Top 10 Best Dog Harnesses for Puppies

Top 10 Best Dog Harnesses for Puppies

Using a harness as you begin to train your puppy is a great idea for pet owners who want to help their young dog learn important walking and socialization skills. A puppy harness offers you more control, which is ideal for puppies who are often prone to pulling and lunging.

For especially small dogs, using a harness (as opposed to a collar) also helps to protect a puppy’s neck and back from potential injury caused by a leash pulling on a collar.

Read on as we look at the basics of harness training your puppy, and then outline our recommendations for the best puppy harnesses out there.

How to Find the Best Puppy Harness

Finding a harness that fits your pet’s growing body can be a challenge for pet parents, but there are a few features you can look for in a harness to help make shopping easier:

  • Chew-resistant material: If your puppy is teething or just likes to chew on everything, you may want to consider the material that a potential harness is made of. Even the most well-behaved puppy may end up gnawing on the front part of their harnesses when you’re not looking.
  • Adjustable: Ideally, a good puppy harness will allow you to adjust the fit so that they can be made bigger as your puppy grows.
  • Affordability: Since most young dogs will eventually grow out of their harness, selecting a quality but affordable puppy harness is a great idea.

Lastly, don’t forget to measure your dog before ordering a harness. If you find that your pet is in between sizes, opt for the larger size, since your puppy will get bigger as the months go by.

The 10 Best Harnesses for Puppies

Pawaboo Puppy Safety Vest Harness – Best Value

Pawaboo

When you get a new puppy, you also have new expenses. This is why finding an affordable option is important. If this sounds familiar, you will be interested in the Pawaboo Puppy Dog Safety Vest Harness for its durability and cost-friendliness.

This adjustable product is a great option if your furbaby spends a lot of time in the car with you. The dual design is meant to act as a standard vest, plus a car harness. It comes with a seat belt lead clip that can be attached to the headrest, car seat loop, and other secure tether locations.

Besides road safety, the Pawaboo is made of durable oxford material with a sponge padded chest. It comes in either a small, medium, large, or X-large size in a wide variety of colors. The lightweight harness has heavy-duty buckles, a stainless steel latch to attach to your pet, and a twist-lock carabiner to secure to your vehicle.

Easy to get on and off, the soft and comfortable fabric will not cause any chafing on your pet’s underarms. The only drawback we can see is there is no reflective material on the design. Besides that, though, this is the best puppy harness for the money.

Cons
  • No reflect safety
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Doubles as a car harness
  • Heavy-duty hardware
  • Durable material
  • Comfortable and lightweight
  • Secure buckles

PUPTECK No Pull Dog Harness – Best Overall

PUPTECK PH009-006

If you have a rambunctious and on-the-go pup, the PUPTECK PH009-006 No Pull Dog Harness will have all the security and durability you need. Available in six colors, you can choose between a small, medium, or large size that ranges from a 14.8-inch chest to a burly 30-inch chest size.

Made of durable nylon fabric with high-density webbing, you will not worry about your pet escaping or chewing their way free. Heavy-duty buckles keep the harness in place, while the adjustable straps are easy to fit, and more importantly, won’t chafe tender puppy skin.

One of the toughest things about puppy harnesses is getting the blasted thing on and off. Not with this option, though. The dual D-rings connect at the back, making it easy to slip on and off. The ring is also sturdy and held on by heavy double-stitching.

The PUPTECK is a lightweight harness that features a hanging ID tag for extra safety. It is easy to clean, and the bright colors can be seen at night or in low light. Overall, this is our favorite choice for a puppy harness.

Cons
  • Jealous pet-parents in the neighborhood
Pros
  • Durable material
  • Comfortable and lightweight
  • Secure buckles
  • Reflective material
  • Easy to put on and get off
  • Double stitching

FakeFace Puppy Safety Harness – Premium Choice

FakeFace

If you want the best of the best, you will be interested in our premium choice. The FakeFace Puppy Dog Safety Harness is a no-pull/no choke harness that will keep your pooch secure. Constructed of 600D nylon fabric, the backplate is padded for comfort with soft sponge material.

You will be able to find the right size for your puppy with the small through X-large size options. You can also pick from trendy patterns like camo, leopard, or you can go with sleek black. This harness also features a back handle to give you better control, plus it doubles as seat belt restraint.

The FakeFace is lightweight, yet it is comfortable with scratch-resistant material. The welded D-ring is heavy-duty with double stitching. What’s more, the quick-release buckles will keep your pooch secure and happy.

One thing to note about this product is the design. The FakeFace uses a horizontal chest strap that keeps the harness from choking your pet when they pull. The flaw in this design is it’s harder to get on and off than our other two reviews. Besides that, though, the vest has 3M reflective material, it won’t chafe, and it’s easy to wash.

Cons
  • Not as easy to use
Pros
  • Secure and comfortable
  • Heavy-duty hardware
  • Durable material
  • 3M reflective material
  • Control handle

Rabbitgoo Dog Harness

Rabbitgoo DTCW006L

Number five is the Rabbitgoo DTCW006L Dog Harness. This is another no choke/no pull vest that has a durable D-ring on the chest and backplate. This is great for aggressive pullers as the font hook gives you more control, and your pooch will not pull with as much force.

Available in sizes ranging from small to X-large, you should note that the heavier design is not suited for toy or small breeds. There are also six colors to choose from; each one with reflective material for nighttime excursions.

This harness comes with four adjustable straps, two durable buckles, and breathable, weather-proof nylon fabric. Be advised though, you will have to hand wash this material. Your pup will not get any chafing from the soft material, however.

The last feature we want to mention on the Rabbitgoo is the back control handle. Although this is a great asset, especially for pups that are eager to run, this particular grip is narrow. It can be painful on your hand if you have to use it often, and the stitching is known to let go at the worst possible moments.

Cons
  • Not recommended for small dogs
  • Heavy
  • The control handle is narrow and not durable
Pros
  • Durable material
  • Chest and back D-ring
  • Durable buckles
  • Weather-resistant
  • Reflective material

EcoBark Classic Dog Harness

EcoBark Classic

The EcoBark Classic Dog Harness comes in ten colors you can choose from, plus X-small, small, medium, and large sizes. This non-toxic pup vest has a padded chest, double-layered durable construction, and custom stitch coverings that prevent soft skin from being rubbed raw.

This option is weather-resistant and escape-resistant. The EcoBark is eco-friendly and makes its adjustable straps out of recycled plastic bottles. Not only that, but the overall harness is hypoallergenic.

Something to keep in mind, this vest is better suited to small and medium-sized breeds. Also, the buckles are not as secure as some other products in this category. Beyond that, though, the durable D-ring is trustworthy, and you will have no problem getting the vest on and off your pet.

Cons
  • Recommended for small and medium dogs
  • Buckles are not durable
Pros
  • Custom stitch covers
  • Padded chest
  • Easy to use
  • Durable material hypoallergenic
  • Eco-friendly

Copatchy Reflective Adjustable Dog Harness

Copatchy

Our next model is the Copatchy Reflective Adjustable Dog Harness. As the name states, this option has a good amount of reflection, and it is perfect if you like night walks. This is a sponge filled vest that is meant to be no pull and no choke. The downside is the horizontal chest strap can ride up around your pup’s neck.

The design of the chest strap also makes it easy for your pup to hop out of the harness if it is not put on properly. It is also not the easiest to get on and off; although not the worst.

The Copatchy features a control handle and two adjustable straps. It comes in sizes ranging from XX-small to X-large for all breeds, and your choice of black, blue, red, green, and pink. Unfortunately, this is another vest where the buckles tend to stick and are not as durable as we would like. What’s more, the D-ring is not properly stitched to the fabric and often comes loose.

The overall fabric is lightweight and durable, yet the rubbing and horizontal strap can cause chafing on your puppy’s underarms.

Pros
  • Lightweight and durable fabric
  • Reflective material
  • Control handle
  • Padded
Cons
  • Buckles stick
  • D-ring is not secure
  • Causes chafing
  • Hard to use
  • Can cause choking

ThinkPet Reflective Puppy Vest Harness

ThinkPet PD20004-1-M-BU

The ThinkPet PD20004-1-M-BU Reflective Puppy Vest Harness is a great option if you live in a warmer climate. The lightweight, soft, and breathable fabric is not only durable but can be submerged in water to keep your pup cool. The material traps the water between its layers, providing a cool surface.

That being said, you want to be sure the vest is completely dry after use, otherwise, it can develop mildew and a musty odor. On a different topic, the nylon straps are adjustable and secured with two buckles. Unfortunately, the stitching on the straps and buckles leaves much to be desired. They can easily rip and allow your pet to break free.

Another issue with the buckles is they can stick, and they will not lock into place correctly. This makes getting the harness on and off more difficult. On the other hand, there is reflective piping and material throughout the structure, plus there are no fraying or harsh edges to cause chafing to the skin.

The ThinkPet comes in six sizes and nine different colors. It has durable D-rings to attach your leash, although it falls prey to the same stitching issue as the other hardware on the vest.

Cons
  • Stitching is not secure
  • Buckles stick
  • Hard to use
  • Potential for mold and mildew
Pros
  • Reflective material
  • Water absorbing cool material
  • Durable D-ring
  • Soft and comfortable material
Didog Adjustable Mesh Vest Harness
Didog FZHJ026PI-S

In the second to last spot, we have the Didog FZHJ026PI-S Adjustable Mesh Vest Harness. If you are looking for an option whose primary focus is cuteness, this is a good choice. The vest comes in two styles; either pink with tiny strawberries or gray with tiny flowers. It also features a tiny bell on the front, a lace lined peplum collar, and a matching leash.

Due to the design, however, this is an option that is typically used for female dogs, and although it comes in small, medium, and large, it is meant for small and toy breeds only. Furthermore, for all the cuteness it has, there is a distinct lack of security.

Although it is advertised as a step in harness, the Didog goes over the head, and it is very hard to get on and off. There is only one adjustable strap in the back that uses a metal pinch clasp that you would typically find on the back of a canvas baseball hat. The clasp is not only unreliable, but it also cuts into the skin of your pet.

Beyond that, the material is stiff and uncomfortable, plus it will cause chafing if it is worn too long. There is no reflective material, the stitching is weak, and your pooch will likely escape. To give some credit, the overall fabric itself is durable, yet the stitching makes the D-ring unsecure at best. Finally, the sizes tend to be off, and they are either too big or too small than what is specified.

Pros
  • Cute design
  • Durable fabric
Cons
  • Uncomfortable and will chafe
  • Adjustment is not secure
  • Hard to use
  • Stitching is weak
  • Recommended for small and toy breeds

INVENHO Mesh Harness

INVENHO

The INVENHO Mesh Harness is an interestingly designed option that is better suited for smaller breeds with small heads-seriously. This vest doesn’t have an opening around the neck, which means the neck and head measurement must be the same for it to fit properly. If your puppy has a larger snout or ears, this is not going to be a good option for you.

Beyond that, the INVENHO comes in X-small, small, and medium, plus pink, red, blue, or black. The nylon straps are adjustable, although the overall fabric is not as durable as other options. The vest also has 3M reflective material running through it for visibility in low light.

A few other aspects of this harness you want to consider are the flimsy plastic buckles and the stiff material that can irritate your pooches skin. Also, as we mentioned with the fit, it can be hard to get on and off. Finally, the D-ring, while durable, is not attached well via the fabric and stitching. To end on a positive note, though, the INVENHO comes with a leash and seat belt attachment.

Cons
  • Can cause chafing
  • Fit is difficult
  • Hard to use
  • Fabric is not durable
  • Buckels are flimsy
Pros
  • 3M reflective material
  • Comes with a leash and car safety strap
  • Adjustable

Pawtitas Pet Adjustable Puppy Harness

Pawtitas

Our final option is the Pawtitas Pet Adjustable Puppy Harness that comes in an X-small, small, medium, and large size, although, it is better suited for small dogs. It is made of high-grade nylon that is easy to rip and tear if it is caught on anything harder than your hand. Available in eleven colors, this is a no-pull/no choke option.

This harness is designed to be stepped into, pulled up, and attached in the back with one buckle; like a bra, so to speak. The trouble with the construction is that it’s hard to get on as your puppy will need to stand still while you position their legs and adjust the straps. Speaking of adjustment, this is done only on one side, so it can be lopsided and uncomfortable. What’s more, it can chafe.

Another problem you should be aware of is the chest plate sits very low. If your pup pulls or squirms, the vest will easily slide down and allow your pet to hop right out. Furthermore, the back buckle is not secure, and the double D-ring that holds the two straps together (in conjunction with the buckle) is easily ripped off, as well.

On top of the problems already mentioned, there is no reflection on the material, the stitching is weak, and the harness gets tangled easily. To end on a bright note, however, the Pastitas harness has black nickel hardware. Overall, though, this is our least favorite puppy harness.

Cons
  • Fabric is not durable
  • No reflect
  • Gets tangles easily
  • Hard to use
  • Can easily escape
  • Uncomfortable and causes chafing
Pros
  • Black nickel hardware
  • No choke

Buyer’s Guide

Important Things to Know: Sizing Your Puppy

Now that you know what types of puppy harnesses are available, we can move onto the next important step which is figuring out what size you will need. Using an ill-fitting vest can be uncomfortable for your pup, plus it can allow them to break free.

Determining the correct size for a puppy is more or less the same as getting measurements for an adult dog with one major difference… With a puppy, you are most likely going to have a snarling, rambunctious, nipping ankle-biter that does not stay still unless they are out cold. With an adult dog, you at least have a chance of a calm pooch.

Not to worry, though. We will go over the measurements you need as well as some helpful hints for getting the job done with as much patience as possible. First, though, let’s take a look at the measurements you’ll need:

Measuring Your Puppy

  • Weight: Weight is not always going to be needed, but is more likely to be a factor with puppy harnesses than adult dogs. Many smaller harnesses are meant for specific size breeds. For example, you may find an option that is recommended for small dogs, yet still has six size options. The weight restrictions will give you an idea of whether the vest will be right for you.
  • Neck: You will need to get your pup’s neck measurement. You want to get the diameter just above the collar bone and below where their collar would normally sit. As a guide, you can keep the collar on when measuring, so you know the correct spot.
  • Legs: This is optional, but important. Puppy skin is very sensitive, and the fabric from a harness can chafe their underarms. Try to measure your furball horizontally from armpit to armpit. When choosing a vest, pick one that gives a good amount of room between the chest plate and underarms to avoid chafing.

Do you need a harness for a pitbull? Take a look at our top ten harnesses for this highly active breed. The options are all durable plus adjustable, letting the vest grow with your pup!

Tips For Getting It Done Quickly & Accurately

Now that you know what measurements you need, you are probably skeptical about getting it done without a full-on scuffle with your furbaby. Take a look at these tips for measuring your pet quickly and accurately.

  • Tape measure: The first tip is not to use a measuring tape. Yes, it’s true! Even a fabric tape measure is going to be difficult to read when your furball is intent on getting loose. Instead, use a soft string or shoelace. Tie it around their waist at the widest point. Then, you can either mark the string where it ties or CAREFULLY snip it off at the knot. Once off, you can compare it to a ruler. This way, you can take your time and get the measurement in stages. Be advised: This is only a good idea for the chest, though. NEVER tie a string or anything else around your pet’s neck unless it is a collar. However, we do have a tip for the neck …
  • The Neck: A simple way to get your pup’s neck measurement is to find the distance between where the collar sits and the collar bone. Then, measures their collar. For example, if your collar is 12 inches round, and there is 1.5 inches from where the collar sits to the collar bone, you should add 12 and 1.5. This will give you a pretty accurate harness neck measurement.
  • Eating: Another great trick is to measure while your pup is eating their dinner. First, make sure you use fabric tape for ease of use. Also, many puppies are opt to eat while sitting or in a half laying pose. Try putting their dish on a platform just below their nose, so they will stand up. Then, while your furry friend is focused on chowing down, you can quickly get the numbers you need.
  • Get Help: Our last tip is a fairly obvious one, but a tip not many pet parents utilize for fear of seeming high maintenance or ill-equipped for a puppy. The tip, ask your vet for help. Most vets and vet techs will be happy to assist you, as they are aware of the effects a poorly fitting harness can have. Reach out to get assistance, or swing by if you are in the neighborhood.

Conclusion

We hope our reviews have helped you narrow down the search for a puppy harness. Now that you have a cute furball in your life, you want to focus on playing and snuggling versus analyzing the different options for pet care.

If you want the very best of the best, go with the PUPTECK PH009-006 No Pull Dog Harness that will keep your pooch safe and secure. If you need a more affordable option, the Pawaboo Puppy Dog Safety Vest Harness is the best for the money.

Edward Hollon is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Edward has been writing for petdii for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Edward has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Edward knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.