusting it to the proper size for the dog. The test will be pass/ fail based on the harness’s ability to have a snug fit while still allowing for space to breathe.

Stepwise Procedure

1. All materials are on hand.

2. All initial conditions have been verified.

3. The respective team member will measure and note their dog’s neck and chest with a tape measure.

4. The respective team member will measure and note their dog’s weight.

5. The respective team member will put the harness on their dog and note whether or not it fits well-- is snug, but allows room to breathe.

Test Termination

The procedure will be terminated if:

• • 1. • The dog is harmed or in danger of being harmed.

       • Some event occurs not in procedure.

Results

Conclusion

While our dogs are generally close in size, we confirmed that the vest is adjustable for different sizes ranging from 8 to at least 20 pounds. This test could have been done with a greater variety of sizes, but we did not have access to dogs outside of our own. We feel that considering the size of the vest as well as the straps, the harness can be adjusted to dogs.

Tests for Ease of Use

To determine how quickly/easily the harness can be placed on the dog.

Stepwise Procedure

1. All materials are on hand and all initial conditions have been approved.

2. A team member will prepare to place the prototype on a dog mannequin and adjust it.

3. The other team member will prepare to use the timer.

4. When both members are ready, one team member will begin the test and the other will time it.

5. If the test is intentionally done at a slower or faster speed than natural, the trial will become invalid.

6. Repeat this process 8 times for the prototype and 8 times for the decided restraint.

7. Note all data on the datasheet.

Test Termination

The procedure will be terminated if:

• • • There is reason to believe a sort of bias is occurring.

    • Some event occurs not in procedure.

Results

Conclusion

The average time it took to put the harnesses on was around the same. While it was expected that our harness would take a little longer to put on than the other because it had 2 buckles instead of 1, we feel that the vest-like nature of it will be easier to understand for new dog owners who might not have experience with properly unfolding the straps to harnesses that are already on the market. Furthermore, the difference of the 2 times is not significant enough for us to consider this test a failure. It is objectively easy to use and relatively significantly easier to understand how to use.

Test for Comfort

To determine if the harness is generally comforting for long periods of time.

**Note: comfort is subjective and varies among different dogs. We tried to maximize comfort via materials research and this test is based on our dogs, specifically, to represent the majority.**

Stepwise Procedure

1. All materials are on hand and all initial conditions have been approved.

2. All participants are familiar with safety concerns.

3. A team member will prepare to place the prototype on their dog.

4. The dog will wear the harness for 30 minutes, an hour, and two hours.

5. The supervising team member will note any signs of discomfort. In the case of a dog showing more than one sign of discomfort, the test will end and be considered a fail.

6. If the test fails, the team member will note the amount of time the dog was able to wear the harness before experiencing discomfort.

Test Termination

The procedure will be terminated if:

• • • The dog is harmed or in danger of being harmed.

    • Some event occurs not in procedure.

Results

Conclusion

The test is considered a fail because it did not meet the criteria for all 3 trials, however, this proved that the harness generally doesn’t cause discomfort over periods of time ranging from half an hour to two hours. We feel that the design prioritized comfort and that the discomfort was caused by an outside factor. The material was chosen based on anti-anxiety thundershirts, which create a hugging feeling around the dog. Similarly, the straps we used are commonly used in other harness designs. However, the 2 materials don’t interact very well together. I think the harness would be significantly better if there was a stuffing between the 2 layers of fabric to help reduce the feeling of the straps sewn into the fabric.

Test for Safety

To determine the durability of the harness when a specific amount of force is applied to the straps.

Stepwise Procedure

1. All materials are on hand and all initial conditions have been verified.

2. All participants are familiar with safety concerns

3. A team member will set the weight of the Pull Down Machine to the heaviest weight as to not interfere with the weights that will be hung on the harness.

4. A team member will attach the prototype strap to the pulling bar of the Lateral Pull Down Machine.

5. A team member will attach various weights to the harness by hanging it from the straps. They will do this from 5 lbs to 50lbs.

6. Note whether or not the prototype was able to withstand 50lbs of force.

Test Termination

The procedure will be terminated if:

• • • Some event occurs not in procedure.

    • A safety concern arises.

Results

Conclusion

While the harness was not able to withstand 50 lbs of force (490 N) it came to a very close 45 lbs of force. This was impressive to us because we believed it would only make it to the originally planned weight of 35lbs. We believe that if there was an extra set of stitching done to connect the harness to the restraint, the prototype would have passed this test. Again, we believe that the interaction between the material of the straps and the fabric could have been executed better, but overall, we were proud of how well the harness held weight.