The best dog harnesses to stop leash pulling, according to vets and dog trainers

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Harnesses are a popular alternative to a collar-leash system that can be safer and more comfortable for your dog.Courtesy Zoe Malin; Courtesy Mili GodioFor some, one of the best parts of having a dog is taking them on walks. Not only does it allow you to get some exercise (dog owners walk an average 22 minutes longer each day than non-dog owners, according to a study from BioMedCentral’s Public Health Journal), but it can also be vital to your dog’s overall health. But if your dog constantly tugs or lunges while walking with a traditional collar and leash, a harness may be a good alternative. They can help disperse the pressure caused by a pulling leash, which can be better for your dog’s neck and help prevent them from choking, experts say.

If you’re looking to invest in a harness for your pup, I spoke to veterinarians and dog trainers about the different types of harnesses available, the benefits of using each one and how to find the best fit for your dog. I also rounded up a list of tested-and-approved options.

Best overallWild Ones Harness$undefined$48.00Wild OneLearn moreBest crash-testedKurgo Tru-Fit Harness$39.95$42.99ChewyLearn moreBest for training2 Hounds Design Freedom Harness$undefined$41.96AmazonLearn moreBest for small dogsFrisco Small Breed Soft Vest Dog Harness$undefined$11.99ChewyLearn moreBest no-pull harnessPetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness$undefined$22.95AmazonLearn moreBest adjustableBlue-9 Balance No-Pull Dog Harness$undefined$49.95ChewyLearn moreSee 3 MoreRelatedselectedselectedThe best dog treats, approved by our editors' pupsWant more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.

Below, I compiled expert-recommended back- and front-clip dog harnesses. In line with our experts’ guidance, each of the following dog harnesses are available in multiple sizes and include a size guide to find the one that’s right for your dog’s size and weight.

$48.00Wild One$47.99PetcoWhat to knowType: front- and back-clip | Sizes: XS, S, M, L | Material: polyester, nylon | Machine-washable: yesWhat we likeDurableThree adjustable pointsPaddedSomething to noteNot for extra large dogs“This harness looks good, is well constructed and comes with really nice matching leashes,” says Robert Haussmann, a certified dog trainer and co-founder of dog training service Dogboy NYC. You can attach a leash to the harness in three spots — the neck, lower back and chest — for your preferred control method. I’ve used this harness and matching leash set for my 7-year-old havanese and bichon frise mix, Bella, for over five years. The material is super soft, stretchy and easily adjustable, which has come in handy as Bella has gotten older. You have to slip the harness over your dog’s head instead of clipping it around their body, which can take some getting used to; it requires a little wiggling at first, but after you do it a few times, you get used to it.

I’ve used Wild One’s harnesses for my dog, Bella, for nearly five years.Courtesy Mili GodioNBC Select reporter Zoe Malin’s puppy, Mabel, is also a fan of the Wild One harness: “I bought it when she was about three months old and four pounds — I got the extra small size, but I still had to tighten the adjustable straps as much as possible so it fit her,” she says. “Now that she’s nine months old and nine pounds, I’ve loosened the straps a bit, and the extra-small harness fits her perfectly. It grew with her just as I hoped it would.” Malin loves that the harness is padded across the back and belly, which makes it seem extra comfortable for Mabel. Plus, there’s three leash attachment points, so you can latch it to a car seat, stroller or leash.

You can choose from multiple trendy colors, plus upgrade to a Walk Kit with a matching leash and poop bag carrier.

Reporter Zoe Malin loves using Wild One’s harness for her 9-pound puppy because she can adjust the fit as she grows.Courtesy Zoe MalinBest crash-testedKurgo Tru-Fit Harness$39.95$42.99ChewyNow 7% off$39.95AmazonWhat to knowType: front- and back-clip | Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL | Material: n/a | Machine-washable: yesWhat we likeFive adjustable pointsCrash-testedConnects to seat beltSomething to noteNothing to note at this timeIf you’re looking for a harness to use both on walks and in your car, this Kurgo harness is sturdy and well-made, according to Haussmann. In addition to its padded chest plate and steel hardware, this harness has a 10-inch seatbelt tether that’s been crash-tested for dogs up to 75 pounds, and it’s compatible with any vehicle seatbelt system, according to the brand. You can attach it to a leash both at the front and the back.

$22.95Amazon$28.99Petco$22.95$28.99ChewyNow 21% offWhat to knowType: front-clip | Sizes: S, S/M, M/L, L | Material: nylon | Machine-washable: n/aWhat we likeGreat training toolEasy to put onProvides gradual pressureSomething to noteTightens around chestHaussmann recommends this front-clip Petsafe harness because it’s the “easiest to find at pet stores and comes in half sizes to find the right fit,” he says. It has a patented loop design that puts gradual pressure on your dog’s shoulders to help you safely redirect their focus and prevent them from pulling, according to the brand. “If a dog tries to pull, it gently turns them back toward you, reinforcing training rather than letting them drag forward,” says Dr. Abel Gonzalez, a veterinarian and the clinical director at Dutch, a pet telehealth company. This is another harness I regularly use with Bella, who tends to jump on other dogs and people — it helps her stay on the ground and nip any jumping or pulling in the bud, in my experience. The belly strap is also a different color than the rest of the harness, so you can see whether you’ve put it on correctly.

$11.99ChewyWhat to knowType: front-clip | Sizes: 11 in. to 18 in. chest | Material: mesh | Machine-washable: noWhat we likeLight and breathableSoft materialGood for younger pupsSomething to noteMay fit snugLook for a lightweight mesh or breathable harness if you have a small dog, a younger puppy or a pet that’s previously suffered a neck injury, says Dr. Natalie Marks, a veterinarian at VCA Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago. This option is available in a range of smaller sizes and is made from soft, comfortable and breathable mesh. It also includes reflective bands around the chest and sides for nighttime walks.

$13.29$13.99AmazonNow 5% off$13.99Target$13.55$15.99ChewyNow 15% offWhat to knowType: back-clip | Sizes: XXXS, XXS, XS, M, L, XL | Material: mesh | Machine-washable: yesWhat we likeEasy to put onGreat for small dogsSomething to noteOne leash attachment point“I call this ‘harness pants’ because your dog steps into it like you would step into a pair of pants,” says Malin. “It’s very easy to quickly put on and take off your pet — my family uses it for our four-month-old puppy Daisy, who’s very squirmy, and it works great.” You can secure it on your pet in three ways — a hook and loop fastener, a buckle and double D-rings — so you don’t have to worry about it randomly coming apart. The harness is made from lightweight and breathable mesh fabric, so it’s great for warmer climates.

Malin finds this harness easy to put on her family’s pup, Daisy, because she can simply step into them like a pair of pants.Courtesy Zoe MalinBest for training2 Hounds Design Freedom Harness$41.96Amazon$45.96ChewyWhat to knowType: front- and back-clip | Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL | Material: n/a | Machine-washable: n/aWhat we likePrevents chafingGreat for all dog sizesLeash includedSomething to noteTightens around chestExpensiveIf you’re in the thick of training, the no-pull Freedom Harness will tighten around the dog’s chest to reduce tugging and allow you to steer them as needed. “This harness has both a front and back leash attachment, and it even comes with a leash,” says Haussmann. It also includes a comfortable, velvet-lined chest strap that helps prevent it from chaffing your dog’s skin, he says. The harness is designed to fit dogs weighing between 14 pounds and 250 pounds, according to the brand.

$30.00WildebeestWhat to knowType: front-clip | Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL | Material: nylon | Machine-washable: n/aWhat we likeFour adjustable pointsNo-pull designDurable nylon materialSomething to noteNot for extra large dogsWildebeest’s no-pull dog harness, which Haussmann says is both functional and durable, has four adjustable straps along with a single buckle to easily get it on or off, according to the brand. It’s made from multiple layers of nylon and webbing for durability, plus has reflective details for night visibility, according to the brand. The harness’s front-clip design has a strap that gently tightens around the chest to help control your dog’s pulling.

$49.95ChewyWhat to knowType: front- and back-clip | Sizes: S, M, L | Material: nylon | Machine-washable: n/aWhat we likeSix adjustment pointsReduces pullingEscape-freeSomething to noteNot for very small dogsThis harness comes recommended by Gonzalez because it’s highly adjustable, lightweight and great at preventing rubbing and chafing, he says. Haussmann is also a fan due to its six adjustment points and multiple leash attachment points. Since Haussmann is primarily an urban dog trainer, he uses this harness to help reverse unwanted behaviors, like pulling or lunging. Plus, it allows your dog to have full range of motion and won’t cause choking or chafing, according to the brand.

$32.99AmazonWhat to knowType: back-clip | Sizes: S/M, M/L, XL | Material: polyester | Machine-washable: n/aWhat we likeLeash and harness comboHighly durableBest for pullersSomething to noteTightens around chestExpensiveThe Harness Lead Leash is great for dogs who tend to be a flight risk since they’re fairly escape-proof and effective at gently controlling pulling or dragging back, says Haussmann. Though this is a back-clip option, it works similar to a no-pull harness in that it uses the dog’s own pressure to gently tighten around their chest and discourage tugging in the process, according to the brand. The durable, double-braided polyester harness comes in three sizes to fit dogs anywhere between 14 pounds and 200 pounds, according to the brand.

When shopping for the best dog harness for your dog, here’s what experts recommend looking for. I also kept these factors in mind when pulling together our list:

In addition to determining whether a front- or back-clip harness is best for your dog (more on that below), it’s important to pick one that is proportionate to your dog’s size. “A harness that’s too tight can be painful, cause skin abrasions and create a negative association with walking in general,” says Marks. A harness that is too loose, on the other hand, can prevent it from serving its intended purpose and let your dog wiggle right out of it, says Alison Creighton, a registered veterinary technician at VCA Lakewood Animal Hospital.

A general rule of thumb to determine whether the harness fits properly is that you should be able to get two of your fingers between your dog’s body and the straps of the harness, according to Haussmann. “Be sure the front strap isn’t too low and hanging, or that it’s not rubbing too much under their armpits,” he says.

Harness manufacturers usually include a size guide and instructions on how to properly measure your dog for the correct fit. “How a harness fits will vary depending on the brand and type, so it is very important to follow measurement guidelines for each individual product,” says Creighton.

Ultimately, the choice between a harness and collar is a matter of personal preference and what works for your lifestyle, as well as the temperament and training of the dog wearing it. “If a dog is already trained to happily walk at your side, then a flat buckle collar is a fine choice,” says Haussmann.

However, if you’re looking for a tool to help teach your dog leash manners, Haussman says he prefers a harness because it keeps the pressure off their trachea and spine if they pull, drag back or unpredictably lunge forward.

“I always prefer harnesses — they limit pull and pressure on the windpipe, and disperse that pull across the front of the body in an even distribution,” says Marks.

Choosing the right type of harness can make a big difference when it comes to how comfortable and obedient a dog is during walks. There are two main styles of harnesses: back-clip and front-clip (also called no-pull harnesses). My experts explain the benefits and limitations of each type and how to determine which one is best for your dog’s size, training experience and overall demeanor.

Back-clip harnesses let you clip the leash in between your dog’s shoulder blades. They’re usually more comfortable for dogs and are less likely to tangle around their legs compared to front-clip harnesses, says Creighton.

However, these types of harnesses may encourage your dog to pull more since they can rest their entire body weight against the front. This is especially true for dogs who are just learning to walk or already have a pulling habit, says Haussmann.

All dogs have an oppositional reflex: When they feel pressure, they tend to pull or push against it. “A harness that has the leash attachment in the front tends to help bypass this reflex [because] the dog has a harder time pushing against the pressure of the harness,” says Haussmann. That means you can pull your dog back gently and teach them good leash manners without putting pressure on their trachea or spine.

Keep in mind that front-clip harnesses can be awkward to get used to for both you and your dog because the leash hangs in front. If you leave too much slack, it can get tangled under the dog’s legs; too little and your dog can get used to the tension, causing them to try to pull more, says Haussmann. These harnesses can also backfire if you have a dog who chooses not to walk at all. “That reflex to pull against the pressure works in both directions: If you’re pulling from the front while your dog leans back into the harness, you can make a bad habit worse,” says Haussmann.

Many dogs will feel uncomfortable by the intrusive nature of a harness and need some extra time to make a positive association to wearing one, says Haussmann. Here are some tips to get your dog more comfortable wearing one:

At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

I’m an updates editor at NBC Selected who has covered a variety of pet topics since 2021. For this article, I spoke to a veterinarian, a veterinary technician and a certified dog trainer about how to shop for dog harnesses. I compiled their recommendations for the best harnesses to consider, as well as NBC Selected editor favorites that we use for our own pups.

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Mili GodioMili Godio is the updates editor for NBC Selected. Her expertise lies in wellness, skin care, hair care and pets.