The majority of unsuccessful dog wheelchair fittings are the results of poor measurements. If possible, ask a friend to assist you when measuring your pet. Ideally the measurements are taken with the animal standing rather than laying on his/her side. Do not try to measure directly with a yardstick or measuring tape, but use a cord to determine size measurements.

Recommended Measuring Materials:

1. 2 pieces of light cord: 1 piece of cord – total length of the animal, 1 piece of cord – height of the animal
2. 1 ring – off your finger will work; attach ring to one piece of short cord
3. 2 yardsticks or other similar rigid sticks
4. Measuring tape or yardstick used in #3

Method: Measuring technique is best performed by using cord to measure distance and then determine length by holding cord against a yardstick or measuring tape.

• Person 1 – rest yardstick level over pelvis
• Person 2 - Stretch cord from level stick to ground
• Enter rear height as “A” on form

• Stretch longer cord between collar and tail attachment
• Enter length as “B” on form

• tie ring to short cord & slide ring onto long cord; you will use short cord to measure height
• Person 1 – wrap long cord entirely around chest behind elbows to measure chest/girth
• Person 2 – pull ring to bottom of chest girth & measure distance to floor with short string
• Measure distance between top of ring to floor
• Enter as "C" on form

• Wrap cord entirely around chest behind elbows
• Enter chest girth as “D” on form

• Person 1 – rest yardstick on shoulders
• Person 2 – stretch cord from level yardstick to ground
• Enter front height as “ E” on form

• Person 1 – place yardsticks vertically resting on floor and pressing against outside of each shoulder
• Person 2 – tension cord behind vertical yardstick and measure distance between yardsticks
• Enter front width as “F” on form

• Person 1 – place yardstick vertically resting on floor and pressing against each side of pelvis
• Person 2 – tension cord and measure distance between vertical yardsticks
• Enter rear width as “G” on form

• Slide ring with short cord onto long cord as in “C”
• Person 1 – tension long string around groin
• Person 2 – tension short cord from groin to floor
• Measure from top of ring to floor
• Enter groin height as “H” on form