The best no-pull dog harnesses in 2023
Best no-pull harness overall: Blue-9 Pet Products Balance Harness – see at Amazon The Blue-9 Pet Products Balance Harness significantly reduces pulling without impeding a dogs movement, sagging, or twisting.
Best versatile no-pull harness: 2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Harness – see at Chewy With front and back clips and a double-connection leash, the 2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Harness is versatile enough to use with any dog, even serious pullers.
Best affordable no-pull harness: Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness – see at Chewy The Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness is a durable, no-pull harness that wont break the bank.
Best no-pull harness for extended wear: Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness – see at Amazon The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is a comfortable harness for active dogs and will hold up to years of use.
The Blue-9 Pet Products Balance Harness significantly reduces pulling without impeding a dogs movement, sagging, or twisting.
Pros: Deters pulling better than other harnesses, six points of adjustment for appropriate fit, good for dogs that dislike putting their head through a harness, machine washable, 90-day chew replacement policy
Cons: More expensive than most other harnesses, no padding, can be confusing to put on at first
The Blue-9 Pet Products Balance Harness is a favorite among dog trainers and dog walkers alike. We were impressed by how much easier it was to walk our untrained shelter dogs when they were wearing this harness. The dogs pulled less and were easier to control when the harness was used with a leash attached to the front D-ring.
The harnesss Y-neck design does not cross the dogs shoulders or pinch under the armpits, offering a level of comfort not found with other harnesses that Robyn Socarro, a professional dog trainer at Beyond the Biscuit in Bentonville, Arkansas, swears by the Balance Harness. “It is great for daily performance, and it doesnt interfere with the dogs shoulder movement,” she said. Like all the harnesses in this guide, the leash can also be attached to the back of the harness for dogs that dont pull.
If youve had trouble finding a harness that fits, this is an excellent option. There are six different places on the harness to make adjustments for wide necks, barrel chests, and chunky bellies. In addition to six points of adjustment, this harness has straps that clip around the torso and neck. While the neck strap is ideal for dogs that resist putting their head through a harness, this design can make it confusing to put the harness on. The colored top strap on the back helps you keep straight what goes where.
The soft nylon has a 3,500-pound test strength. I toss mine into the washer and let it air-dry, with no damaging effects.
With front and back clips and a double-connection leash, the 2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Harness is versatile enough to use with any dog, even serious pullers.
Pros: Works well for serious pullers, straps do not loosen or sag, velvet-lined straps prevent chafing, machine washable, available in 7 sizes and 14 colors and designs, double-connection leash included
Cons: Can be confusing to put on, straps are difficult to adjust
The 2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Harness has something of a cult following among dog trainers. With both a front and back D-ring, its comfortable for walking dogs who are pullers and those who are not.
Users are frequently amazed at how quickly the Freedom harness reduces tension on the leash for dogs that pull, especially when paired with the included double-connection leash. By connecting the leash to the D-rings at the chest and back, the harness evenly distributes pressure, preventing a dog from feeling discomfort at a single point on their body and providing more control. The martingale strap at the back tightens in response to pulling to help prevent a dog from squirming out of the harness and escaping.
Diane Livoti Perlman, a certified professional dog trainer and owner of Metro Dog in Richmond, California, recommends this harness to all of her clients. Although several of our testers found it tricky to put on the first few times, it became easier once properly adjusted. There is a buckle at the neck, so the harness doesnt need to be pulled over a dogs head and the velvet lining on the strap behind the legs is a nice touch for dogs with sensitive-skin.
The Freedom Harness works well for dogs of all sizes and shapes. Its the only one in this guide with straps available in two different widths: 5/8 inch and 1 inch. It can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle and air-dried. I accidentally put it in the dryer, though, and it came out fine.
The Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness is a durable, no-pull harness that wont break the bank.
Pros: Five points of adjustment for good fit, reflective stitching, some padding
Cons: Limited color options, heavy plastic buckles may be uncomfortable
With the Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness you can either attach the leash to the front of the harness to reduce pulling or secure it to the back ring for casual walks or running with your dog.
Beth DiMeccio, who tested this harness on shelter dogs at Family Dog Rescue in San Francisco was impressed with how well it worked for serious pullers. “Theres little chance a dog can wriggle out of this harness, which is a big concern with shelter dogs,” she said.
The Y-shaped nylon 3-in-1 does not restrict a dogs movement. It has five different adjustment points to allow for a comfortable and snug fit, and with a buckle at the neck, it doesnt need to be pulled over a dogs head.The light neoprene padding and reflective stitching are a nice touch.
With 1-inch wide straps, this harness is heavier than similar styles, creating too much bulk for smaller dogs. Although the wider straps mean less chafing, there is no padding to cover the plastic clasps which may cause discomfort with all-day wear. Petsafe recommends hand-washing the 3-in-1, which may make it difficult to remove odors.
Once you get the hang of it, the harness is easy to put on. It also has a built-in adjustable strap for attaching to a cars seat belt, although its important to note that this harness has not been crash tested.
Best no-pull harness for extended wear
The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is a comfortable harness for active dogs and will hold up to years of use.
Pros: Padded, wide straps that wont chafe, can be worn all day, comes in 13 different colors and 5 sizes, easy to put on and take off, durable
Cons: Chest piece twists and gaps with serious pullers, not quick-drying
Designed for outdoor adventures, the Ruffwear Front Range Harness can take a lot of punishment while keeping your dog comfortable. The foam padding on the chest and belly prevents rubbing and chafing, and the built-in clasps are covered with fabric so they dont touch any part of a dogs body.
“The padding is nice because it doesnt rub on my thin-coated dog,” said San Francisco-based dog trainer Scarlett Cermak, owner of Embark Today. “I also really like that there is a back-clip option because there are times, believe it or not, when I want my dogs to pull, like in sports like canicross or joring.”
The harness is easy to put on and remove, with two clasps and two adjustment buckles. There are two leash attachments: an aluminum V-ring on the back and a reinforced webbing attachment on the chest plate.
The Front Range doesnt reduce pulling as well as the other harnesses we recommend. Although it is normal for a front-clip harness to move when your dog pulls, the Front Range has more twist than our other top picks, causing it to shift to the side with consistent pulling.
But its polyester shell fabric is highly durable. After seven years, the Front Range is the only intact harness my dog still wears from his younger days.
The harness has reflective stitching for nighttime visibility. Hand-washing is advised, but Ive had to put my dogs harness in the washer and dryer many times. Its held up, but the edges are now slightly curled.
What else we recommend and why:
What we dont recommend and why:
Key Points:
If your dog is pulling you on a walk, it can be very frustrating. It can be wearisome to have your arm being pulled like that. It is also dangerous to you, especially if you have a large dog. In addition, it may also be dangerous for your dog’s safety, since strenuous pulling against a collar can injure their throat and neck. Choosing a no-pull harness can help to stop your dog from pulling when on a walk and prevent injuries.
The reason(s) your dog is pulling on the leash can vary. Many individuals believe that dogs pull to express dominance and demonstrate that they are the leader of the pack; however, this isn’t true. Some possible reasons dogs pull on a leash can include:
Of course, there will always be those dogs that will still pull anytime they are on a leash, often because they are just so excited to be out and about. A no-pull harness is just the thing for a dog that pulls even when they’re choking themselves from the effort. It disperses the pressure around their chest area rather than digging into one spot on the dog’s body.
No-pull harnesses come in different styles and are adjustable to offer a good fit for each dog. Choosing the best no-pull dog harness that will keep your dog comfortable and safe while also preventing them from pulling on their leash can be difficult. We’ve put together reviews of some of the best options on the market. We’ve included harnesses for large dogs, small dogs, and puppies to help you find the right no-pull harness for your dog. We also added an extra fifth recommendation that’s perfect for those who want to run, bike, and hike with a dog that’s still working on leash manners.
Choosing a Dog Harness – Best Ones and How to Use
We updated this article in July 2022 to add more information based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. In addition to our original top-rated picks, after research and testing, weve narrowed our list to just the top 10 picks and included the .
Whether you just brought home a new dog or need a better way to walk your pet so they dont yank you down the block, a good dog harness can really make a difference during training or regular day-to-day activities. Our favorite harnesses come in a range of sizes, colors and styles to suit every need and price range for the largest pups or the smallest Chihuahuas. Whether youre looking for a soft vest harness, one that clips in the back, a basic training harness or something easy to step into, a harness can help turn your daily walk from a fight for control to a relaxing experience.
The Good Housekeeping Institute has a century-plus long history of testing products including pet favorites like dog beds, pet GPS trackers and dog sunscreen. In our last test of dog leashes and harnesses, we evaluated over a half-dozen products in our Lab and with consumer testers for ease of use, control of the dog, additional features like leash clips and overall satisfaction. We ultimately took over 670 measurements to find the best harness for your pup.