12 Best No Pull Dog Harnesses in 2023 – Front Clip Options for Yank-Free Walks

No matter what you do or how you train, some dogs are determined to pull on the leash. Sometimes, it’s due to age and immaturity. Other times, you’ve got a willful breed. Every once in a while, it’s the dog’s personality by itself. To help make walks easier, you need a better solution than gritting your teeth and bearing the constant stress.

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No Pull harnesses can transform your walk into a peaceful time of bonding with your dog. They apply pressure in just the right place to make it uncomfortable for your dog to pull on the leash without causing injury. They’re a great complement to the training you’re already doing and will help keep both you and your energetic dog healthy and happy.

We’ve put together a list of our favorite No Pull harnesses to get you started. They’re suitable for a variety of breed types and are safe to use for even the most rambunctious dog. Plus, we’ve answered some questions you may have about what to expect once you find your harness. Let’s take a look.

Different Types of Dog No Pull Harnesses

There are a few different types of No Pull harnesses. Some are more suitable for large breed dogs, and some are great for puppies. While there are one or two types that we don’t recommend because of safety issues, most are still very safe for even beginners to use.

  • Front Clip – Front clip harnesses help redirect the energy of your dog by pulling from the front. The leash clips at the chest and makes it difficult for your dog to use their center of gravity to pull you along. The downside? The leash can get tangled around your dog’s legs if you aren’t careful.
  • Back Clip – Back clip harnesses are some of the most common. They fasten the leash at your dog’s back and help keep the leash from getting tangled up in your dog’s legs. For some back clip harnesses, it may be easier for your dog to use their center of gravity to gain some power in their pulling.
  • Gentle Leaders – For very large, energetic dogs, gentle leaders apply pressure across the bridge of the nose whenever the dog begins to pull. These will require a little experience (or research) to use correctly, but they could save you if your 115-pound dog refuses to heel.
  • Prong or choke collars – We do not recommend these, not only because they aren’t harnesses, but also because unless you’re extremely experienced, you could cause long term damage to your dog. These are not suitable options for typical dog pulling, and they certainly aren’t replacements for quality training. Stay away.

What to Look for in a Good No Pull Harness

Energetic dogs need plenty of exercise, but unfortunately, they’re also exactly the type to make walking on a leash miserable. Sometimes, people don’t know how to bring their dogs to heel, and so they abandon walks altogether. This makes the problem so much worse.

Good No Pull harnesses help redirect your dog’s energy. They make it uncomfortable for your dog to use its full power to pull the leash, encouraging your dog to walk beside you with proper leash length. The construction doesn’t cause any restriction of your dog’s airways or use pain to discourage pulling.

It’s essential that your leash be completely safe without the side effect of accidental injury. While things like prong or choke collars may be used by professionals for truly aggressive dogs, the vast majority of you out there don’t have the experience to use them without terrible consequences.

No Pull harnesses should be lightweight for your small breeds and puppies and use durable materials like nylon that won’t overheat your dog or cause chafing. The ideal types have multiple adjustment points so you can get a customized fit beyond finding the general, correct size. Hardware should be rust resistant and preferably made of industrial strength metals that will last the lifetime of the harness.

Ideally, a No Pull harness not only discourages the immediate behavior but also helps discourage pulling in the long run. Your dog learns that the only way to move forward and get to experience the walk is to walk beside you without pulling. Win-win.

The Best No Pull Dog Harnesses

2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Harness

Our Hands Down Favorite

2 Hounds Design is a multi-step approach to helping your dog walk beside you on a leash without pulling. It has two attachment points, one in the back to help direct your dog securely and the other across the front to help redirect your dog’s energy.

When your dog pulls, the front loop tightens across the chest and pulls your dog to the side, discouraging forward movement. Your dog learns that if it wants to explore what’s ahead, it needs to walk at pace with you. The harness comes with a double leash just for use with this harness.

The harness uses durable nylon material weave, a lightweight option that suits many dogs and can handle some action. Hardware is tough and rust resistant. It features four adjustment points to get a great fit and comes in three sizes and multiple colors. The company will also replace up to two chewed straps for the price of shipping should your dog get a hold of the harness for some unsupervised fun.

Chai’s Choice Reflective Harness

Best for Small Dogs

Chai’s Choice is a highly reflective harness made from tough material. It offers a hand strap for extra stability and comes in sizes all the way down to an extra small. Those of you with energetic, athletic small breed dogs can rejoice. If you spend a lot of time hiking off-trail, the addition of a handle could provide extra stability over rough terrain.

It comes in a variety of colors and has multiple adjustment points. The harness attaches in the back for stability and applies gentle pressure across the legs and chest to discourage pulling and encourage good leash habits. It won’t chafe and contains extra padding to protect from injury if you have to use the handle for some reason.

Kurgo TruFit Harness

Best for Medium-Large Dogs

For bigger, more powerful dogs, this harness uses a heavy-duty chest plate to reinforce the leash point. The leash attaches in the front and uses the pressure of the chest plate to discourage pulling even in more powerful, extra large breed dogs. It includes a seatbelt attachment point to keep your dog safe on the way to your walking trail.

The rest of the harness is durable nylon. It’s breathable and comfortable for your dog as long as your dog walks beside you. Reinforced hardware won’t rust, and four different adjustment points give your dog a customized fit. It does come in a few different sizes if you’ve got a smaller, more determined dog, but we like this one particularly for large breeds.

HDP No Pull Big Dog Harness

Best for Giant Dogs

For those of you with large or extra large breeds, this heavy duty harness offers both pull protection and a handle for quick control in crowded areas. The reinforced stitching can withstand some serious power without causing pain or injury for your dog even in full on pulling mode. It’s soft enough for seniors and comes in a variety of sizes and colors.

It features extra padding designed to protect your dog with reflective stitching and heavy duty fabrics. It attaches in the back with some tough hardware. Easy to clean polyester won’t tear or stain easily and the buckles clip quickly together for fast assembly that remains secure. It could also be a great option for dogs that frequently go off-trail, allowing you to provide stability with the carry handle as well.

Sporn No Pull Mesh Harness

Best for Puppies

Puppies need care with leashes and walking because of growing bones. Sporn’s mesh harness is soft and comfortable with lightweight materials and reflective stitching for safety. It uses a back clip, but the chest piece applies gentle pressure to the chest and legs once your puppy begins to pull. It’s uncomfortable but never causes pain and never blocks the airway.

It won’t cause overheating and as long as your puppy is walking beside you with a slack leash, it’s ultra comfortable. You can throw it in the wash when your puppy goes exploring in the mud, and it’s ready for the next walk. It has multiple adjustment points to fit your puppy’s unique body type and comes in a few different sizes.

PetSafe Easy Walk Harness

Best No-Frills Harness

For basic walks, this simple harness uses a front attachment point to redirect your dog’s energy. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it does get the job done. If you don’t spend a lot of time walking each day, or you have an elderly dog that doesn’t have a lot of power behind the pulling, this could be an affordable option.

It uses lightweight nylon and a step in style that’s easy enough for beginners and won’t weigh your dog down. Its gentle design redirects with slight pressure across the chest and helps keep your dog safe on walks. It has four adjustment points and comes in a few different sizes and colors.

6 More Really Good No Pull Dog Harnesses

Rabbitgoo No Pull Harness

Rabbitgoo’s harness is padded for comfort and uses a durable nylon material for lightweight control and comfort. It fits across your dog’s chest and gives you two points of attachment. The front allows you to retrain your dog and the back gives you the freedom to readjust if your dog learns to walk beside you without incident successfully.

It features reflective straps for safety during walks at night or in low light conditions, and the hardware is reinforced to last the lifetime of the harness. It has multiple adjustment points for a customized fit and comes in several sizes. The harness is great for dogs who take their walks off-road, and it can withstand a variety of environmental conditions without causing a lot of discomfort.

Thunder Leash No Pull Chest Harness

Thunder Leash created their chest harness as a simple, but effective pulling deterrent. It uses your dog’s current collar as a part of the harness, and with a looped closure across, it applies a gentle pressure to prevent pulling. Adjustment happens naturally as you loop the belt around the chest and connect the attachment point to the collar.

This is a minimal leash great for smaller breeds who can get weighed down easily. It’s simple to use, and if your walking is confined close to your house or happens multiple times a day, it could save you some headache putting it on. It may not be appropriate for more powerful dogs, but small breed dog owners will like the minimalism.

Blueberry Pet 3M Reflective Padded Dog Harness

The Blueberry Pet 3M Reflective Padded Harness is a comfortable harness with padding in its lightweight, dual vest design. It’s reflective, so you can take your pet on walks at night or in dimly lit areas without worrying. The design of the harness helps to distribute the weight evenly to combat against the strength of the even the most aggressive pullers. The polyester seams add strength, so you can be sure that this harness will hold up against your pet and last you a long time.

Halti Dual Point Harness

Halti’s simple harness is a step in style harness with woven nylon straps and two different attachment points. The back attachment is great for smaller dogs or seniors who need a little direction but can get tangled in the leash if clipped in the front. The chest clip is there for your more persistent pullers to help redirect their energy.

It’s a very simple design with reinforced seaming and tough hardware. It’s lightweight for smaller dogs but won’t cause chafing or irritation with bigger dogs. It adjusts well across multiple points and comes in a few different sizes for a more customized fit. It only offers one color combination, but it’s highly affordable and could make a great back up harness or primary harness for your smaller or senior dog.

Copatchy No Pull Reflective Harness

The Copatchy harness is designed to apply gentle pressure across the chest to reduce the instances of pulling. It makes pulling feel uncomfortable for your dog without causing pain and never causing injury. The soft material fits across the entire back much like a vest style and the leash attachment point is reinforced.

It comes in a variety of sizes from extra small to extra large and has adjustment points for a sure, smooth fit. It comes in four different colors and also has a handle that evenly distributes your pet’s weight across the body to make it easier to pick them up with the handle for quick moves or to hold them for extra security. It’s also good for puppies who are getting used to a harness style like this one.

Kurgo Go-Tech Adventure Dog Harness With Seatbelt Loop

Kurgo’s harness offers safety both in the car and for dogs who pull or have lots of energy to burn. This model uses padding across the back to protect your dog’s spine both in the car and in uncertain terrain when you require extra stability.

It clips in the back to deter pulling and applies a gentle pressure across your dog’s chest and legs to prevent it. When you’re heading to your walking site, the harness is fully safe to use as a seatbelt clip, making your transition from car to leash really simple. It also uses a silent d-ring design so you don’t hear constant jingling.

Tips for Getting Your Dog Accustomed to Using a No Pull Harness

  1. So your dog pulls, and you’ve allowed it up to this point. Maybe your training hasn’t worked. Regardless of the reason, it’s time to get your dog used to the feeling of the No Pull harness. You can’t stop walking your dog without risking destructive behavior, but it can be intimidating to try out new gear. Here are a few tips to make sure that goes as smooth as possible.
  1. Start as soon as the problem appears – When training your dog, change to a No Pull harness as soon as you realize that your dog’s behavior is either beyond your skills or will persist even with training. You won’t be tempted to just skip walks altogether, and your dog won’t cement the idea that pulling gives it control.
  1. Be consistent – If your dog is already an adult, it can be tough to alter behavior learned much earlier. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Being consistent about the harness will help your dog adjust by learning that the good things (walking) happen when a harness is in place. Dogs are smart and will figure this out soon enough.
  1. Don’t assume the harness will solve the problem alone – Enjoying walks with your friend requires you be consistent with your training as well. Dogs need to learn expectations during the walk, as well as acceptable behavior. Training your dog in addition to using a No Pull harness could help your dog obey more consistently.
  1. Make sure you understand the harness – The No Pull harness types work only when they’re adequately adjusted and attached correctly. If you’re a beginner, you should do your research and read the directions for your harness to get the correct attachment every time. Practice in your house a few times with the leash attached before you try the harness outside.
  1. Choose a lightweight harness – That means different things to different dogs. If your dog weighs just 15 pounds, a lightweight harness is very different than a dog that’s 115. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
  1. Don’t resort to choke collars or prong collars – Again, unless you’re a seasoned professional who rescues dogs that are a threat to others, these are overkill. They’re dangerous, painful, and won’t help.
  1. Reward good behavior. – Sometimes when we’re training, we focus on bad behavior exclusively. This method can give your dog some reservations about being around the harness in the first place. Instead, reward the behavior you’d like to see. Offer treats and praise for your dog going near the harness, stepping into the harness, and for walking beside you. That way, your dog associates it with good things.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I choose the right size? You can’t depend on the weight of your dog to get the right fit. You need to measure your pet’s neck, chest girth, and length to find the right size. Make sure you read the sizing guide for your chosen harness, and if your dog falls in between sizes, go one size up and use the adjustment points to make up the difference.
  • How do I choose the right size for a puppy? Measure the same three areas even for your puppy, and choose a harness with plenty of adjustment points. As your puppy grows, you can adjust the sizing and fit of the harness to accommodate the changes. Make sure it’s lightweight and easily fastened so that your puppy is always secure.
  • How will I know if the harness fits correctly? – You should be able to get two fingers in between the harness and your dog’s skin without freely wiggling. If you can fit more than two fingers easily, it’s way too big. If you have trouble fitting any fingers at all without causing your dog discomfort, the harness is too small. It should fit well enough to prevent slipping out but not so tight that it causes chafing or trouble breathing.
  • What type of breed does best with a No Pull harness? – Although small breeds can certainly benefit from leash encouragement, large breeds see the most benefit. It can be tough to control the full weight of your dog because its center of gravity can easily pull you off yours. Using a collar can damage the airway, but a harness gently applies pressure in safe areas to make pulling uncomfortable or annoying without causing harm. It could be the difference between never walking your large breed and knowing that you’ve always got control.
  • Who should use a No Pull harness? – If your training is going well, but your dog just can’t seem to resist chasing that squirrel, it could be time to add in a harness. Harnesses will never solve the problem alone, but as part of a training regimen, they can add an extra layer of control that makes your walk more pleasant. For particularly aggressive dogs, adding a handle could also help, but start with training first.

Final Thoughts

Using a No Pull harness is a great way to complement your training and ensure you always enjoy your walks with your companion. They’re easy to use and come in a variety of types that are suitable for both beginners and experienced dog handlers. You don’t have to sacrifice walks with your dog anymore. Use the No Pull method to bring your dog around.

They’re safe, and the ones on our list are highly durable. There should be one meant precisely for you and your dog, so be sure to try one of the ones on our list and get back out there again. Your rambunctious, energetic dog will thank you.

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