There are dogs that are model pupils and walk well on a leash from day one. However, most four-legged friends have to learn this first and pull on the leash at first when they want to go to another dog or to a sniffing spot.
Pulling is very uncomfortable, especially in larger dogs that have the strength to pull their owner away. If the behavior is not consistently prevented, your four-legged friend will notice after a while that he is stronger than you and will simply pull you with him as soon as he sees something interesting.
This is very dangerous, just imagine what happens in traffic or when you meet a pugnacious dog.
In this article, I will therefore introduce you to anti-train harnesses and explain what you need to look out for when buying one.
My anti-train harness favourites
The big anti-train harness test
Ruffwear Harness
This Ruffwear product has a chest strap that runs through the front legs and connects to one of the two waist straps.
The second waist strap, which is rather untypical for dog harnesses, is intended to provide even more stability and support so that your dog cannot free itself from the harness. In addition, the additional waist belt ensures even better pressure distribution, so that individual parts of the body are not overloaded.
You can adjust the harness individually to your darling in five places on the shoulder, chest and stomach. This ensures that the product does not rub or press anywhere uncomfortably. The padded straps also help.
The leash can be attached in two places, either on an aluminum V-ring on the back or on the woven tab located further back on the back.
For more control in tricky situations, the harness has a handle on the back. This can also be helpful for overcoming difficult obstacles on hiking and climbing tours.
Kurgo Journey and Journey Air dog harnesses
The Kurgo dog harness for pulling dogs consists of a chest and a waist belt, which are connected between the front legs. A V-neck ensures better freedom of movement.
The harness is padded with breathable mesh and thus ensures a comfortable fit. This means there are no chafing or pressure points.
For training, the leash is attached to the chest ring, which offers better control and is therefore ideal for getting dogs to stop pulling on the leash. The handle on the back is also a good way to restrain your dog without pulling on the leash too much.
For normal walks, once your dog has learned to stop pulling, you can hang the leash back on the back ring as usual.
The reflective materials on the straps ensure safety in the dark. Especially when you want to go for a walk at night, I always find that very important.
Kurgo Enhanced Tru-Fit Smart dog harness for pulling dogs
The company Kurgo ended up in the top 5 with another harness in our product test. The Enhanced Tru-Fit Smart dog harness is characterized by the highest level of comfort and safety and is also available for a very attractive price of around 30 euros.
Let’s start with security first. Every dog owner wants their four-legged friend to be happy, which is why safety should always come first. The Kurgo dog harness has passed several crash tests with flying colors and is perfect for dogs weighing up to 34 kilograms. With the included dog belt for the car, you can easily use the harness for car journeys.
For walks you have a chest ring and a back ring to attach the leash. A double lining on the chest and the possibility of individually adjusting the harness in five places offer extra comfort.
Eagleo anti-pull harness
This harness for around 25 euros has a very wide bib that evenly distributes the pressure. Even if the leash is pulled harder, there is no risk of straining your four-legged friend’s neck or back.
The harness is made of soft oxford cloth, padded inside with cotton and breathable mesh. The rings, handles and locks are very stable, so that your dog’s safety is guaranteed at all times. In the dark, light-reflecting strips also ensure better visibility.
Putting it on and taking it off is very easy and quick. Thanks to the individually adjustable straps, you can adapt the harness to your four-legged friend at any time, even if it grows, gains weight or loses weight.
The leash can be attached to both the chest ring (for more control) and the back ring (for normal walks). A handle on the back of the harness offers more control and is also useful for threading the seat belt when driving, for example.
rabbit goo dishes
You can buy the last harness in our test for less than 20 euros. The rabbitgoo anti-pull harness has a chest ring and a back ring and is therefore also suitable for active dogs.
An additional handle on the back ensures maximum control in tricky situations. The harness can also be used as a safety harness in the car.
The harness can be individually adjusted to the body of your favorite in four different places, so that there are no pressure or chafing points.
The product is made of a soft, breathable Oxford fabric that is padded with cotton in the chest area.
The dishes are easy to care for and can be easily washed by hand. This is a real advantage, especially in muddy weather, when one or the other puddle is easily taken away.
Reflectors integrated into the anti-train harness ensure safety at dusk or in the dark.
Purchase advice
Harness or collar – what is suitable for whom?
Whether your dog should wear a harness or a collar is an individual decision. It often also depends on the dog whether it prefers one or the other. For example, some four-legged friends feel restricted by harnesses and prefer a simple collar that offers maximum freedom of movement.
However, it is relatively rare for dogs to have problems with a harness, provided the harness fits properly and does not slip, pinch or rub.
This article is primarily about dogs that pull on the leash. Here you should rather use a harness. With a collar, the pressure is only on the dog’s neck. If your dog pulls hard on the leash, it will choke off its breath. Over time, this can lead to neck and back problems. With a harness, the pressure distribution is more even, so that individual parts of the body are not overloaded so quickly.
I therefore recommend a harness, especially for dogs that pull on the leash. If your dog is easier to lead, you can also switch to a collar if necessary.
How does an anti-pull harness work?
A dog harness is not just a dog harness. There are countless variants of harnesses, including special anti-train harnesses that are designed to help dogs that pull hard.
A harness is all well and good, but good pressure distribution also has its disadvantages. If you lead a strong pulling dog on a harness with a back ring, you will find that you have significantly less influence than with a collar. Although your dog’s body is less stressed, control must be guaranteed so that your dog does not run onto the next street and drag you with it.
An anti-train harness addresses this problem. They allow you to attach the leash to a chest ring, giving you more control than having the leash attached to the back or up the neck. If your dog pulls on the leash, it is then turned slightly to the side. The train stops at this moment. This will teach your dog that there is no point in pushing against the leash without being punished or being pulled back permanently.
If you practice this consistently, you will soon notice an improvement and eventually you will be able to walk your dog on a loose leash.
What should I look out for when buying an anti-pull harness?
1. Quality of material and workmanship
As with all products, the material must be of high quality, stable and durable. When buying, pay attention to high-quality materials and good workmanship. This is the only way you can be sure that the product does its job well and that your dog cannot free itself. Above all, the experiences of previous customers are very useful.
2. Wearing comfort
The harness must be well padded so that your four-legged friend does not chafe. The buckles and fasteners must not pinch, as this causes pain in the long run. You should also make sure that you can adjust the harness individually and adapt it to your dog’s body.
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