Last Updated on May 25, 2024 by Dogster Team
As much as we’d love for our dogs to just not pull, many dogs continue to pull even after extensive training. Some dogs are simply excited, or they may be drawn in by smells and sights that we can’t contend with. Working breeds that were made to follow something, like hounds and sighthounds, tend to have the biggest problems. wide dog collars
Luckily, no-pull dog harnesses can help limit pulling. They’re designed in such a way that the dog cannot pull, typically because the point of contact is on their chest. If they attempt to pull, they get spun around!
There are plenty of no-pull dog harnesses out there, but not all of them are effective. Below, you’ll find reviews for some of our favorite no-pull dog harnesses.
The PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is easily the best overall no-pull dog harness out there. It features a loop design that stops pulling by safely putting pressure on your dog’s shoulders. When they pull, the force isn’t completely transferred to you, which helps control even larger dogs. Unlike collars, the harness rests across your dog’s chest, so you don’t have to worry about them gagging or choking.
The leash attachment is placed in the front of the harness, allowing you to easily direct your dog while walking. It also helps encourage your dog to walk next to you, not in front of you.
Compared to other harnesses, this one is very easy to put on. It has quick-snap shoulder and belly straps. If you have a larger dog who tends to struggle when you’re putting the harness on, this product can be exceptionally helpful.
Plus, we like the fact that this harness is very minimalistic. You don’t have to worry about your pooch getting hot.
The Frisco Padded Nylon Dog Harness is much cheaper than other products out there, which is why we recommend it as the best no-pull dog harness for the money. It’s a very basic dog harness, but it works. The mesh chest piece features a leash ring that deters dogs from pulling. They cannot put all of their force into pulling, as it simply spins them around.
At the same time, this harness won’t strain your dog’s neck. The over-the-head design is also very easy to put on. All the straps are adjustable for the perfect fit, and there are tons of sizes available. We recommend spending some time adjusting the straps to get the perfect fit. However, after adjusting it once, you should not need to adjust it again.
This harness also has a D-ring on the back, so you can use it as a normal harness, too.
Compared to other dog harnesses, the Jespet Goopaws Easy Control Dog Harness has a bit more to it. It’s thicker with more material than most, but it does have a breathable mesh lining to prevent your pup from overheating. It’s a bit more durable than other harnesses simply because there is more of it.
We love that it features reflective webbing. Because it provides so much coverage, all of this webbing can actually help your pet gain a lot of visibility. The handle on top is great when you need to secure your dog at a moment’s notice. It’s one of our favorite features, as it’s very versatile.
The simple design is straightforward to put on. The buckles quickly snap on and off, allowing you to put it on easily. The fully adjustable straps at the chest and neck make it easy to get a perfect fit for your pooch, as well.
The biggest complaint we have is about the price of this dog harness. It’s a bit more expensive than others, but this is largely due to all the extra material.
The Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness works great by practically all reports. It’s designed to fit a dog’s body well, so it shouldn’t cause any chafing or discomfort. It’s also made of quality nylon, which helps it stand up in even bad weather conditions. The padded sleeves offer a bit of extra cushioning under the front legs, further preventing discomfort.
It’s a dog harness that works. However, it doesn’t have any reflective webbing like the others on our list, and it isn’t particularly inexpensive, either.
Many dog owners also complained of the slip-on design. It isn’t the easiest harness to actually get on your dog if they tend to struggle.
We love that the Julius-K9 Powerharness No Pull Dog Harness isn’t just a no-pull harness. It features a handle you can grab onto, allowing you to help your dog out of tight spaces or quickly get control of them. It’s great if you’re hiking or doing other outdoor activities. It’s made with a breathable mesh that’s very skin-friendly, making this one of the more allergy-free harnesses on this list.
It’s also great for nighttime, as it has a very broad, reflective chest strap. It provides a lot of visibility when it gets dark. The side labels also glow in the dark, but you can remove them if needed. This dog harness is also very durable. It’s made from quality materials and features tons of padding, providing plenty of comfort.
However, this harness is incredibly expensive. It’s triple the price of most on our list, and this added price may not actually be worth all these extra features. If you absolutely need one of the features we mentioned above, it may be worth it. Otherwise, though, you can likely save some money by choosing a different option.
OneTigris is a popular, highly-rated dog harness brand. Their no-pull dog harness, the OneTigris AIRE Nylon Mesh No Pull Dog Harness, is no different. Many dog owners absolutely love it. It has a more “tactical” feel than other dog harnesses on our list, which is the main draw. However, you’ll pay a lot for this aesthetic, as it’s quite a bit more expensive than other options.
It is made from 1000D nylon, which is about as durable as it gets. The mesh fabric works well for breathability, and it’s even quick drying in case your dog decides to take a dip. There are tons of D-rings, including one on the chest, allowing you to attach your leash in several ways.
It even comes with MOLLE panels on both sides, allowing you to add on pouches and other items. However, it doesn’t actually come with any of these pouches; you’d need to purchase them separately.
The Chai’s Choice Premium Front Clip Dog Harness is another dog harness that is more expensive than others. However, we also didn’t feel like it provided enough added benefits to make the price worth it.
To be sure, it is a solid dog harness. It’s made from quality nylon and has quick-release buckles, making it very easy to get on and off your dog. It features added aluminum fittings on the neck, providing extra strength and making the harness even more durable. It also provides two places for you to attach your leash, including one on the chest. Like many higher-end harnesses, it features reflective material for safety purposes.
The sizing is a bit challenging with this harness, and it’s something several dog owners complained about. Despite there being a sizing chart, it isn’t all that accurate, and the company doesn’t accept returns in the case that it doesn’t fit.
The PetSafe Sure-Fit Adjustable Dog Harness is designed to be exceptionally adjustable. It adjusts at five different points, allowing you to make it fit your dog as perfectly as possible. It’s exceptionally durable and features quality nylon, like many of the other options on this list.
It has two leash attachments, including one in the front for dogs who tend to pull. While it can be a no-pull harness, it’s important to understand that this isn’t its primary function. It doesn’t work quite as well as other no-pull harnesses, as the straps tend to move around.
Despite being adjustable, it can be challenging to adjust. With so many places you can change, figuring out which ones you should change can be overwhelming!
Unlike other harnesses on our list, the Kurgo Journey Air No-Pull Dog Harness is made with durable, ripstop fabric. It’s very durable and comfortable, thanks to the breathable mesh. It also features a deep neckline, preventing any strain on your dog’s neck. Some other harnesses have a very close collar that doesn’t remove much strain from your dog’s neck at all.
However, the neckline is so low that dogs can get their legs through the neck hole. Many dog owners reported their dogs escaping in this manner. The attachment points also aren’t very durable, which is another escape risk. While the ripstop fabric itself is very durable, the leash attachment points seem to rip off easily.
While it can still be a great dog harness, the Mighty Paw Padded Sports No Pull Dog Harness ended up at the bottom of our list for several reasons. Firstly, the neck loop isn’t adjustable, making it a challenge to fit on your dog. The fit tends to be poor for this reason, which can be a potential escape risk or just plain uncomfortable for your pooch.
The clasps are very hard to open—some people reported not being able to open them at all. The price is also a bit higher than we’d like, especially due to the lack of high-end features.
That said, this dog harness is much more minimalist than others out there. It has a leash ring on the front and back, so you can use it as a no-pull harness or as a regular harness. It’s also very padded, which can make it comfortable for your pooch.
Purchasing a no-pull dog harness doesn’t have to be very complicated. While many dog harnesses advertise that they have tons of features, there are only a couple that really matter in the real world. This guide will help you choose the best dog harness for your canine and hear through all the noise.
Before we get into all the features and whatnot, we highly recommend that you measure your dog. All harness sizing is different from company to company. Don’t assume that your dog is a large just because you consider them a large dog.
Having the right fit on your dog’s harness is vital. A loose harness won’t provide the proper control and may slip around everywhere. A tight one can be very uncomfortable, leading to chafing and potential fur loss. Always use the manufacturer’s sizing chart and compare it with your dog’s measurements.
You’ll probably need two people to help you measure your dog, but it is absolutely worth it!
No-pull harnesses are designed to prevent pulling, but not all of them can withstand stronger dogs. If your dog is exceptionally strong, you’ll likely need a dual-clip option. Simply put, this involves a front clip that’s designed to redirect pulling efforts and a back clip for attaching a training lead. The back clip provides some extra control when you need it.
A front-clip-only harness often works well for mild pullers. These harnesses discourage lunging by steering your dog to the side when they pull. Because pulling doesn’t get them forward, they typically learn not to pull over time.
Because we aren’t the ones wearing the leash, it can be easy to forget about comfort. However, if you want your dog to enjoy walking in the harness, getting them something comfortable is vital. Sadly, we can’t ask our dogs whether or not something is comfortable. Instead, we have to make our best guess based on the harness’s features.
Comfortable harnesses typically include extra padding, especially around the straps where chafing is common. Breathable mesh liners are important if the harness is particularly large. Smaller harnesses don’t cover as much of an area, so they may not need the liner at all.
Often, wider straps are more comfortable as they distribute the pressure more evenly.
You should also keep an eye on your dog when they’re wearing a harness. It can be hard to tell if they are comfortable or not. However, if they walk strangely or keep lying down while wearing it (or not lying down at all), it could be a sign that it’s uncomfortable.
We recommend purchasing a harness with multiple adjustment points. Even if you measure your dog well, you’ll never purchase a harness that fits perfectly right off the shelf. It’s important that you can adjust the harness to make it fit as well as it possibly can.
The fit should be snug, but no restraining. Your dog should be able to walk normally, and you should be able to fit two fingers underneath all the straps. If a harness doesn’t adjust on at least two points, consider looking elsewhere. These harnesses may not fit your dog well enough to be usable, even if you purchase the right size.
Harnesses take a lot of abuse. If your dog wears it every time they go walking, you can expect it to come up against rain, dirt, and sunlight. The sun can eat through harnesses very quickly, and moisture may make them shrink or expand.
Preferably, a harness should be made with strong, waterproof materials that will last for years. Harnesses aren’t cheap, so they aren’t something you’ll want to be buying every few months!
For the vast majority of dog owners, we highly recommend the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness. This minimalist dog harness has everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s pretty inexpensive, too, despite being one of the more durable options on this list.
If you’re on a strict budget, though, you may want to consider the Frisco Padded Nylon Dog Harness. This padded dog harness is very comfortable and inexpensive, making it a great choice for you and your pooch.
Hopefully, one of the no-pull dog harnesses on our list works for you and your pup. Walks where you don’t have to worry about pulling are much more relaxing.
Featured Image Credit: marekuliasz, Shutterstock
tweed dog collar Kristin loves to help pet parents create a fulfilling life for their pets by informing them on the latest scientific discoveries and helping them choose the best products for their pets. She currently resides in Tennessee with three cats, four dogs, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one day!