Does your dog hate it when you try to pull something over his head? Is that why putting on and taking off the doggie harness takes forever and is nerve-wracking? Many dog owners know this.
Step-in harnesses, which do not have to be pulled over the head, can help. Your dog only has to put his feet in such a harness and then this is pulled up and fastened with a buckle around the neck.
In this article I present the top 5 step-in harnesses, go into their advantages and disadvantages and then tell you which details you should definitely pay attention to when buying.
Product Test Step In Tableware
Curli Harness Vest Air Mesh
The first product in our test comes from the Curli company. The harness is closed at the neck with a special fastener. The stretch material helps the harness fit your dog’s body perfectly without pinching.
The pressure distribution has been optimized in such a way that even if the line is pulled harder, the neck or back will not be overloaded. This makes the harness an ideal companion not only in everyday life, but also for numerous outdoor sports.
The harness consists of two layers, which are breathable and soft. You can simply hook the leash into the rings provided, which are located directly on the buckle of the harness. The manufacturer has made sure that the leash rings are made in one piece to increase safety.
Furthermore, the harness has reflective strips so that your darling is clearly visible even when walking in the dark.
Puppia Authentic Puppia Neon Soft Vest Harness
This dog vest is made of breathable mesh and is therefore comfortable to wear even in midsummer. The step-in harness is closed on the back, leaving out the neck area generously. This ensures even better pressure distribution and relief for the sensitive body parts of your four-legged friend.
With a net weight of 100 grams, the vest is very light and won’t bother your dog when you go for a walk. Thanks to the neon colors of the dishes, your darling is always clearly visible. This makes it much easier for cyclists or motorists to see it.
The dishes can be washed in the washing machine at 30 degrees. This low level of maintenance is a big plus, especially in autumn and winter when you often walk through puddles or over muddy surfaces.
HUNTER neoprene Vario Quick harness
The Step In harness from Hunter has a slightly different design. The harness does not have a breastplate. Rather, there are two loops through which the front legs are passed – similar to a backpack for humans. These two loops are then connected to each other using a connecting strap across the back.
This design is innovative because it uses less material and should offer your dog the greatest possible freedom of movement. However, the leg loops are relatively close to the armpits, which can quickly lead to uncomfortable pressure points or chafing. This cannot be completely prevented, especially in the case of sensitive dogs, even by the soft padding.
The leash is hooked into two rings that are located directly on the clasp. With this, the manufacturer has integrated an extra safety mechanism, because if the leash is hooked into both rings, the harness cannot come loose, even if the lock should be damaged.
All straps are infinitely adjustable and can therefore be adapted to any dog. The reflective elements ensure more safety.
EzyDog dog harness
Take an ergonomically shaped chest plate, a neck and a waist belt and the Step In Harness from EzyDog is done. The harness optimally distributes the pressure on the dog’s chest and largely avoids sensitive parts of the body such as the neck or back. So nothing stands in the way of a relaxed walk.
The harness is very easy to put on, so you save time and nerves before the walk. All in all, the tableware is made of high-quality, durable materials so that you can use it for a long time.
The reflective strips on the straps help keep your darling safe. This extra must not be missing, especially during nightly walks.
A safety belt for dogs in the car is also included in the scope of delivery. This allows you to buckle up your four-legged friend safely in the car in just a few simple steps, without needing any additional accessories.
DDOXX Dog Harness Air Mesh
This harness is made of Air Mesh, a very soft, breathable yet strong material. The product is tear and bite resistant, weatherproof and machine washable.
Some customers complain that the dishes are relatively heavy. The thickness and the associated stiffness of the material is also often criticized.
The buckle that closes the harness on the back is very stable. It’s a little heavy at first, but that’s normal if you want it to hold properly.
The dog leash attaches to two D-rings on the back. These lie above the closure and also hold the harness together when the line is hung in both rings at the same time.
The individually adjustable straps can be adapted to any dog. You should make sure that the dishes do not slip, but also cannot rub.
Purchase advice
What is a step-in harness, how can you put on a step-in harness and for whom is such a harness suitable?
So-called step-in harnesses, which are also known as entry harnesses, do not have to be pulled over the dog’s head to put them on. As the name suggests, the four-legged friend only needs to step into the harness that is lying on the floor so that the position of the front legs in the harness is correct. The harness is then pulled up and fastened to the neck or back with a buckle.
On the other hand, if you want to reduce the pressure on the neck and back area, then I recommend a Norwegian harness. These dog harnesses do not have a belt, so your four-legged friend can simply slip on without feeling restricted.
Such a harness is therefore particularly suitable for dogs who are afraid if something is pulled over their head. This is especially common with small dogs, who literally don’t want to be treated «top down.» But also animals with claustrophobia or dogs that have had bad experiences often refuse to have a harness pulled over their heads.
In such a case, a step-in harness can make everyday life a lot easier, since you no longer have to discuss with your dog every day when putting on the harness. In addition, the lack of a ridge on the back of entry-level harnesses ensures that the products only have a low weight. Small dogs in particular, which do not weigh much themselves, benefit from this.
The problem with step-in harnesses is that most dogs don’t learn to position themselves correctly in the leg openings on their own. Fidgety dogs in particular can rob you of your patience when trying to position them correctly over the harness. That’s why step-in harnesses don’t make sense for all dogs.
The fit is also not equally suitable for all dogs. With large dogs, the lack of a back strap often means that the leg straps are very close to the armpits and chafe. For small dogs with a short back, on the other hand, the harnesses usually fit perfectly.
Advantages and disadvantages of step-in harnesses at a glance
What types of step-in harnesses are there?
There are many different types and shapes of step-in harnesses. Since every product is actually unique, it is difficult to categorize it into different types. However, I have found two distinguishing features that can significantly influence the functionality and acceptance of a harness for dogs.
A distinction can be made between harnesses with a large leg opening and harnesses with two leg openings separated from one another by a chest plate or at least a chest strap. Which design you and your four-legged friend like better…