The Best Dog Harnesses Guide For 2018

There are many different types, but the best–rated dog harnesses wrap around a
canine’s chest and over one or more places to attach a lead, or leash. It’s a little like wearing a parachute instead of a noose – rather than putting all of the pressure on the neck the way collars do, harnesses spread the force out to reduce its impact.

When a dog tries to move too far against the lead, the harness stops them in their tracks. The best–selling harnesses have at least two connection points for the lead – this discourages a dog‘s opposition response and prevents them from pulling.

How Do Dog Harnesses Work?

There are several major benefits to using harnesses.

First, and perhaps most importantly, it removes pressure from the neck. Collars often restrict oxygen from reaching your dog‘s brain, which can cause physical harm (including on the eyes), increase their anxiety, and reduce their cognitive functions. Harnesses are particularly helpful for dogs with a collapsed trachea and dogs with neck problems. An aging dog can also benefit from a harness.

All good harnesses are “no choke” models, which means they never tighten around the neck. There are a few more specific advantages worth mentioning.

Improves Communication

Rather than merely tugging to ‘stop,’ you can reinforce verbal commands and tell them what you want them to do, rather than what you don’t want. This helps encourage no pull behaviour.

Improves Comfort

If a dog wasn’t raised with a harness, they might be bothered at first, but distributing pressure across less-sensitive body areas is considerably more comfortable for a dog than having all of the pressure around their neck.

Improves Positioning

This is especially true with harnesses that o!er two points to connect a lead since they encourage dogs to walk beside you rather than out front. Since the dog isn’t leading, they’re much less likely to dart out at everything that catches their interest.

What Should I Look for In A Dog Harness?

There are several important things to check for when deciding on a harness.

Size

If the harness doesn’t fit, it’s useless. Most harnesses are sized both around the neck and around the chest, so you’ll need to measure your dog to see which fits. If they’re between two sizes (as there’s often some overlap), err on the side of caution and get the bigger size.

Points of Adjustment

A good harness has at least two points to attach your lead. Some harnesses come with 5 or more places to attach the front lead, and more points are better. The front clip is the most common choice.

Buckle Type

Plastic buckles are ideal for casual walks and calm canines. Metal buckles are better for energetic companions. Note that plastic buckles have been known to get caught in fur, while metal largely avoids this problem. If you’re not sure which type of buckle to get, go for metal.

Style

Harnesses come in two major styles. The first is a “Step in Harness,” which requires your dog to get inside it. “Over-head harnesses,” in contrast, slide over their heads and are secured in the back. Overhead harnesses tend to be more padded and have more places to adjust sizing…

Material

Most harnesses are made of products like polyester or nylon. Leather harnesses are rare, but not unknown. This is partly for safety and partly for strength since leather can be chewed through more
easily than most fabrics.

Finally, aside from all of those details, you should look for a harness from a reputable brand. The last thing you want is for the harness to break when you need it most, especially if you’re trying to control a large dog

How Do Dog Harnesses Work?

There are several major benefits to using harnesses.

Putting an over-head harness on your dog is easy once you get used to it. Start by making sure the harness is nice and loose in every area so you can easily slip it on. Once you’re ready, follow these instructions:

Slide the harness over your dog‘s head, making sure the neck and chest straps are in the right places. When the harness is loose, it can be hard to tell which is which, so pay close attention as you’re putting it on.
Move the chest piece up, so it touches your dog‘s belly and chest areas. Most over-head harnesses have two buckles here (one on either side) that you should bring up and attach to the back of the harness.
Adjust the sides of your harness so it fits snugly. It’s usually recommended to tighten the harness until you can fit two fingers (no more, no less) between your companion and the harness.
Adjust the neck of the harness to the same snugness.

Product Reviews

Now that we know a little more about harnesses, let’s look at some of the best products currently on the market.

Rnker Double Layer Harness for Pet Puppy

As the “puppy” in the name implies, this soft mesh harness from Rnker is an excellent choice for any canines who are still growing. Unless your dog is going to stay small, it’s not a good long-term choice – but it’s a great choice for helping them get used to harnesses while they’re growing up.

Pros

Excellent for puppies and small dogs
Designed with canine comfort in mind
Available in four sizes
Machine washable
Thick material

Cons

No option for large, powerful dogs
Plastic buckles aren’t as good as metal ones
Velcro can come undone

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CoolPets Dog Harness Leash Collar Set

This harness is made of 0.59-inch thick nylon, which is sturdy enough to harness larger breeds without quickly wearing out. The set itself is available in three sizes, from a minimum chest girth of 15.7″ with the small harness to a maximum of 38.6″ with the largest model. A leash is included in the package.

Pros

Highly durable metal and nylon
components
Comes with a leash
Reflective bars improve visibility at
night
Comes with a 2-year warranty
Easy to adjust

Cons

No option for the smallest dogs
Only one place to properly attach
lead
Limited choice of colors

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Noxgear Lighthound LED (Illuminated) Harness

This is something unusual for dog harnesses – a product with LED Fiber Optics that can actively illuminate your dog at night. That’s a serious plus if you usually go for walks when there isn’t much light, and the harness allows for USB charging so you don’t even have to worry about bringing extra batteries.

Pros

Electronic illumination
Machine washable
Long battery life
USB rechargeable
Easy to put on and remove

Cons

Plastic buckles
More of a vest than a harness
Does not come with a leash
Does not come with a power block

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Paw Five CORE-1 Reflective Dog Harness

Paw Five’s CORE-1 is an over-head harness designed for dogs of 24-42 inches. I was particularly impressed with the overall design of this product since it includes many features other harnesses lack.

Pros

Durable and well-sewn
Designed with comfort in mind
Holds waste bags
Adjustable and fits well on most breeds

Cons

Not available for the smallest dogs
Plastic buckles
Hard to use all of its features with
particularly active dogs
Limited color options (Red, Green, Blue)

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Petjoy-Wiredog Service Dog Harness Vest

Service dog harnesses are designed di!erently from most other harnesses. Rather than just wrapping the neck and chest, they also have to display text on multiple sides so the dog can be easily identified as a service animal.