The 5 best no-pull dog harnesses of 2025, tested and reviewed

Dogs that pull on the leash can be a challenge to walk. However, one of the best no-pull dog harnesses can help train your persistent puller to walk calmly on a loose leash. These front-clip harnesses have a ring on the chest for attaching the leash, which naturally pivots your dog toward you when they lunge forward. This causes the leash to tighten slightly and redirects their movement.

For this guide, we tested 15 popular no-pull harnesses with over two dozen rescue dogs of various sizes — from pint-sized pups to large German shepherds. We also consulted dog trainers, professional dog walkers, and veterinarians for their expert advice on how to safely and humanely prevent leash pulling. Our top pick is the Blue-9 Balance Harness, a highly adjustable option that significantly reduces pulling. If you're looking for a more affordable harness, the Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness is a durable and budget-friendly option, priced around $30.

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Our top picks for the best no-pull dog harnesses

Best overall: Blue-9 Balance Harness - See at Amazon

Best padded: Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness - See at Chewy

Best budget: Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness - See at Chewy

Best for small dogs: Wild One Dog Harness - See at Chewy

Best with handle: PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness - See at Amazon

Best overall

The Blue-9 Balance Harness is a top choice among the best no-pull dog harnesses, earning praise from dog walkers and trainers, including Nicole Ellis, a professional dog trainer and owner of Tails With Nicole. Our testers at Family Dog Rescue, an animal shelter in San Francisco, were impressed by how much easier it was to walk untrained shelter dogs with this harness. The dogs pulled less and were easier to control when the leash was attached to the front D-ring on the harness.

Unlike the popular Petsafe Easy Walk Harness, the Balance Harness has a Y-neck design that doesn't cross the dog's shoulders or pinch under the armpits. "It is great for daily performance, and it doesn't interfere with the dog's shoulder movement," says Robyn Socarro, a professional dog trainer. As with the other harnesses in this guide, you can also attach the leash to the back of the harness for dogs that don't pull.

The Balance Harness is an excellent choice if you've struggled to find a well-fitting harness. It has six adjustment points, so you can get a good fit for wide necks, barrel chests, and chunky bellies. There are straps that clip around the torso and neck. While the neck strap is ideal for dogs that resist putting their head through a harness, this design can make it tricky to put it on. The colored top strap on the back helps you easily identify the correct placement, and the top strap of the all-black harness includes a printed logo for easy identification.

The soft nylon material meets a 3,500-pound test strength. I toss mine into the washer and let it air-dry, and it's still in great shape.

Read our full Blue-9 Balance Harness review.

Best padded

Designed for outdoor adventures, the Ruffwear Front Range Harness is built to endure tough wear while ensuring your dog stays comfortable. After seven years of use, this is the only intact harness reporter Ren Volpe's dog still wears from his younger days. The foam padding on the chest and belly prevents rubbing and chafing, and the built-in clasps are covered with fabric so they don't touch any part of a dog's body.

"The padding is nice because it doesn't rub on my thin-coated dog," says Scarlett Cermak, a professional dog trainer and owner of Embark Today. "I also really like that there is a back-clip option because there are times, believe it or not, when I want my dogs to pull, like in sports like canicross or joring."

The harness is easy to put on and take off, with two clasps and adjustment buckles. It has two leash attachments: an aluminum V-ring on the back and a reinforced webbing loop on the chest plate.

The Front Range doesn't reduce pulling as effectively as the other best no-pull dog harnesses in this guide. While it's typical for a front-clip harness to shift when your dog pulls, this harness twists more than our other top picks, causing it to shift to the side with consistent pulling. If you have a barrel-chested dog, the Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness features a similar design that may work well. However, the straps require frequent tightening as they loosen easily.

The harness has reflective stitching for nighttime visibility, and its polyester shell fabric is extremely durable. Although the brand recommends hand-washing the harness, Volpe has put it in the washer and dryer numerous times. It's still in good condition, but the edges have slightly curled over time.

Best budget

The Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness allows you to attach the leash to the front to reduce pulling or secure it to the back ring for casual walks or runs with your dog. Priced around $30, it's also a great starting point if you're working with a tighter budget.

Beth DiMeccio, a volunteer at Family Dog Rescue, tested this harness with shelter dogs and was impressed with how well it worked for strong pullers. "There's little chance a dog can wriggle out of this harness, which is a big concern with shelter dogs," she says.

The Y-shaped nylon 3-in-1 doesn't restrict a dog's movement. It features five adjustment points for a comfortable, snug fit, and the buckle at the neck eliminates the need to pull it over a dog's head. The light neoprene padding and reflective stitching provide added comfort and safety, respectively.

With 1-inch wide straps, this harness is heavier than similar styles, creating too much bulk for smaller dogs. While the wider straps help prevent chafing, the plastic clasps lack padding, which may lead to discomfort during extended wear. Petsafe recommends hand-washing the 3-in-1, which could make it challenging to remove odors.

The harness is easy to put on once you get the hang of it. It includes a built-in adjustable strap to attach to a seat belt if you'd like to limit your dog's movement in the car. However, it hasn't been crash-tested and may not protect your dog in an accident.

Best for small dogs

Pulling is mostly associated with large dogs, but smaller dogs can tug hard on a leash, too. As with their larger counterparts, a no-pull dog harness can help lessen pulling with pint-sized pups. The Wild One Harness performed the best of the three harnesses reporter Alex Rennie tested with his 12-pound terrier mix. When the leash was attached to the front D-ring, the harness redirected his small dog each time he attempted to pull.

Thanks to its snug fit, the harness remained secure and didn't shift when the dog lunged. Rennie achieved the correct fit with three easy-to-use adjustment points, each connected to a buckle (one at the neck and two at the back). The buckles could be fastened without lifting the harness over the dog's head — Ellis says this is a great feature for dogs who are uncomfortable with anything being placed over or around their head.

No matter how snug the harness was after adjustment, the dog didn't experience any chafing, thanks to extra padding around high-friction areas, particularly the armpits. A layer of stretchy polyester covers the inside of the harness, which reduces the possibility of discomfort and chafing. However, the material sometimes caused the harness to shift on the dog, even after adjusting the straps to get a perfect fit.

On its website, Wild One warns that some richer colors may bleed onto lighter-colored dogs. To prevent this, the brand recommends handwashing the harness before first use. Rennie washed the harness and found it dried quickly.

Best with handle

The PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness is reporter Sophia Carlisle's favorite no-pull harness with a handle. The versatile harness has several features that make walking a puller easier, including an front leash attachment to prevent pulling, a handle on the back, reflective strips, and a locking buckle at the neck.

The wide handle that runs horizontally across the back of the harness is especially useful when Carlisle needs to quickly grab her lunging dog. Her 50-pound dog has a habit of rolling in burrs during forest walks, and she frequently uses the handle to pull her away from spiky plants. It can also be tough for Carlisle to see her black-coated dog during evening hikes since she blends in with the surrounding trees. The reflective strips on this harness are a fantastic safety feature that makes it easy for other hikers, dogs, and even people in cars to see her at any time of day.

The harness also has a locking buckle on the neck strap, an excellent safety feature for dogs prone to bolting. When the lock is engaged, the buckle cannot be unlatched. This feature kept Carlisle's dog secure in even when she was startled by a charging dog and tried to back out of the harness.

While the three separate attachment points eliminate the need to place the harness over your dog's head, this design can make it confusing to put on at first. Another drawback is the lack of padding. The underside is reinforced with a webbed mesh material, which helps the harness move with the dog but doesn't provide protection against chafing. For thin-coated dogs, we recommend a more heavily padded harness.

What to look for in a no-pull harness

The following considerations will help you choose the best harness to stop dog from pulling on leash.

Design: A dog harness should not impede or restrict movement. Look for one that doesn't sag, and make sure the straps don't lay over the dog's front legs and shoulders, which can interfere with movement. Y-shaped no-pull harnesses are less likely to restrict movement than T-shaped harnesses. Additionally, harnesses with leash attachments on both the front and back offer more versatility.

Ellis says that, regardless of the style of harness you choose, a proper fit is essential. If you can comfortably fit two fingers under the harness without being able to tug it forward, it's likely to be both comfortable and secure for your dog.

Ease of use: A harness that's easy to put on and take off leaves less room for error. Look for one with multiple adjustment points to ensure the best fit for your dog.

Padding: Extra padding provides comfort and helps prevent chafing and rubbing, which is especially important for dogs that tend to pull.

Machine washable: A harness that's easy to clean will help prevent odors and look good for years to come.

Warranty: No-pull harnesses are a bit pricey, so having the option to return or get a replacement for a defective one is a valuable perk.

How we tested the best no-pull dog harnesses

We published this guide in 2020 after freelance reporter Shoshi Parks interviewed professional dog walkers and trainers to learn about their favorite no-pull dog harnesses. She also consulted veterinarians and dog behaviorists to gather insights on what to look for in a harness.

The following year, freelance reporter Ren Volpe tested our top picks with untrained shelter dogs at Family Dog Rescue in San Francisco over an eight-week period. Three shelter staff members and two volunteer shelter walkers used the harnesses during walks with more than two dozen medium and large rescue dogs, all of whom were challenging to walk due to over-excitability, lack of training, or reactivity. The dogs were walked for 30 to 60 minutes on city streets and in local parks.

In 2024, former reporting fellow Sophia Carlisle tested handle harnesses with her 50-pound pitbull mix, while freelance reporter Alex Rennie tested small harnesses with his 12-pound terrier mix. They both walked their dogs for at least 30 minutes on city streets and in local parks.

Here are the key factors we considered when evaluating the best no-pull dog harnesses.

Prevents pulling: We evaluated how effectively each harness prevented dogs from pulling on leash during walks. We walked for a minimum of 30 minutes on 4-foot leashes.

Does not impede or restrict movement: We tested the harnesses on dogs of various sizes and shapes to ensure they didn't sag or have straps that obstructed the dog's front legs or shoulders. The Petsafe Easy Walk and Wonder Walker harnesses were disqualified due to significant sagging during testing.

Does not chafe or rub: We tested harnesses on both long-haired and short-haired dogs to check for any chafing or rubbing.

Dog cannot slip or back out of the harness: This was a key factor in our testing, as the shelter dogs we walked are more likely to be flight risks.

Easy to put on and take off/ease of adjustment: Putting on or adjusting a dog's harness should be simple. Our shelter volunteers and testers recorded their experiences while fitting the harnesses on dogs.

Durability and washability: We asked professional dog walkers for their opinions on how well these harnesses hold up over time and after multiple washes.

Initial cost and replacement cost: We evaluated whether the harness's price is reasonable and how easily it can be replaced if it gets chewed.

We did not test head halters, as most dogs initially find them uncomfortable and may resist wearing them. The no-pull harnesses in this guide are a better option for those choosing the least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) approach to dog training and behavior modification. For more information about head halters, check out our guide to the best dog harnesses.

No-pull dog harness FAQs

What is the best harness to stop a dog from pulling?

We recommend a front-clip no-pull harness when training a dog to walk on a leash without pulling. It removes dangerous pressure from a dog's neck while reducing its ability to pull.

Are no-pull harnesses good for dogs?

Yes, the best no-pull dog harnesses are designed to minimize pressure on a dog's neck and joints when they pull.

Is a harness or collar better to stop pulling?

Even the best dog collars should not be used to restrain or control your dog because they can put unnecessary stress and tension on the dog's neck. "Dogs that pull on leash are at an increased risk of choking," says Dr. Lillian Baker, veterinarian and owner of Baker's Mobile Veterinary Services in Texas. She explains that tracheal collapse is another potential consequence. A 2020 study using canine neck models with pressure sensors confirmed the danger, concluding that all types of dog collars can potentially harm a dog's neck. A flat neck collar should only be used for attaching an identification tag or for decoration. A body harness is a much safer and more effective option for walking a dog that pulls.

How does a no-pull harness stop a dog from pulling?

Front-clip no-pull dog harnesses discourage pulling by turning the dog toward you whenever the leash tightens. No-pull harnesses come in two basic designs: a Y-shaped chest strap or a strap that runs horizontally across the chest. Y-shaped harnesses offer better freedom of movement. "Any product that forms a Y shape around the dog's neck and under the chest is non-restrictive," says Dr. Chris Zink, a veterinarian specializing in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation.

Why do dogs pull on leash?

"Dogs may pull on a leash due to hypersensitivity to all that is going on around them as well as a lack of proper leash training as a puppy," Baker says. No dog is born innately understanding how to walk on a leash. They pull because they naturally walk faster than we do and want to get to the park, greet another dog, or sniff something interesting. Usually, they keep pulling because they've learned that doing so allows them to move forward.

How do I fit a no-pull harness to my dog?

Choosing the best harness for your dog is like picking the perfect pair of running shoes: Fit is crucial. There's nothing scarier than your dog wriggling or backing out of a loose-fitting harness. An ill-fitting harness will also be uncomfortable, and if it's too tight, it can cause chafing. A sagging harness can restrict a dog's full range of shoulder or leg movement. A properly fitted harness will be snug but not too tight, with enough room to fit two to three fingers under each strap. Be sure to check the size chart and follow the instructions for measuring your dog. When shopping online, measure carefully and check the return policy before placing your order.

Will a no-pull harness teach my dog to stop pulling?

Front-clip no-pull harnesses aren't a quick fix that will instantly stop your dog from pulling, but they serve as useful management tool. The most effective way to prevent pulling is to train your dog to walk on a loose leash using positive reinforcement with some of the best dog treats for training. If your dog is a longtime puller, no piece of equipment alone will teach them to stop, but a good harness can help you control and manage your dog while working on leash manners. If you continue walking whenever your dog pulls, you not only miss the opportunity to train loose leash walking but also reinforce the pulling behavior.

What's the best leash for a dog who pulls?

Baker prefers a standard 4- to 6-foot-long leather leash for dog walking. She recommends avoiding retractable leashes, which present a variety of safety risks for both dogs and their walkers. You can find excellent leather and fabric designs in our guide to the best dog leashes.

Why don't we recommend prong, choke, and e-collars?

We only considered no-pull equipment that ensures a dog's comfort or doesn't cause pain. Prong, choke, and shock collars are designed to punish a dog by inflicting pain around the neck when they pull. Prong collars and choke chains can also cause damage to a dog's neck. "As a general rule, I don't like anything that puts too much pressure on the neck," says Dr. Carlo Siracusa, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and associate professor of clinical behavior medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. "Definitely no prong or shock collars. Even a martingale-type collar, which I do like, will not prevent the dog from pulling [and] will apply pressure on the neck."

Is there a humane alternative to no-pull harnesses?

Head halters are a humane alternative to body harnesses, and Baker recommends them for dogs that pull. "If you lead the head, the body follows," she says. However, head halters may not be suitable for every dog. Siracusa says they can cause whiplash or neck or spine pain if a dog is easily over-aroused or highly reactive on leash.

Is there such a thing as a "chew-proof" harness?

There is no such thing as a chew-proof harness. A chewed-up harness is not a manufacturer defect or the result of poor design or materials. A determined dog or teething puppy can easily destroy a harness in less than 30 seconds, so always remove the harness when your dog is unsupervised. Additionally, take it off when dogs are roughhousing to prevent injury, as their teeth and limbs can become entangled.

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