Two Dog Harness Types I Avoid
Most dog owners choose the wrong harness without realising.
That is not a criticism. It is usually just a reflection of what is popular, what is sold in shops, or what gets recommended without much thought about how the design affects the dog.
Some harnesses look sturdy. Some look clever. Some are marketed as helping with pulling. But not all dog harnesses are designed with a dog’s comfort, movement, or learning in mind.
In this article, I’ll explain two dog harness types I avoid, why I avoid them, and what I recommend instead.
Why Harness Choice Matters
When people think about choosing a dog harness, they often focus on control. Will it stop pulling? Will it stop the dog slipping out? Will it feel secure?
Those things matter, but so does movement.
A dog’s front end needs to move freely for comfortable, natural walking. If a harness sits in the wrong place, it can affect stride, shoulder reach, and overall comfort. That is why I always look at how a harness is shaped, not just whether it looks practical.
Dogs Trust also notes that harnesses can help reduce the risk of neck injury, but they are very clear that dogs still need to be taught to walk nicely on a lead. That is an important point. Equipment should support training, not replace it.
If you want a deeper look at the myth that harnesses somehow create pulling, read Harnesses Teach Dogs to Pull?.
Dog Harness Type 1: Harnesses With a Strap Across the Shoulders
The first type I avoid is the harness with a straight strap running across the front of the shoulders.
This style is extremely common. It is popular, widely available, and often recommended simply because people do not realise there is a better option.
The problem is where that front strap sits.
Dogs move their front legs forward with every step they take. So if a harness strap sits right across the shoulder area, it can limit how freely that movement happens. Even if the dog still walks, that does not automatically mean the design is ideal.
This is why I prefer a harness shape that keeps the shoulders clearer and allows the dog to move more naturally.
I’ve written more specifically about this design here: Why I Avoid Horizontal Strap Dog Harnesses.
Another issue with some of these styles is that they can be surprisingly easy for dogs to back out of, especially if the fit is not great or the dog panics and reverses sharply. That can turn into a safety issue very quickly.
Dog Harness Type 2: Tightening “No-Pull” Harnesses
The other harness I avoid is the tightening “no-pull” harness.
These are often marketed as a simple answer for dogs that pull. But the way they work is by tightening around the dog’s body when tension goes onto the lead.
So rather than teaching loose lead walking, they work by adding pressure or discomfort when the dog pulls.
That is the bit I am not comfortable with.
Yes, they may reduce pulling in the moment. But that is not the same as teaching the dog how to walk nicely beside you. It is just making the wrong choice feel less comfortable.
That is why I would much rather teach the dog the skill of loose lead walking properly, instead of relying on equipment that works through discomfort.
If you want to build that skill, start here: training loose lead walking properly.
You may also find this useful if you’ve been told a front clip or back clip is a magic fix: Loose Lead Walking: How Front & Back Clip Harnesses Are Misused.
What I Recommend Instead
Personally, I prefer a Y-front harness.
With a Y-front design, the straps run down the chest rather than straight across the front of the shoulders. That generally allows much better freedom of movement.
I also want the chest strap sitting behind the elbows, not rubbing up into the armpits, and I do not want the harness tightening when the dog pulls.
Two options I really like are the Ruffwear Front Range Harness and the lighter Ruffwear Hi & Light Harness.
If your dog is an awkward shape, deep chested, or hard to fit, the right harness fit matters just as much as the design. That is one reason I also like adjustable options and why fit should always be checked on the individual dog.
And if you are still introducing a harness, or your dog is worried about having one put on, this is worth a read too: The Easy Way to Harness a Puppy.
A Harness Is Not a Training Plan
Even the best dog harness will not teach your dog to walk nicely on a lead.
That part still comes down to training, reinforcement, and practice.
A comfortable, well-fitted harness can absolutely help by reducing unnecessary discomfort and giving you a better setup to work from. But it is not the thing doing the teaching. You are.
That is why I like pairing a good harness with sensible handling and the right lead setup.
If you want to browse the equipment I recommend, see: Training Aids.
Two items many owners find useful alongside a harness are the Halti Training Lead and a properly fitted Halti Padded Collar.
And while we are on the subject of safe walking equipment, do not forget visible ID. A harness is not a substitute for proper identification. I always recommend a correctly fitted collar with a tag as well, and I personally like this silicone ID tag.
You can read more about that here: Don’t Lose Your Dog, Do Use ID Tags and How to Fit a Dog Collar Correctly.
If you have not already, I would also strongly recommend reading Collars Can Be Deadly, especially when thinking about when collars should and should not be worn.
FAQ
What type of dog harness is best?
In general, I prefer a Y-front harness that leaves the shoulders free to move and does not tighten when the dog pulls. The best harness is also one that fits the individual dog properly and does not rub.
Are no-pull harnesses bad for dogs?
Tightening no-pull harnesses work by applying pressure when the dog pulls. They may reduce pulling in the moment, but they do not teach loose lead walking and can rely on discomfort rather than training.
Do harnesses with a front strap across the shoulders restrict movement?
They can. A strap sitting across the shoulder area may interfere with the dog’s natural forward reach, which is why I prefer harnesses that keep that area clearer.
Do harnesses teach dogs to pull?
No. Dogs pull because the environment is rewarding and because they have not yet learned the skill of loose lead walking. A harness does not teach the behaviour. Training does.
Can I put my dog’s ID tag on a harness instead of a collar?
I would not rely on that. Harnesses can be removed or slipped out of. A correctly fitted collar with visible ID is the safer option for identification.
Related Articles:
