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. The Kurgo Tru-Fit is tough but not indestructible. In recent years, weve tested 13 dog harnesses ranging from traditional designs to step-in styles. 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. 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. Its also easy to put on, and it has a lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects. Pull the cloth tape snug, but not tight. The padding and elastic neckline move with your dog for a more comfortable fit during every adventure. The dual-clip harness offers the best of both worlds because it has a leash attachment point at both the front and back of the harness. For a dog like Watson, its great, said Wirecutter senior editor Mark Smirniotis. We soaked our harnesses in a vinegar-water solution, washed them, and noted which models retained odors or smelled like new. This harness also did poorly in the washer, as the metal tarnished and lost its shine. To adjust this harness, you must use the load-lifter straps, located on the same strap as the buckle. The 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness is the harness we recommend for dog owners who want greater control over a rambunctious or large dog. Finally, 2 Hounds Design backs the Freedom No Pull harness with a lifetime replacement warranty for chewing damagefor a fee. Make sure there's enough room for about two fingers between the harness and your pet's chest for comfort. 2 Hounds Design also offers lifetime replacements of the Freedom No Pull harnessincluding for chewing damagefor a fee that averages a third of the purchase cost. Previously, she covered pets and style for Wirecutter. Weve updated this guide with highlights and more info about the challenges using the PetSafe Easy Walk harness. Wasn't sure I'd need the handle on the back, but it has really helped with the pup because he gets pretty excited when he wants to lurch and run after doggies at the track--and he's 70lb, so having a handle helps a LOT! 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. Although many dog trainers recommend this harness for their clients, we dont think its ideal for newbie dog owners to slap on without proper instruction. We note which models offer size-appropriate buckles, D-rings, and webbing widths for small dogs versus larger breeds, and then we practice fitting each harness on the dogs. The sizing chart may be located by clicking the Size tab, next to the Description and Instructions tab, just under the product photos. The trainers we interviewed recommended harnesses that offer dual leash-attachment rings: one on your dogs back and one on your dogs chest. 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. Girth was perfect but I had to push over his face to insert it . The webbing on the Pawtitas Reflective Step-In Dog Harness is itchy, and its too wide in its smallest sizes, so it isnt ideal for petite pups. This test told us how likely a harness would be to trap odors after a dog spent an afternoon rolling around in sources of unpleasant smells at the park. The Freedom No Pulls design, with a strap that sits low across the chest instead of encircling the neck (which half of the harnesses we researched did), makes it more comfortable for dogs to wear. A back-clip harness has a leash attachment point between the pups shoulder blades, so its less likely to get tangled between their legs during walks. baro hyena harnesses petshop The L.L.Bean Personalized Reflective Pet Harness was our previous pick for a step-in harness with a back attachment. A front-clip harness, sometimes called a no-pull harness, has a leash attachment point at the dogs chest that discourages pulling by spinning the dog back toward you when they tug on the leash too much. People with limited hand strength may prefer our main pick, which is just as secure but easier to buckle and unbuckle. We preferred harnesses that were durable yet light enough that they wouldnt weigh our dogs down. 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. The harness rests higher up on the neck than most styles we found, and it doesnt offer much give. Get your canine companion geared up for your next ex-paw-dition with the PetSafe EasySport Nylon Reflective Back Clip Dog Harness! 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 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. Although she hates anything going over her head, she's getting used to having to have the front go over her head. (The two leashes also offer peace of mind, should one snap off when your dog tries to run after a darting squirrel.). Bringing home a new cat or dog is challenging for you and them. This option is more versatile because dog owners can transition from the front to back setup as their dog matures and gets used to walking on the leash. 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 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. Its buckles and straps are long-lasting, and it has both front and back attachment points for greater versatility. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Pulling hard can cause whiplash on the dogs neck, and simply changing to a harness that steers clear of the neck can be an immediate fix, he said. 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. The Kurgo Tru-Fit is hard-wearing, has front and back attachment points, is easy to put on, and offers sizes and adjustments to fit most dogs. With Velcro, you might think you could easily tighten the harness to create a snug fit, but in this case the placement of the buckle blocks you from doing so. I have no clue how to get him a great harness so disappointed. The fit was poor in our tests, too, and it was easy for some dogs to slip out of the harness. And Sutton, our 9-pound Chihuahua mix, who has a 14-inch chest, easily slipped out of the smallest harness, which is designed for dogs weighing as little as 5 pounds or with chests as small as 12 inches across. (The Center for Pet Safety independently certifies harnesses, and you can review its findings. Other gear marketed to help correct a dogs pulling, such as choke chains, can cause too much pressure on the neck. Its very similar to our main pick from Kurgo, but its materials arent as tough. We recently took in a sweet Border Collie who was abandoned with her pups in our neighborhood. *At the time of publishing, the price was $40. And our longtime pick, the MidWest Ultima Pro, still came out on top. The elastic neckline not only provides a comfortable fit for your furry buddy, but it also easily slides over his head when you take the harness on and off. By switching to the front attachment, you can overcome this urge in most dogs to pull, and you get greater control. The Puppia Soft Harness is a soft, adjustable vest made to keep a toy-sized dog safe. Wirecutter software engineer Jasmine Khoury purchased a Kurgo harness for her parents beagle-dachshund mix and said the fit is superb. We retested the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness. Weve divided our contenders into four categories: front-clip harnesses, back-clip harnesses, dual-clip harnesses, and step-in harnesses. 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. Its supposed to click around the chest but was too long going around her stomach. Our picksfor pet beds, bowls, toys, insurance, and morehelp ease the transition. The Easy Walk Harness lacks a stabilizing strap between the dogs front legs, which would keep the harness from shifting as the dog moves. But it doesnt deter a dog from pulling like a front-clip harness will, so its ideal for relatively calm dogs. 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. 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.). It may not necessarily reflect an actual price offered on our site or elsewhere. Subscribe now for unlimited access. 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. 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. If your pet falls in between two sizes, we recommended purchasing the larger size. Meaghan Lee Callaghan is a science writer based on Long Island. (The PetSafe Easy Walk has a similar, T-shaped design but omits the stabilizing strap between the front legs. Or, if you prefer, you can use the back attachment ring for a traditional walking experience. 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. 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. 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. *At the time of publishing, the price was $17. 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. 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 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. If you have a skinny large dog get a larger size, if you have a fat smaller dog get a smaller size. But dogs may get tangled in the low-hanging leash if owners arent careful. It fit our largest tester, Watsona 115-pound Bernese mountain dog with a 39-inch chestthe best, and its dual attachment points gave his owner plenty of control on their walks. The Puppia harness fits chest sizes from 9 to 41 inches. In addition, weve paid special attention to how the harnesses retain smells, testing them in this regard by soaking each harness in a vinegar-water solution before running them through a washing machine. If you have a dog, you should get a harness, because every expert we spoke with agreed that harnesses are a better, safer way to walk your dog compared with leashing them at the collar. We dont recommend this model for bigger breeds because the stretchy material is thin enough that it could wear out quickly if your large dog is a puller. The reflective piping also provides added safety because it will help keep you both visible during your evening walks. The Kurgo Tru-Fit harness fits dogs weighing 5 to 110 pounds or with chests measuring 12 to 44 inches. L.L.Bean Personalized Reflective Pet Harness, Best Pet Supplies Voyager Step-In Air All-Weather Harness, Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Dog Harness, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Harnessing the Walk: Choosing the Right Harness for Your Dog. It works well for training good leash manners and offers pet owners greater control of their dogs during walks. 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. It has worked liked a miracle! This design claims to help you retain control on walks without your tugging on your dogs leash (and potentially harming them) in the process. Putting this kind of harness on incorrectly can lead to poor fit and discomfortor your pup getting loose. Seems like a good harnes, but they need to figure out dog sizes. Thank you, Chewy Representative, for your suggestion! In fact, harnesses with back attachments can signal a dog to pull harder, as if they were pulling a sled or cart. For small dogs, the Puppia Soft Harness is a better bet. For instance, the front attachment point is plastic, not metal, so it doesnt seem likely to hold up over time. The PetSafe Easy Walk Harness promises to be a safe way to train your pup to walk without pulling. Weve also panel-tested our top-performing dog harnesses with a variety of dogs, from a 9-pound Chihuahua mix named Sutton to a 115-pound Bernese mountain dog named Watson, and everything in between. That lower attachment point grants dog owners greater control over their pets because it more evenly distributes the force of a dogs movement. 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. For extra security, some dog owners use two leashes with this type of harness: one for each attachment point. The Orvis Personalized Reflective Harness (now unavailable) is nearly identical to the L.L.Bean harnesses we considered, but the Orvis model comes in fewer sizes (though it is available in more colors). Leave room for two fingers to ensure comfort. They sent me one size down, and now the collar part just about chokes the dog, but it fits perfectly on his chest. 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. (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.) (In extreme cases, a dog pulling against a collar can cause tracheal collapse.) On the off chance one leash snaps, the dog will still be secure. 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. It's also extremely helpful for lifting her into a car. The mesh and backpack combo of the Kurgo Stash n Dash Harness retained heat on warm testing days, and we worried about our dogs overheating. 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. Puppies, toy dogs, and low-slung pooches may have trouble fitting in a standard harness. We noted which harnesses gave us greater control over our dogs during walks, especially when maneuvering on crowded sidewalks. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. 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. Our interviewed experts echoed those 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. It's easy to put on and easy to adjust. (If your pup is between sizes, Kurgo recommends sizing up.) The harness stays put on the dogs body with simple, strong straps that dont constrict. 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. Our dogs looked uncomfortable wearing this harness on walks. The multiple adjustable areas have worked out really well because their dog is a long chubby girl with a small head, and she hasnt been able to slip out of it, Jasmine said. reflective It arrived quickly, and Chewy's customer service and support are the best! You get control over the whole strength of the dog by pulling on the chest, said trainer Kate Perry. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. But that extra layer makes the harness really thick, so its a pain to resize. 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. 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. 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. Though these features can make adjustability a breeze, we found that the harness was usually either too loose or too tight as a result. Trainers often recommend this strap-style harness for better control when youre walking your dog. Before you bring home a dog for the first time, make sure you have everything to keep your new pet happy and healthy. When shes not writing, you can find her snuggled up with a pup and a good book or hiking trails along the beach. It also comes with an additional, small nylon loop and a carabiner to attach the harness to a seat belt or to use it as a training tool, yet Kurgo says the seat-belt loop isnt crash-tested, so we dont recommend depending on it as a safety measure while youre driving. The harness hugs the dogs body with minimal fabric thats freely adjustable.
