Dogwalker dishes on the Top 3 dog harnesses

Dog Harnesses that Prevent Pulling

We see a lot of harnesses, leashes, collars and gismos that people spend lots of money on and they often don't help with pups constantly pulling on the leash.  The worst part of this scenario... the less fun a walk is for the owner, the less likely they will take their pups on long walks.  If your pup doesn't get enough exercise, they will pull even harder when they do get out.  You can see the downward spiral coming.  The #1 full proof way to curb pulling is to leash train your pup.  See our blog about the best trainers in town.  

Second best option to help with pulling, an Easy Walk Harness from Premier Pet Products.  I had one client buy a generic version of the Easy Walk harness and it wasn't the same.  Pay the money for the real thing.  They also have this policy about replacing harnesses if your dog chews through them, just send in the remaining bits and for $5 they will send a new replacement.  Pretty cool.  Check out the video on how it works...

Dog Harnesses for Safety and Comfort

For super small pups or pups with heads smaller than their necks, I love the Puppia Mesh Harnesses.  Sometimes collars can slip off but a dog and his walker would have to work really hard to get them out of a well fitted harness.  Sometimes you don't want to have a lot of pressure on a dogs neck so a harness is a great option.  Plus they come in a million colors and are easy on and off (over the head, one paw in the loop and snap).  They also don't tend to get tangled like nylon strap harnesses.  It's really clear how they go on and off.  Remember you are going to be putting this thing on and off a million times over the life of your pup (or it just feels that way).  I don't love the step in harnesses for little dogs.  I call them bra harnesses, you'll know why when you see one.  You have to line up two moving paws with the static loops that make the harness and then snap them where the leash attaches and they often have two D rings back there too.  Keep it easy, get one that looks like this.

Dog Harnesses for Adventures

Great for adrenaline junkies with dogs that can run for days.  Ruffwear makes a ton of great outdoor gear for your dogs...packs, booties, climbing gear, life jackets you name it!  Amazballs!  Here's their description of their adventure harness Omnijore....

The Omnijore™ Joring System is designed for any dog-pulling activity such as skijoring, mountainboard-joring, skatejoring, bikejoring, or canicross. Enjoy joring all year long in any climate conditions. 

My old dog probably would suggest that I wear the harness and she get pulled along but that's a subject for another day.  So get out there with your dog.  A tired dog is a happy dog.  Let me know what works for you.