The 5 Best Dog Harnesses for Safer Walks and Happier Pups

Good dog harnesses make your life easier, but the best dog harnesses are the ones your dog loves and wears proudly. When it comes to choosing the best dog harness for your pup, consider size, life stage, material and, of course, whether or not you want to color coordinate with each other. We’ve listed the best dog harnesses on the market below to get you started.

Walking dogs by hooking leashes to collars is fine, but it doesn’t work for all canines. Dogs who pull, are in the midst of training (aka puppies or rescues who never learned basic commands) or are reactive should definitely wear harnesses. Why? Because the right harness discourages pulling and gives the walker greater control. Think: Less jumping up on strangers. Plus, harnesses prevent your dog from experiencing neck strain.

Collars are still great options for dogs who know how to walk calmly, aren’t reactive or would otherwise be at a disadvantage in a harness (think: toy breeds who can easily escape harnesses or dogs with sensitive skin conditions). Even so, there’s probably a harness out there for every dog.

One note on collars: It’s widely accepted that choke collars or prong collars are cruel and don’t work well when it comes to training. Rather than inflicting harm or discomfort when your dog doesn’t follow commands, try positive reinforcement training by rewarding good behavior. The results will speak for themselves.

Harnesses can usually be separated into one of two categories: body harnesses and front-clip harnesses. According to Simpawtico Dog Training, body harnesses tend to be easier on a dog’s body because they evenly distribute leash tension throughout the harness. On the other hand, a collar provides only one spot for all the tension to go—and it’s directly on your dog’s throat. Body harnesses often have leash clips on the back. Body harnesses work well for training but can backfire once your big dog breed becomes a full adult; if you don’t train them not to pull you, a body harness will make it easy for them to drag you where they want to go.

Front-clip harnesses are exactly what they sound like. They allow you to clip the leash onto the front of the harness. This is ideal for dogs who pull or jump as it redirects their movement, thus reducing the desire to pull or jump. However, don’t rely solely on a front-clip harness to teach your dog what not to do on a walk. That’s your job! The harness is simply meant to help.

As with all doggy accessories, harnesses should fit your dog’s size. They shouldn’t be able to wriggle out of it, but it also shouldn’t be so tight they can’t breathe, move or play freely. This is especially important for Brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs and Boxers.

Always consider your dog’s specific personality and behavior. Are there habits you need to break or health issues you need to consider? When in doubt, check with your vet or a licensed trainer.

• Best for Versatility: Maxbone Easy Fit Harness
• Best Kit: Wild One Harness Walk Kit
• Best for Small Breeds: Frisco Soft Vest Back Clip Dog Harness
• Best for Large Breeds: WINSEE No Pull Dog Harness
• Best Front Clip: PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness