HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST DOG HARNESS, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

From no-pull dog harnesses to the best harnesses for small dogs and ones designed with ID tags in mind, find the best one for your dog (and for you).

For some, one of the best parts of having a dog — aside from puppy eyes and endless enthusiasm — is taking them for walks. It’s good for your body, too. According to a study from BioMedCentral’s Public Health Journal, dog owners walk on average 22 minutes longer each day than non-dog owners, logging nearly 2,800 more steps. If you fall into that camp, congratulations. If you’re using a traditional leash to walk your dog, you might want to reconsider. The pressure leashes exert on dog collars might be harmful for them. The most popular alternative — a harness — is much safer and has other benefits, to boot.

“I always prefer harnesses,” says Natalie Marks, DVM, the medical director at Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago. She’s talking about full body carriages that fit dogs like a vest might, the leash then connecting to one point on them and reducing the harms of pulling back on it. “They limit pull and pressure on their windpipe, and disperse that pull across the front of their body in an even distribution.”

How to find the best harness for your doggo?

There are lots of options for dog harnesses out there, though there are two main styles to choose from:

1. Back clip harnesses clip at the top, over your dog’s back.
2. Front clip harnesses clip at the chest.

Depending on your dog’s size, training, and demeanor, one of the styles may be a better option than the other. For example, moving to a harness might change the way you walk your dog, so there may be an adjustment period — which is especially true for front-clip harnesses. The leash can get under your pooch’s paw, says Khara Schuetzner, a member and board chairwoman of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers. “Some dogs are aggravated by that,” she notes.

While harnesses are suitable for all sizes and breeds, for example, they can provide better control over larger dogs (or especially strong ones). On the other hand, choose one that’s proportionate to their size. It’s not necessary to have a thick, heavy-duty harness for a chihuahua, Schuetzner said, who believes a harness isn’t necessarily the best solution for everyone — the choice between a harness and collar-leash is a matter of personal preference and what works for your lifestyle.

Finally, ask your vet or trainer for a bit of help fitting your dog with the best harness for it (and for you). “A poorly fitted harness can only be painful, cause skin abrasions, and can create a negative association with the harness itself and walking in general.

Check how it’s fit regularly. Here’s how: You should be able to get two of your fingers between your dog and the harness, says Schuetzner. Finally, find a harness that’s machine-washable for better canine hygiene.

Best dog harnesses to shop

Marks encourages clients who are transitioning to a harness to choose one that locks in the front across the chest. These are better for dogs still leash-training or those that tend to pull, as the front clip allows owners to “steer” the dog, she explains.