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Walking a dog who pulls on leash can be a frustrating experience. Thankfully, one of the best no-pull dog harnesses can help you train your pup to walk well on a leash. These harnesses that are designed to prevent pulling make outings safer and more enjoyable for you and your dog. Matching Dog And Owner Shirts
To pick the best no-pull harnesses, we consulted with veterinarians, dog trainers, and professional dog walkers who shared insights that helped inform our recommendations. We then tested 15 popular anti-pull harnesses with over two dozen small, medium, and large rescue dogs to see which harnesses helped stop leash pulling. Our top pick is the Blue-9 Balance Harness, which is a highly adjustable harness that significantly reduces pulling. If you're looking for a budget option, we like the Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness. This is a durable harness that's around $30.
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Best overall: Blue-9 Balance Harness - See at Amazon The Balance Harness significantly reduces pulling without impeding a dog's movement, sagging, or twisting.
Best budget: Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness - See at Chewy The 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness is a durable, no-pull harness with a price that won't break the bank.
Best for small dogs: Wild One Harness - See at Chewy The Wild One Harness is sized well for small dogs and has extra padding to prevent chafing.
Best padded: Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness - See at Amazon The Front Range is a comfortable harness for active dogs that will hold up to years of use.
Best with handle: PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness - See at Amazon This no-pull harness has a wide handle at the base and impressive safety features like a locking buckle and reflective strips along the side.
Available sizes: 5 sizes for chests from 13.5 to 43.5 inches
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
Among the best no-pull dog harnesses, the Blue-9 Balance Harness is a favorite among dog walkers and trainers, including Nicole Ellis, a professional dog trainer and owner of Tails With Nicole. 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 we used the harness with a leash attached to the front D-ring.
Unlike the popular Easy Walk Harness, the Balance Harness's Y-neck design doesn't cross the dog's shoulders or pinch under the armpits. "It is great for daily performance, and it doesn't interfere with the dog's shoulder movement," says Robyn Socarro, a professional dog trainer. Like the other harnesses in this guide, you can also attach the leash to the back of the harness for dogs that don't pull.
If you've had trouble finding a harness that fits, this is an excellent option. The harness has six places to adjust for wide necks, barrel chests, chunky bellies, and 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, and it's still in great shape.
Read our full review of Blue-9 Balance Harness.
Pros: Five points of adjustment for a 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 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. At around $30, it's also a good starting point if you have a smaller budget.
Shelter volunteer Beth DiMeccio tested this harness on shelter dogs at Family Dog Rescue in San Francisco and was impressed with how well it worked for serious pullers. "There's little chance a dog can wriggle out of this harness, which is a big concern with shelter dogs," she says.
The Y-shaped nylon 3-in-1 does not restrict a dog's movement. It has five different adjustment points to allow for a comfortable and snug fit, and with a buckle at the neck, you don't need to pull it over a dog's head. The light neoprene padding and reflective stitching are a nice touch.
With 1-inch wide straps, this harness is heavier than similar styles and creates too much bulk for smaller dogs. The wider straps help prevent chafing, but the plastic clasps do not have any padding, which may cause discomfort with all-day wear. Petsafe recommends hand-washing the 3-in-1, so it may be 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 seat belt if you'd like to limit your dog's movement in the car. However, the harness has not been crash-tested and may not protect your dog in a crash.
Pros: Extra padding to prevent chafing, resistant to damage, handle
Cons: Higher price, some shifting, dye may bleed with some colors
Pulling is mostly associated with large dogs, but smaller dogs can also tug hard on a leash. And like with their larger counterparts, a no-pull dog harness can help lessen pulling. Of the three harnesses we tested with small dogs, the Wild One Harness performed the best. When the leash was attached to the front D-ring, the harness redirected our small dog each time he attempted to pull.
The snug fit we achieved kept the harness secure on our 12-pound terrier mix, and it didn't budge when he lunged. We got the correct fit with three easy-to-use adjustment points, each connected to a buckle (one at the neck and two at the back). The three buckles could be secured without lifting the harness over the dog's head — Ellis says this is a bonus feature for dogs who don't like having anything placed over or around their head.
No matter how snug the harness was after adjusting the fit, our dog didn't experience any chafing thanks to extra padding around high-friction points, particularly the armpits. A layer of stretchy polyester covers the interior of the harness. While this reduced the possibility of discomfort and chafing, it sometimes caused the harness to shift on our dog, even after we adjusted the straps to get a perfect fit.
On its website, Wild One cautions that some richer colors may bleed onto lighter-colored dogs. To prevent this, it recommends handwashing the harness before using it. We washed the harness ourselves and found it dried quickly.
Pros: Padded, wide straps that won't 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 don't touch any part of a dog's body.
"The padding is nice because it doesn't rub on my thin-coated dog," says Scarlett Cermak, a professional dog trainer and 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 doesn't reduce pulling as well as the other best no-pull dog harnesses we recommend. Although it is normal for a front-clip harness to move when your dog pulls, this harness twists more than our other top picks, causing it to shift to the side with consistent pulling. If you have a barrel-chested dog, the Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness has a similar design that may be effective. However, the straps require frequent tightening as they loosen too easily.
After seven years, this is the only intact harness my dog still wears from his younger days. The harness has reflective stitching for nighttime visibility, and the polyester shell fabric is highly durable. Although the brand recommends hand-washing the harness, I've put it in the washer and dryer numerous times. It's still in good condition, but the edges are slightly curled.
Pros: Handle and locking buckle, wide selection of colors, reflective
Cons: No warranty, tricky to clip on, may cause chafing in thin-coated dogs
The PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness is our favorite no-pull harness with a handle. The versatile harness has a variety of features that make it easier to walk a puller, including an essential D-ring at the front to prevent pulling, a handle on the back, reflective strips, and a locking buckle at the neck.
The wide handle that runs horizontally across the back of the harness was especially helpful when we needed to grab our lunging dog quickly. Our tester dog has a habit of rolling in burrs during forest walks, and we regularly used the handle to pull her away from spiky plants. Beyond burrs, it can be tough to see our dog when hiking in the forest since her black coat blends in with the surrounding trees during evening walks. The reflective strips on this harness are a fantastic safety feature that makes it easy for other hikers, dogs, and even people in cars to see her at any time of day.
The harness also has an excellent safety feature for dogs prone to bolting: a locking buckle on the neck strap. When the lock is engaged, the buckle can't be unlatched. This feature kept our jumpy dog secured in the harness even when she was startled by a charging dog and attempted to back out of the harness.
While the three separate attachment points mean you don't have to place the harness over your dog's head, this design can make it confusing to put it on at first. Another downside is the harness's lack of padding. The underside is reinforced with a webbed mesh material, which helps the harness move with the dog, but it doesn't protect against chafing. We recommend a more heavily padded harness for dogs with thinner coats.
The following considerations will help you find the best harness to prevent your dog from pulling on leash.
Design: A dog harness should not impede or restrict movement. Look for one that doesn't sag, and ensure the straps don't lay over the dog's front legs and shoulders. Y-shaped, rather than T-shaped, no-pull harnesses are less likely to restrict movement. Leash attachments on the front and back of the harness are also more versatile.
Ellis says that regardless of the style of harness you choose, you need a good fit. If you can fit two fingers comfortably under the harness without being able to tug the harness forward, the harness will likely be comfortable and secure on your dog.
Ease of use: There's less room for error if a harness is easy to put on and remove. A harness with more adjustment points will help you get the best fit for your dog.
Padding: Extra padding provides comfort and reduces chafing and rubbing, which is particularly important for dogs that pull.
Machine washable: A harness that's easy to wash will keep odors at bay and look as good as new for years to come.
Warranty: No-pull harnesses are a bit pricey. If there are manufacturing defects, the ability to return the harness or get a replacement is a big bonus.
We considered the most popular no-pull dog harnesses and collected opinions from professional dog walkers and trainers already using them. We also consulted veterinarians and canine behaviorists, including Dr. Lillian Baker, veterinarian and owner of Baker's Mobile Veterinary Services in Texas; Anne Carter, an expert in canine behavior and welfare and a senior lecturer in veterinary and animal sciences at Scotland's Rural College; Dr. Carlo Siracusa, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and associate professor of clinical behavior medicine at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine; and Dr. Chris Zink, a veterinarian specializing in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation.
For eight weeks, three shelter staff members and two volunteer shelter walkers tested the harnesses on walks with more than two dozen rescue dogs at Family Dog Rescue in San Francisco. The dogs were all medium and large-size (over 50 pounds) and chosen because they were difficult to walk due to over-excitability, lack of training, or reactivity. Dogs were walked with the tester harnesses for 30 to 60 minutes on city streets and in local parks. We also tested the small dog and handle harnesses with our reporters' two rescue dogs who were walked for a minimum of 30 minutes on city streets and in local parks
Unmanageable leash pulling is typically a problem for dog owners with larger dogs, so we tested most of the harnesses with dogs over 25 pounds. However, for our small dog category, we tested harnesses with a 12-pound terrier mix. Many small dogs strain while on leash, but most walkers do not struggle with being pulled off their feet by these dogs.
We also did not test head halters, as most dogs initially find them uncomfortable and will resist wearing them. The no-pull harnesses in this guide are a better choice for anyone looking for the least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) approach to dog training and behavior modification. If you'd like to learn more about head halters, read about them in our guide to the best dog harnesses.
We rated the best no-pull dog harnesses according to the following criteria:
We recommend a front-clip no-pull harness when training a dog to walk on a leash without pulling. It removes dangerous pressure from a dog's neck while reducing its ability to pull.
Yes. The best no-pull dog harnesses are well-designed and reduce pressure on a dog's joints and neck when they pull.
Even the best dog collars should not be used for restraining or controlling your dog because they can cause tension and stress on the dog's neck. "Dogs that pull on leash are at an increased risk of choking," says veterinarian Baker. She explains that tracheal collapse is another potential consequence. A 2020 study using canine neck models with pressure sensors confirmed the danger, concluding that all types of dog collars have the potential to cause harm to a dog's neck. A flat neck collar's only purpose is for attaching one of the best dog ID tags or for decoration. A body harness is a much safer and more effective way of walking a dog that pulls.
Front-clip no-pull dog harnesses discourage pulling by pivoting the dog toward you whenever the leash is taut. No-pull harnesses come in two basic designs: A Y-shaped chest strap or a strap that lays horizontally across the chest. Y-shaped harnesses better allow for total freedom of movement. "Any product that forms a Y shape around the dog's neck and under the chest is non-restrictive," says Zink.
"Dogs may pull on a leash due to hypersensitivity to all that is going on around them as well as a lack of proper leash training as a puppy," says Baker. No dog is born innately understanding how to walk on a leash. They pull because they naturally walk faster than we do and want to get to the park, greet another dog, or sniff something interesting. Typically they continue to pull because they've discovered that, when they do, they get to move forward.
Finding the best harness for your dog is like choosing the perfect running sneakers: Fit is crucial. There's nothing scarier than your dog wriggling or backing out of a loose-fitting harness. An ill-fitting harness will also be uncomfortable, and if it is too tight, it can cause chafing. Sagging harnesses can impede a dog's full range of shoulder or leg movement. A well-fitting harness should be snug but not too tight, with enough room to fit two to three fingers under all the straps. Check the sizing charts and read the instructions for measuring your dog. When buying online, measure carefully and check the return policy before ordering.
Front-clip no-pull harnesses are not a magic bullet that will instantly stop your dog from pulling, but they are a management tool. The best way to stop your dog from pulling is to train loose leash walking using positive reinforcement with one of the best dog leashes and some of the best dog training treats. If your dog is a veteran puller, no humane piece of equipment will teach them to stop pulling, but a good harness will help you manage and control your dog while teaching them leash manners. If you keep walking whenever your dog pulls, you are not only missing out on the chance to train loose leash walking, but you are also reinforcing pulling.
Baker prefers a standard 4- to 6-foot-long leather leash for dog walking. She recommends avoiding retractable leashes, which present a variety of safety concerns for both dogs and their walkers. Many of the best cute dog leashes can be used for a dog who pulls.
We only considered no-pull equipment that does not cause pain or discomfort for a dog. Prong, choke, and shock collars are all designed to punish a dog by inflicting pain around the neck whenever they pull. Prong collars and choke chains can also cause damage to a dog's neck. "As a general rule, I don't like anything that puts too much pressure on the neck," says Siracusa. "Definitely no prong or shock collars. Even a martingale-type collar, which I do like, will not prevent the dog from pulling [and] will apply pressure on the neck."
Head halters are a humane alternative to body harnesses. Baker recommends their use on dogs that pull. "If you lead the head, the body follows," she explains. Head halters may not be appropriate for every dog. Siracusa says that using a head halter can result in whiplash or neck or spine pain if your pup is easily over-aroused or highly reactive on leash.
There is no such thing as a chew-proof harness. A chewed-up harness is not a manufacturer defect or the result of poor design or materials. A determined dog or teething puppy can destroy a brand-new harness in less than 30 seconds, so take the harness off them when unsupervised. Be sure to remove a harness to prevent injury when dogs roughhouse, as teeth and limbs can get entangled.
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