We noted which harnesses gave us greater control over our dogs during walks, especially when maneuvering on crowded sidewalks. Thats a wide range of sizes, but it doesnt account for all petsboth our tiniest and our largest testers couldnt comfortably wear this harness, so we recommend our other picks if your pup is a size outlier. Trainers Kate Perry and Shelby Semel both said that the Freedom No Pulls design gives owners more control without extra material, and that it leaves a wide berth between your dogs neck and any straps that could choke. I selected the orange color, and it looks great! The Best Pet Supplies Voyager Step-In Air All-Weather Harness is a Velcro-attached vest that has one buckle. It arrived quickly, and Chewy's customer service and support are the best! In recent years, weve tested 13 dog harnesses ranging from traditional designs to step-in styles. The Kurgo Tru-Fit is tough but not indestructible. In our testing, we loosened the stitching where the webbing meets the vest seam when we tugged hard on it by hand to simulate a dogs lunge. Nearly every trainer we spoke with mentioned the 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness by name. A harness gives you better control on walks and takes pressure off your pups neck if, say, your dog lunges after a squirrel. Girth was perfect but I had to push over his face to insert it . The Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Dog Harness seems like a step up from the Kurgo version we ultimately picked: It has heavy-duty materials because its made for car safety and not necessarily for casual walking. But it lacks a front clip, so it's not the best for pups that pull. Comparatively, the Rabbitgoo Dog Harness is half the price of our pick, but the vest isnt as soft, and its webbing is thinner and more easily prone to fraying. But since the Puppia harness has no give in the neck area, finding a proper fit can be challenging. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Note it doesn't open at the neck so it's harder to get off the dog and won't work if their head is too big The PetSafe 3 in 1 Harness is well made, and we like that the webbing is lined in jersey knit, which is softer on a delicate pups skin. But it lacks a front attachment, which is necessary for greater control over large dogs and dogs that pull, so we dont recommend this harness for bigger pups. Before you bring home a dog for the first time, make sure you have everything to keep your new pet happy and healthy. The trainers we spoke with said the Freedom No Pulls front attachment on the horizontal strap, which is positioned low on the chest, is key to preventing pups from pulling. The company replaces harnesses with defects for free, but it charges a small fee to replace a harness with normal wear and tear or chewing damage. The Ruffwear Hi & Light harness is sold in six sizes to accommodate dogs with chests measuring 9 to 42 inches. These harnesses can be confusing to put on compared with other types, though, since theres not much to differentiate the front from the back. Gear and Tips to Help Your New Pet Feel at Home. List Price is the suggested retail price from a manufacturer, supplier, or other retailer. The Tru-Fit did well in all our tests and didnt warp under stress from weight. No way to adjust the collar portion. Once it was on it worked fine. The Ruffwear Hi & Light Lightweight Dog Harness is the one style wed pick for dogs that dont like to feel weighed down on walks, such as those with arthritis. Our interviewed experts echoed our safety concerns, saying that its common for dog owners to fit the Easy Walk improperly on their dogs, and that they dont recommend it for most owners. I had this same harness for a previous dog and loved it! This light piece is ideal for small dogs that are averse to bulky designs. Dogs arent one size fits all. Grab the Ruffwear Hi & Light Lightweight Dog Harness if our Puppia pick is sold out, or if your pup doesnt like to feel weighed down on walks due to arthritis or other reasons. And our longtime pick, the MidWest Ultima Pro, still came out on top. Though back attachments may be common, they can signal a dog to pull harder, because thats what harnesses were first designed for, said trainer and author Kate Perry; sled dogs and working dogs wore harnesses, Perry explained, to pull carts in tow. The harness hugs the dogs body with minimal fabric thats freely adjustable. By switching to a harness with a front attachmentlike the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Walking Harness, our top recommendationyou can overcome this urge in most dogs to pull, and you get greater control. A traditional dog harness with a back attachment does not stop a dog from pulling. Sizing can get tricky since Puppias vest design doesnt have any give in the collar, so double-check your pups measurements before you purchase this harness. Seems like a good harnes, but they need to figure out dog sizes. Even if Baxter had shredded the harness or if it had warped in testing, Kurgo would have responded to a claim, as it offers a lifetime warranty, on all its products, that even covers damage done by your pet. Just a quick tug at the leash can bring you face-to-face with your pup, making it easy for you to gain the dogs attention. We found that the buckles remained secure, and the webbing was durable, albeit a little scratchy. Pull the cloth tape snug, but not tight. The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Walking Harness is a great option for most dogs and their owners because its well made and has dual attachment points. We prefer harnesses that are easy to put on and adjust without our having to read a confusing instruction pamphlet, since that could lead to improper fits and increase the odds of an accident. The Kurgo Tru-Fit harness fits dogs weighing 5 to 110 pounds or with chests measuring 12 to 44 inches. Weve compiled potential contenders by browsing major retailers, pet stores, online forums, and dog blogs. *At the time of publishing, the price was $40. And the chest plate is lined with stiff cardboard, which can be confining for a dog to wear on a long walk. Wirecutter staffers have reported successfully requesting replacement Kurgo products after just a few weeks of use, and Kurgos customer service has never questioned their returns or asked for a receipt (a bonus for people who tend to misplace UPC barcodes and receipts). We cant continue to recommend a product that weve never retested. Will the top handle be capable of lifting/carrying a 25 lb. I had been trying to get her to enjoy walks with our other doggo, but she would not budge with a regular collar and leash. Its supposed to click around the chest but was too long going around her stomach. Chewy came through once again because I had to order a few different sizes so the extras went to our local animal shelter. Also, we had difficulty stashing the harness into the built-in backpack, and it became more trouble than it was worth. Its also easy to put on, and it has a lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects. The two buckles also make this harness quick and easy to get on and off, and the rear leash attachment point keeps your dogs leash out of his way, so he doesnt trip while he's walking. A dog harness should be snug but not tighta good rule of thumb is that if you can fit two fingers under the straps, thats loose enough for comfort but tight enough that your pet cant slip away. This is a great harness for dogs who dont like having things put over their heads. To get the most accurate size harness for your pet, measure the girth of their chest, around the widest part of your dog's torso right behind the front legs, with a cloth tape measure. Harnesses with two attachment points can also work with two leashes, one at each point, to give you what trainer Shelby Semel calls steering control, which can be great for people who often feel like their dog is overpowering the walk. The vest-like design of the Ruffwearwhich adjusts at both the chest and the neckis more flexible than that of our other picks, so its likely to provide a better fit. The Puppia Soft Harness is a soft, adjustable vest made to keep a toy-sized dog safe. (Wirecutters Kaitlyn Wells noted that the Easy Walk is popular at the animal shelters she volunteers with, but even in that professional setting no one can use this harness until theyve completed an internal training workshop.) Dr. Katherine Houpt, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, phone interview, August 8, 2017, Annie Grossman, School For The Dogs, phone interview, August 16, 2017, Dr. Amy Pauli, Madison Veterinary Specialists, phone interview, August 16, 2017, Andrea Arden, Andrea Arden Dog Training, phone interview, August 16, 2017, Shelby Semel, Shelby Semel Dog Training, phone interview, Kate Perry, Kate Perry Dog Training, phone interview, Anthony Newman, Calm Energy Dog Training, email interview, Dr. Kevin Cronin and staff, Bellmore Veterinary, in-person interview, Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, The Best Front Clip Dog Harnesses, Whole Dog Journal, March 9, 2017, Mikkel Becker, Harnessing the Walk: Choosing the Right Harness for Your Dog, Vet Street, April 16, 2014. lightweight, pocket for ID tags, reflective trim, dogs weighing from 4 pounds to up to 200 pounds, 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness, Ruffwear Hi & Light Lightweight Dog Harness, Best overall dog harness: Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Walking Harness, For large dogs and dogs that pull: 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness, For tiny dogs and dogs that dont like bulk: Ruffwear Hi & Light Lightweight Dog Harness. And although the Tru-Fits front attachment point helps keep dogs from pulling, this harness is not quite as good for rambunctious pets as our runner-up, the 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness, whose front attachment point is even lower on the chest for more control. She's never met a pet she didnt like, although she cant say the same thing about productivity apps. (Although the chest measurements for this harness are similar to those for our main pick, the Freedom No Pulls open design accommodates dogs that weigh more.) Weve divided our contenders into four categories: front-clip harnesses, back-clip harnesses, dual-clip harnesses, and step-in harnesses. Theres also the step-in harness, which is buckled onto a dog by wrapping it around their midsection, rather than over their head and around their midsection, like most harnesses. Sporns Non-Pull Mesh Harness has an interesting design, with soft padding that scoops under both armpits, mesh on the chest, and a drawstring to close in the back. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. After three years of testing, we still believe that the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Walking Harness is the best harness for most dogs (and their owners). But the closureswhich arent quite buckles but rather two layers of metal that you have to slide inside each otherare difficult to fasten, especially if your impatient dog is wiggling. This way when she comes to a whistle & I offer a treat, I can easily catch the handle instead of manhandling her. dog for short periods of time? Remember to measure your pet for the paw-fect fit. Just a quick tug at the leash can bring you face-to-face with your pup, making it easy for you to gain the dogs attention. Bringing home a new cat or dog is challenging for you and them. And our experts said its common for dog owners to fit the Easy Walk improperly on their dogs, creating a safety issue with that model.). They sent me one size down, and now the collar part just about chokes the dog, but it fits perfectly on his chest. We recently took in a sweet Border Collie who was abandoned with her pups in our neighborhood. The rear leash attachment point helps keep your dog from tripping on his leash. Her first picture book, A Family Looks Like Love, follows a pup who learns that love, rather than how you look, is what makes a family. The plastic buckles are stiff to use, too, and when our testers were trying this harness, they worried about pinching their fingers or their dogs skin. This dog harness comes in a variety of colors and is available in sizes for dogs weighing 14 to 250 pounds or with chests measuring 14 to 44 inches. Collars can also be a lot easier to slip out of, especially for long-necked dogs, and a properly sized harness can help you keep tabs on your pooch. But dogs may get tangled in the low-hanging leash if owners arent careful. Our dogs looked uncomfortable wearing this harness on walks. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. For instance, the front attachment point is plastic, not metal, so it doesnt seem likely to hold up over time. What size should I get for my 8 week old Havapoo? For example, even though the Tru-Fit is marketed for dogs weighing up to 110 pounds or with chests measuring up to 44 inches in diameter, in our experience the largest size fit a bit snugly on Watson, our 115-pound Bernese mountain dog, who has a 39-inch chest but a thick double coat. It's easy to put on and easy to adjust. But it doesnt deter a dog from pulling like a front-clip harness will, so its ideal for relatively calm dogs. This design is especially good if your dog is an escape artist and might slip one leg out from under a nylon harness strap and hightail it three blocks in a flash. Its dual attachment points on the back and lower chest allow owners greater control over their dogs while on walks. The Easy Walk Harness lacks a stabilizing strap between the dogs front legs, which would keep the harness from shifting as the dog moves. It easy to put on and take off, it eliminates pulling around the neck, and our Molly looks forward to her daily walks every time now! In addition, we ordered this harness three times and never received the correct item; the manufacturer couldnt explain why it never found the correct harness in the warehouse. The padding and elastic neckline move with your dog for a more comfortable fit during every adventure. Kaitlyn Wells is a senior staff writer who advocates for greater work flexibility by showing you how to work smarter remotely without losing yourself. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. The straps are adjustable but it was THAT much bigger *longer*. Getting the right fit was challenging because the neck hole for the small, which should have fit her, but the neck was way too small. We independently review everything we recommend. This guide builds on reporting by Meaghan Lee Callaghan, a dog owner and science journalist. And this harness is made of tough, durable materials that wont easily pill, tear against sharp dog nails, or fray from normal pulling and play. We loved it for its highly reflective material, as well as the option to personalize it with your contact information, and it was backed by L.L.Beans legendary warranty at the time. But most dog trainers note that any collar or harness should be a tool for dog owners, not a magic solution. Since these dogs can be squirmy or have low-slung bodies, a more-flexible fabric construction can stay in place better than nylon straps or a universal design like that of the Kurgo Tru-Fit vest. What about the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness? If you share your bed with a pet, some simple strategies and durable gear can help protect against accidents and keep your space clean and comfortable. And as with our pick from Puppia, we dont recommend this harness for large dogs because it lacks a front attachment, which would give you greater control over a big pup. If your dog likes to roll in damp grass or wood chips, the Ruffwear Hi & Light harness has your back. Our poor testing dogs had flashbacks to being dressed up in unfortunate holiday sweaters. ), Best for: most dogsAttachment points: front, backFeatures: reflective trim, seat belt loop (but it isnt crash tested)Sizes: dogs weighing from 5 pounds to up to 110 poundsWarranty: lifetime warranty. *At the time of publishing, the price was $17. Best for: large dogs, dogs that pullAttachment points: front, backFeatures: complimentary training leashSizes: dogs weighing from 14 pounds to up to 250 poundsWarranty: lifetime replacement for chewing damage. Youll find five easily changeable adjustment points for a snug fita snug harness gives you more control over your dog than a loose one, and it prevents the shifting we experienced with some other harnesses we tested, such as the PetSafe Easy Walk. The handle on the back of the harness can be used to lift your dog up. In our testing, the harness often got twisted, making it a challenge for us to maneuver our dogs. As with most harnesses we tested, the Tru-Fits dual attachment points move the pressure from pulling the leash lower, to the dogs chest or back, depending on which attachment point you use. Ideally, you want to have a dog walk with nothing on, said trainer Annie Grossman, co-owner of School For The Dogs in New York City. Measure his chest and place the order according and again he cant get his head in the opening but it fits his chest area perfectly. We tested 17 dog crates with our own escape-artist pups and those from area rescues. The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Walking Harness stands out in part because it has a vest shape that doesnt constrict a dogs neck like a traditional harness does when someone tugs on the leash to get the dogs attention away from, for example, a dashing rabbit or an enticing scent. The trainers we interviewed recommended harnesses that offer dual leash-attachment rings: one on your dogs back and one on your dogs chest. This pressure can even have unexpected consequences, such as increased eye pressure and, in extreme cases, tracheal collapse. Dont Let Pets Destroy Your Bedding. We also like the Freedom No Pull model for larger dogs because its sold in a wider range of sizes than our other picks, available for dogs weighing 14 to 250 pounds or with chests measuring 14 to 44 inches. Learn More About PetSafe From Our Team of Experts, Best Pet Supplies Voyager Plush Suede Dog Harness, Chocolate, Large, Comfort Soft Wrap Back Clip Dog Harness, Bright Pink, XXX-Small: 11 to 13-in chest, Copatchy No-Pull Reflective Adjustable Dog Harness, Red, Small, Pawtitas Nylon Reflective Back Clip Dog Harness, Teal, X-Small: 14 to 18-in chest, Comfort Soft Back Clip Dog Harness, Blue, X-Small: 16 to 19-in chest, Frisco Small & Medium Breed Soft Mesh Back Clip Dog Harness, Blue, 18.5 to 24-in chest, Best Pet Supplies Voyager Corduroy Dog Harness, Red, X-Small, Frisco Padded Reflective Harness, Pink, Medium, Neck: 14.5 to 25.5-in, Girth: 22 to 27-in, Pawtitas Nylon Reflective Step In Back Clip Dog Harness, Pink, Small: 15 to 22-in chest, Frisco Nylon Step In Back Clip Dog Harness, Black, Small: 16 to 24-in chest, Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Base Mesh Dog Harness, Black Trim, X-Large, Frisco Outdoor Solid Textured Waterproof Stink Proof PVC Dog Harness, Sunset Orage, Small, Neck: 14 to 19-in, Girth: 16 to 23-in. The vest-like design doesnt put extra pressure on a dogs throat if they tug. If you do use a harness, the experts reminded us that puppies younger than a few months shouldnt wear a collar or harness 24/7. If you have a skinny large dog get a larger size, if you have a fat smaller dog get a smaller size. I got the next size and was able to adjust the waist area to fit perfectly! It took us only a minute or two to adjust the straps to fit finicky Baxter the boxer snugly but not too tightsoon he was bounding around the backyard as if he werent wearing a thing. The Kurgo Journey Dog Harness is well made, but our dogs were noticeably uncomfortable wearing it during testing. She has also attended her fair share of pet obedience classes, and she has been volunteering with animal shelters for nearly a decade. On the off chance one leash snaps, the dog will still be secure. harness agitation padded k9 attack fordogtrainers fdt lm The Gooby Comfort X Step-In Harness has a cool design for toy dogsthe X shape creates a V, with straps that sit far away from the dogs neck. The vest is also a no-brainer to put on: Unlike the Blue-9 Balance and the PetSafe 3 in 1 Harness, the Kurgo Tru-Fit has no confusing straps, and its clear which side is the front and which is the back. The Puppia harness fits chest sizes from 9 to 41 inches. You may get used to its design over time, but compared with the Kurgo Tru-Fit, our top pick, its overly complicated. They can give the dog a negative association with whatever theyre lunging at, said Semel, even though the initial pull or lunge could be innocent. My pup apparently came from as abusive environment as she runs every time you approach her. The vest also latches closed with Velcro, which isnt very secure, and the design has no adjustable belly strap to accommodate dogs with wasp-shaped chests or low-slung frames. Or, if you prefer, you can use the back attachment ring for a traditional walking experience. The construction and straps are durable, and a bit of velvet sits under each armpit strap for extra comfort and as a clear identifier as to which strap goes where. We prefer webbing thats thicker (because its unlikely to fray after long-term use) and softer, with burnished edges, so its more comfortable against a dogs skin. Use These Tips Instead. The harnesss low-profile and vest-like shape has four adjustment points to help you find a great fit for many dogs, from those with large heads and smaller necks to broad-chested canines with low-slung bodies. Best for: small dogsAttachment points: backFeatures: lightweightSizes: dogs weighing from 4 pounds to up to 60 poundsWarranty: one-year limited warranty for manufacturer defects. We walked our testers in each harness and paid attention to the overall fit, comfort, movability, and controllability. No matter how strong of a grip you think you have on your 100-pound behemoths leash, theres no planning for when they suddenly lunge at a cat darting across the street. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Its also easy to put on and available in a variety of sizes, and it comes with a great warranty. I measured my dog, ordered the harness, and it hung down almost 3 below his chest fully tightened. But since then, L.L.Bean has reduced its lifetime-warranty policy to a one-year warranty policy, putting this models coverage on a par with that of many of the harnesses we tested. The debris-resistant liner wont easily tear or trap prickly pieces if your pup rolls around in wood chips at the dog park. The Puppia is available in sizes small enough for use on a dog with a 9-inch chest, such as a 3-pound Chihuahua. That strap and attachment point, located lower than the one on our top pick, focuses the force centrally on the chest and tugs on the connecting under-leg straps, making it especially easy for you to win back your dogs attention and correct naughty behavior. Originally got it for my growing husky pup. The harness stays put on the dogs body with simple, strong straps that dont constrict. No small-dog harnesses we found have front attachment points, but dogs this tiny are light enough for you to reposition using the rear point, if you need to correct bad behavior. You can grab the top handle to guide or redirect your canine companion. Every expert we spoke with said that harnesses offer a better, safer way to walk your dog compared with leashing them at the collar. We recommend double-checking your pups measurements before purchasing the Puppia; the manufacturer advises adding to inch to the neck measurement and measuring at the base of the neck for a proper fit.
petsafe dog harness with handle