Please stop me wasting money on harnesses

[Newpupsoon]

Hi, my puppy is only 11 weeks and I have already bought two harnesses. I actually have a true love one as well but it’s too big still.
I bought a little Pets at Home one but as my puppy was running about and pulling (not pulling excessively, she’s only little) the harness was getting bigger and I was scared of her getting out of it.
I took that back and bought an ezydog one which seemed to fit better. Again though, it gets bigger as she pulls on it and she actually managed to get one leg out in the car.
As it stands I just keep tightening it back up every so often so that she’s safe.
Does this happen with all harnesses? Is it just that they don’t suit my puppy? Should I try a collar instead?
TIA

[BiteyShark]

If my dog pulls on the harness it will be bigger where he pulls. It's important to fit it correctly so I make sure it's tight but I can get two fingers around it so it's not too tight.

If you are worried about them escaping look at things such as perfect fit harnesses but I know my dog in his ezdog quick fit harness would not be able to escape from it just like he can't from his perfect fit one (I have multiple for different types of walks).

As your puppy grows you will have to adjust the sizing but it's important you get the adjustments right at the beginning. The fact that he can get one leg out easily sounds like it isn't adjusted correctly.

[RhymesWithOrange]

I always used a harness on my dog when he was younger. Never had any problems with them. I think the brand was Love Puppy.

He's v old now so just lollops about, no longer any need for one.

[RhymesWithOrange]

I always used a harness on my dog when he was younger. Never had any problems with them. I think the brand was Love Puppy.

He's v old now so just lollops about, no longer any need for one.

[StillMedusa]

I'd wait until she is bigger tbh.. what sort of dog is she?
My pup is 12 weeks old and has only been going outside for a week as here the vaccinations are completed at 10 weeks. I got a Julius k9 harness from Amazon, purely because my brother's dog has one so I knew how to put it on! It only needs one clip done up (it pops over the head and we trained her to like that with chicken..now she gets so excited when she sees it she just dives in) Once fitted.. adjustable velcro it doesn't budge.

It's not perfect however and I don't like the piece across the front.. I will get her a Perfect Fit one once she is older, but expect to go through a few cheaper ones while she grows.
Are you teaching her to loose lead walk? That is probably more important than the actual style of harness? I go everywhere with high value treats (Asda's thin chicken strips dog treats as they are soft so even a young pup can eat them) and reward her as we walk..if she glances at me.. treat... so she is rapidly learning if she stays by my side, chicken happens! It's a work in progress but she is learning very quickly (unless she sees a pigeon then forget it!)

I've gone for a harness because my puppy is going to be a big dog and I feel safer with a harness than having to potentially pull on her neck if something unexpected happens but lots of people get on fine with a collar (I just don't trust that she couldn't slip it!)
You can just about see Orla's under her fuzz here... (with my son , he has autism and having a puppy has brought SO much joy into his life )

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've had a Ruffwear harness since my dog was 12 weeks. Doesn't stretch.

Dog now 3, it's washed every week, used constantly- perfect condition

Yes, expensive (£50) but clearly lasts forever

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've had a Ruffwear harness since my dog was 12 weeks. Doesn't stretch.

Dog now 3, it's washed every week, used constantly- perfect condition

Yes, expensive (£50) but clearly lasts forever

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've had a Ruffwear harness since my dog was 12 weeks. Doesn't stretch.

Dog now 3, it's washed every week, used constantly- perfect condition

Yes, expensive (£50) but clearly lasts forever

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've had a Ruffwear harness since my dog was 12 weeks. Doesn't stretch.

Dog now 3, it's washed every week, used constantly- perfect condition

Yes, expensive (£50) but clearly lasts forever

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've had a Ruffwear harness since my dog was 12 weeks. Doesn't stretch.

Dog now 3, it's washed every week, used constantly- perfect condition

Yes, expensive (£50) but clearly lasts forever

[Jouska]

Make sure the harness has a v at the chest and not a cross chest strap. Cross chest straps restrict the shoulder movement and growth . You will grow through several harnesses until they are fully grown

A perfect fit is expensive but you can buy bits of it as the dog grows. They should not reshape is the dog pulls and your dog should not be able to remove a leg from the harness

[Floralnomad]

We use an Indi dog Houdini , made to measure and wash and wear beautifully also definitely no slippage - we had that problem with a Julius K9 previously .

[missbattenburg]

I used Perfect Fit as they are modular so you can switch out one bit at a time, depending on how the dog has grown. Each piece also has some leeway to make bigger/smaller.

I still love it.

[ThomasFurious]

@StillMedusa. Your puppy 💕

[ThomasFurious]

OP difficult to advise without a puppy picture.

[PeoniesarePink]

Both of mine have got Ruffwear. They aren't cheap but they can't back out of them and I use them for both walking and securing in the car.

They regularly go through the washing machine and seem to have tolerated a lot of chewing from the puppy. I think she was around 16 weeks when I got hers and it still fits now she's 9 months.

Given your pups age, get a cheap one for the next few weeks as they grow so rapidly but it needs to be a really secure fit.... buy to fit now, not grow into if that makes sense.

[Newpupsoon]

This is the type of harness. That bit goes on her chest. She seems comfy in it and it fits well according to the YouTube how to fit a harness thing. The adjuster bits adjust themselves as she pulls. That’s the problem.
She only wears it in the car or if she wants a run around the front garden. She’s not allowed out for walks for another two weeks as she’s only just had her last jab.
I’ll have a look at some of the ones you’ve suggested.
@StillMedusa your puppy is so cute!

[EnidPrunehat]

Best harness I've had so far for my 7 month old lurcher was a Ruffwear. Had been reduced to a more reasonable £30 since it'd been returned for no apparent reason by a previous customer. Personally I'm not at all keen on Julius K9 harnesses for reasons starting with the ridiculously overt branding and going through to the fact that they restrict the shoulder area. But then lurchers are a notoriously Funny Shape.

Most of the time I walk dPup on a lead clipped to his hound collar but I've put a lot of work into his ability to walk nicely although I still use a harness for extra security at times and of course to clip him into the car. Spending money on the bloomin' things seems to come with the territory but as his growth seems to be slowing down a bit I'm now planning to get a 'Walk Your Dog With Love' harness next.

[MattMagnolia]

My dog hates his harness but backs out of a collar. I’ve bought numerous harnesses, trying to find one he doesn’t mind and which fits him.
None of them fit well as he’s an odd shape. I heartily dislike the fashionable ones like a saddle on a little dog.

[StinkyDora]

Stinky has a Perfect Fit which is great. Easy to put on and it is adjustable even after buying the 3 parts which can be in different sizes. Even if she pulls really hard, like today when she was desperate to chase rabbits in a field, it holds her firmly and safely.

[Purplecatshopaholic]

I have a ruff wear web master. Quite expensive but blooming brilliant. My boy is comfy and safe