It’s every dog owner’s nightmare. The dog panics, squirms on the leash or in the harness and manages to free itself. He runs headlong into the street, a car can no longer brake.
When I think of such scenarios, I feel completely different. So that the nightmare doesn’t become reality, I was looking for a way that would give me and my dog more security.
Today I present you the result of my research: an escape-proof dog harness. In addition to a product test, in which I also go into the advantages and disadvantages of the respective harnesses, I will also explain to you what is important when making a purchase. So you are well prepared for all situations.
My escape-proof dog harness favorites
My top 3 escape proof harnesses for dogs
Ruffwear Dog Harness
The Ruffwear dog harness is a very robust harness that gives your dog safety at all times. In addition to everyday use, it is also suitable for outdoor activities in rough terrain. You can always keep your dog safe when hiking and climbing as well as when crossing dangerous obstacles. With this harness it is impossible for your dog to free himself or slip out with an awkward movement.
It is particularly important that the additional straps and safety mechanisms do not restrict your four-legged friend’s freedom of movement, so that your darling feels comfortable at all times. With the dog harness from Ruffwear, this requirement is met by adjustable straps on the stomach, shoulders and chest. You can use these straps to adapt the harness to each dog individually.
The harness is made of nylon, a very strong and breathable yet lightweight material. The straps were attached in a similar way to mountaineering equipment. This guarantees a very strong hold. The material is also very easy to care for, it can simply be hand washed with mild detergent and then air dried.
Putting it on and taking it off is also very easy and therefore not a problem even for impatient, wriggling dogs. The leash can be hooked into an aluminum V-ring while running. Alternatively, there is also a fabric flap further forward on the back.
On uneven terrain, you can easily pick up and carry your dog with the handle on the harness. This is also useful for dogs in convalescence who are only allowed to use their musculoskeletal system again gradually. The load weight can be optimally controlled with the handle.
Integrated reflectors and the option of attaching a safety light to the harness ensure safety in the dark.
Dociote dog harness
This escape-proof harness features a no-pull design. This reduces the strain on the neck with wide chest and back parts and distributes the pull on the leash over the whole body. So you don’t have to worry about your dog not getting enough air when he pulls on the leash.
Due to its comfortable fit and high level of safety, the harness from Dociote is also recommended for travel.
The harness is made of high-quality Oxford material, which is very robust and easy to care for. It can be washed both by hand and by machine.
Individually adjustable straps make it easier to put on and take off and ensure a perfect fit. The leash can be hooked into two D-rings either on the chest or on the back.
Reflective strips on the chest part of the Dociote dog harness ensure extra safety even in the dark. This way your dog can be seen well even on night walks.
Ergonomic harness from Ferplast
The third harness in our test also shows the variety of shapes that a dog harness can have. Ferplast’s ergonomic harness is made of nylon, making it extremely hard-wearing and robust.
An ergonomic shape with soft padding was chosen so that your dog feels completely comfortable in the harness. This ensures that the harness does not press anywhere on your four-legged friend and does not disturb him when moving.
Six locking points, which can be adjusted as required using a special system, ensure an ideal fit. This makes the harness easy to put on and adapt to any body shape.
Due to the high wearing comfort and the good fit, the harness is also suitable for outdoor activities. If you want to overcome an obstacle, you can also simply lift your dog with the handle on the back and carry it over it. The ergonomic shape optimally distributes the tensile force over the entire body and thus prevents certain parts of the body from being overloaded.
Reflective strips on the harness also contribute to the safety of your four-legged friend. With it you can feel safe at any time of the day.
Purchase advice: These factors are important when buying an escape-proof dog harness
1. optimal fit
An escape-proof dog harness can be designed to be escape-proof – if it’s too big, it will be easy for your dog to get out of it. For you as a dog owner, this means that you have to think carefully about what size your dog needs before you buy it.
Manufacturers often already provide information on which breeds and dog sizes an escape-proof dog harness is suitable for.
Do you have a big or a small dog?
Then I recommend my guide to Labrador dog harnesses or dog harnesses for Chiahuahuas.
However, since there can be large fluctuations in body size and shape within a breed, information on how to measure your dog is often more precise. With instructions on how to measure and a comparison with a size chart, you can find the optimal size for each product.
It is also advisable to look at the customer reviews. There you will find good indications of how a product turns out. If it is very large, you can often choose one size smaller, for example.
Don’t you want to deal intensively with the dishes before you buy them? An alternative to an escape-proof harness is a step in harness. For this I recommend my guide: Step in harnesses. These are very easy to put on and do not allow your dog to get out of the harness.
2. Customizability
So that your dog feels comfortable in his harness and does not get sore even over longer distances, the harness must be optimally adapted to your pet’s body. When purchasing an escape-proof harness, always make sure that the straps are adjustable. You can adjust an escape-proof dog harness individually and react to weight gain and loss without having to buy a new harness right away.
Exactly how the straps can be adjusted varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some straps work like backpack straps, others are equipped with special mechanisms. This is not decisive for the functionality. But if it is important to you, for example, that you can operate the fasteners with one hand, you should also pay more attention to these aspects.
3. Material
The material should be tear-resistant and robust so that your dog cannot take off an escape-proof dog harness while playing and you can use your achievement for a long time. Breathability is particularly important for large harnesses, otherwise your dog will sweat too much under the material. This is very uncomfortable, especially in summer, and can even lead to heat stroke.
In order to be able to clean escape-proof dishes for dogs from time to time, it is also practical if the material is washable – ideally in the washing machine.
Dog harnesses can also have other extras and additional functions. Depending on what you intend to do with the dishes, these can be very important.
If you plan to go hiking or even climbing with your dog, you should make sure that the harness has a carrying handle on the dog’s back. So you can easily carry your four-legged friend over difficult obstacles.
For night trips, reflectors are a must. This way your dog is visible to drivers, cyclists and other pedestrians. Should your darling tear himself away, reflectors can save his life.
A reflective material is also a great advantage for anti-train harnesses. You and others can see your dog better in the dark and you increase the safety of your four-legged friend.
5th prize
As always, the price should be right. I always advise you to compare as many products as possible. This way you can better assess whether a product is really worth its price.
Don’t get me wrong – quality, functionality and safety always come first for me. If these factors are right, I’m willing to spend more money. Nevertheless, a price comparison can help to avoid falling for usury.
Customer reviews are always a good starting point, because they show how satisfied previous users were with the respective product and where there were deductions.
Conclusion
An escape-proof dog harness must be escape-proof for the safety of everyone involved. In our test, three corresponding products were presented. The tableware from Ferplast won.
This escape-proof harness for dogs offers maximum safety at a fair price. The special locking system allows the harness to be individually adjusted to each dog’s body. With its ergonomic fit and soft padding, the harness is particularly comfortable for four-legged friends.
Thanks to reflectors and an additional handle, the Ferplast harness is even suitable for outdoor activities. When choosing the right size, however, you should take into account that the dishes are very large.