The Best Dog Harness for Running and Jogging
Just like you, your beloved dog needs to stay active to enjoy a healthy life, and jogging or running with your dog can provide some amazing mental and physical benefits for both of you. While not all canines love running, those who do can make an amazing exercise partner. But, if you're interested in running alongside your dog, be sure to invest in the best harness for dogs to keep him safe and under your control.
Here are some good options if you're looking for a harness for your dog.
Babyltrl Big Dog Harness
BEST Lightweight
Rated by: Amber
Ruffwear Front Range Harness
BEST OVERALL
Rated by: Amber
EzyDog Quick Fit Dog Harness
Best in Simplicity
Rated by: Amber
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1. Babyltrl Big Dog Harness
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
If you want to train your dog to walk off the leash, you may want to consider buying this comfortable harness for your furry friend. Quite suitable for a large dog with a chest girth up to 35 inches, it works equally well for medium dogs, such as German shepherds, golden retrievers, Rottweiler, and even American bully.
Using it gives you peace of mind because you won't be hurting your dog, as it puts pressure on his chest and not his windpipe. It comes with adjustable straps, so you can alter it for a perfect fit. Putting it on won't be an issue either because it comes with quick snap buckles. The ample locking security means your dog won't slip out of it with ease.
It also comes with a comfortable handle, which is sturdy too. The D-ring leash attachment point also looks quite sturdy, allowing you to control your large dog with ease. It is also quite suitable for running in dim-light conditions because it features 3M reflective trim as well.
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2. Ruffwear Front Range Harness
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
If you want to keep your dog comfortable while running with you, look no further than this harness for your dog. It works amazingly well as an everyday harness and serves you equally well while going on hiking adventures. It keeps your pet comfortable because it's heavily padded in the chest area. The belly panels have enough padding to ensure your dog stays comfortable even when you stop him from pulling.
It is quite lightweight, mainly because of its nylon construction. The use of the breathable material ensures your dog never feels agitated while wearing the harness. It comes equipped with fully adjustable straps, so you can take advantage of four customizable fits to ensure free movement.
The harness is quite durable and extremely easy to maintain – you can hand wash using water and mild detergent. The only issue some people experience is that the harness doesn't fit perfectly in the belly area, so it increases the risk of your dog slipping out of it.
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3. EzyDog Quick Fit Dog Harness
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
For those looking for a no-frills running dog harness, there's no better choice than the one offered by EzyDog. Even with no bells and whistles, it delivers amazing performance and keeps your dog comfortable all the time.
The best thing is that you can adjust it to ensure a proper fit. It is an important point to consider because if a harness is loose, your dog, even if he's not an escape artist, can slip out of it.
No discomfort will come to your dog because it features a neoprene-covered chest strap. It helps keep your dog safe in low light situations with the help of its reflective stitching. The harness is also quite durable and uses sturdy buckles – it has quick-clip buckles, which means you can put it on with utmost ease.
You can use the harness even if you're not looking to train your dog to walk off the leash, thanks to its welded D-ring leash attachment. Interestingly, the attachment is made from stainless steel, so no need to worry about rust or corrosion. Overall, it's a great dog harness for running, but the only minor glitch is the availability of only one attachment point.
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FAQ - A Buyer's Guide
Is a Harness Good for a Dog?
How well a harness works depends on the quality of the harness, the temperament of your dog, and your willingness to help your dog get used to his new gear. Nevertheless, a harness will immediately offer a lot more control over your excited and zesty furry friend. Using a collar may be the obvious choice but it doesn't give you the ability to control big, strong dogs, not at least without hurting them in some ways.
Here are some reasons why a harness is good for your dog:
It offers added safety. You may be using a collar while taking your dog out for a walk or a quick running trip, but you may notice that it is easy for your excited dog to slip his head out of the collar. A pup keen on escaping will always find a way to get out of the collar and if he does that out in public, you may risk getting him hurt too. No-slip dog harnesses work amazingly well because they come with straps and buckles that control your escape artist properly.
It prevents neck injuries. A collar is a more popular option, but it puts serious pressure on the neck of your dog, especially if you have an easily excitable dog that likes to pull. A harness covers an extended area of your dog's body, wrapping around his front limbs, shoulders, and chest, so you won't be hurting him even when he tries to pull away from you. There's no need to worry about squeezing on his windpipe in an effort to keep him from pulling.
It is more suitable than collars for certain breeds. For the same reason of hurting the windpipe, using a collar is never a good idea for smaller breeds, like pugs. In fact, too much leash pressure may even cause their eyeballs to protrude from the sockets. Similarly, a harness is a great choice for dogs with short noses, such as Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, and Pekingnese.
In case your dog already has respiratory problems or your pup is learning to walk off the leash, you can still benefit from using a good dog harness. Just be sure to spend money on a quality harness because your dog may feel itchy in a substandard harness. Moreover, you need to learn to use the harness correctly to discourage pulling, especially with back-clip harnesses that can teach your dog to ignore you completely.
What is the Best Dog Harness for Running?
If you're looking for the best dog harnesses for running, you need to check it for some basic features. For instance:
The best dog harnesses for running are the ones that fit perfectly. A harness is of no use if it's not safe, and you risk the safety of your furry friend by running while the harness gets loose. Remember, a harness that doesn't fit properly will cause injury when you pull the leash to discourage pulling behavior from your dog. Therefore, don't just opt for any of the available harnesses on the market, as the size matters a lot.
Running with your dog is a great experience if the harness he's wearing is durable and strong. It matters more when you have a larger dog breed that is strong and known for pulling, such as Siberian husky. But, don't sacrifice comfort for durability, as you should be going for a lightweight harness only to ensure it doesn't irritate your dog while running. It should come with several adjustment points because it will ensure proper fit as well. Going for a harness made from polyester and fabric may be a good idea because these materials are durable yet lightweight. Similarly, you should ensure that the harness is made from breathable materials – ultra-soft faux suede dog harnesses work quite well here.
You need to pick a harness carefully if you're running with your dog in low light conditions. That’s when styling matters a lot, as you can find dog harnesses with reflective trim. Some dog harnesses even come equipped with rechargeable LED lights, so you don't have to worry about others not noticing your dog running.
If you have a well-behaved dog that likes running, you may like dog harnesses with back leash attachment. It gives them freedom of movement and allows them to feel free while running alongside.
Can a Dog Get Out of a Harness?
Yes, it is possible, but you can find escape-proof dog harnesses to tackle the issue.
Most dogs get used to their harnesses after some time. However, if you use a substandard dog harness that is not comfortable, it is natural for your dog to feel agitated and pull tricks to get out of it. Flighty or nervous dogs are also likely to find a way out of their harness. It's usually true in case of shelter dogs because they're nervous and not accustomed to moving around wearing a harness.
Similarly, you may notice this behavior from leash-averse dogs or pups who are destructive chewers. But, if you have a nervous dog or a prior offender, you can surely tackle the situation with a good harness.
If you don't consider certain points while buying a harness for dog, you may find him get out of it easily. For instance, if a dogs harness is not of the correct size, it's easy for your dog to escape with ease. To avoid this issue, you should buy a harness only after measuring the chest and neck of your dog.
Similarly, you can discourage an escape artist by buying harnesses for dogs that come with some adjustment points. The best dog harness for running comes with multiple adjustable straps. You can use those straps for proper fit even if you failed to take the right measurement in the first place. Buying a dog harness with at least five points of adjustment is a great way to ensure your dog doesn't slip out of the harness.
How Old Should a Puppy Be to Go Running?
It really depends on your puppy, but in most cases, it should be fine to go running with your puppy when he's between 8 and 12 months old.
However, many factors may play a role here. For instance, the readiness of your puppy to enjoy running matters. There's no point in pushing him if he's still too young. Similarly, you should be prepared to wait longer to enjoy running with your pup if you own a larger breed. For larger breeds, you may have to wait longer than 18 months to have fun with your dog running like a happy kid.
An important point to consider is that some breeds are not into running at all. Again, larger breeds shouldn't be pushed hard to run when they're still young because their bones might not be developed enough to take their body weight. Pushing them unnecessarily is only going to damage their joints.
It is true that you should ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise to discourage obesity, but you should wait long enough to test their running skills. And if your puppy likes to run, be sure to find the best dog harnesses for running with appropriate leash attachment to keep him safe outside.
Conclusion
Finding the best running harness matters a lot, as it keeps your dog safe and discourages pulling behavior to some extent. Of course, you need to train him to turn him into a well-behaved dog, but don't try to cut corners when buying a running harness, as keeping your dog comfortable should always be your top priority.