Best Pit Bull Harness for Pulling You Should Definitely Try
Due to their muscular and strong bodies, pit bulls are notorious for pulling. This makes them harder to walk or leash. They have boundless energy and urge to explore their environment. If you’re already taking care of Pitties, you’ll know how yappy they can get during long walks. And instead of using collars that choke, it’s advisable to get the best pit bull harness.
PIT BULL HARNESS | PRODUCT NAME | EXPERT RATING | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
Babyltrl Big Dog Harness | Check Price | ||
Lifepul No-Pull Dog Vest Harness | Check Price |
A no-pull model will make it easier for you to manage their tugging force. It will also be easier for you to keep their focus on the track. However, take note that genetically speaking, pit bulls are naturally powerful. If you’re lanky, you have a lot of obedience training to do if you don’t want your pooch to drag you around.
Why use a harness
First, a dog harness offers more control. Instead of concentrating the force of your pulling on the neck, it will be distributed to the upper body. This gives you better control of their movements.
Dog harnesses reduce the choking force on the neck.
I’ve seen a lot of dogs sustain lacerations due to no-pull collars. Since pit bulls are strong, they are likely to hurt their selves in the process. As their throat gets squeezed, their breathing becomes labored. But if you use a harness, you can diffuse the stress all over the chest and the upper body.
Dog harnesses are also recommendable for pit bulls with neck issues. Since the harness loops around the shoulders, the force will be removed off your pit bulls’ neck.
Harness vs. collar
Collars are the traditional options for dog owners. However, dog experts and trainers recommend that harnesses be used for a good reason.
First, the pit bull harness for pulling defeats one disadvantage that collars have – choking. Instead of concentrating the force on the neck, you distribute it to the body of the dog. Also, if your dog is a massive puller like pit bulls, collars are big hazards. It will choke, chafe, and develop lumps on the neck area.
Even if your Pitty is well-trained, the doggo can get excited during outdoor walks. That means endless pulling on the collar and leash. Although most neck injuries caused by collars aren’t usually serious, continuously subjecting your dogs to the same force will damage their windpipe.
As for chokers and pincher collars, always consider it as the last card. Anything that hurts your pooch isn’t a good idea.
Although some trainers would prefer this type of restraint, it might develop aggression in the long run. Of all dog breeds, you would want to prevent that from happening on Pitties.
Most of the time, pit bull harnesses will come with front attachments. When your doggo tries to pull forward, you can translate the force sideways to catch his attention.
Types of harnesses to choose from
There are different types of dog harnesses you can choose from. Make sure that whatever you prefer, it will be suitable to the pit bull breed that you have:
➕Standard harnesses
This type of harness is best used for small breeds. It basically diffuses the force from the neck to the back and chest. But when it comes to pulling, it offers poor control. Think twice if you’re considering this for your pit bull.
➕No-pull harnesses
For doggos who are massive pullers, the no-pull best pit bull harness does the trick. When the dog tries to pull forward, the loop on the legs will tighten slightly. This will cause discomfort which will discourage the pit bull from dragging the handler around. As much as it’s functional, always pay attention to the size and fabric used. Since the tightening and loosening will rub the skin, make sure that it won’t give rashes or burns.
Top Picks – Pit Bull Harness for Pulling
⭐Babyltrl Big Dog Harness⭐
✔️Girth size: 22-35 inches (large) ✔️No-pull design
✔️Front and back attachments ✔️Easy-buckle feature
✔️Nylon Oxford fabric
Muscular doggos need equally strong harnesses. This piece from Babyltrl is a catch since it’s has a wide range of sizes and a no-pull design that discourages the Pitty from tugging.
It’s also very easy to wear, thanks to its quick snap buckles that can be put on and off even to the yankiest pit bull. No matter how active your dog is, this harness will stay in place.
The Babyltrl harness also has D-rings on the front and back so you have the freedom to experiment with the leashing. You can also use one of the D-rings to attach your dog’s I.D. And if your pooch gets tough, you can pull him away using the nylon handle stitched to the buckles.
As for the material, this harness uses breathable nylon fabric with padding on the chest area. It reduces friction and potential chafing while in use. The harness is lightweight which is easier to get used to on the part of your Pitty. It also has reflective strips for added security if you’re walking the pooch along the street.
Mostly, this harness will fit large dogs like pit bulls, German Shepherds, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, and other similar breeds.
A few caveats:
I wish the D-rings are much thicker. Good thing my pit bull is much less of a puller, but for those who have impulsive doggos, it might be a cause of concern. Anyway, it hasn’t snapped yet even during regular use and sporadic tugging.
⭐Lifepul No-Pull Dog Vest Harness⭐
✔️Sponge collar ✔️Adjustable locks
✔️Back attachment only ✔️No-pull handle
✔️Girth range: 25.5”-43.5”
Looking for more padding? The Lifepul dog harness is the best pit bull harness if you want better cushioning for your dog’s body. Instead of shoulder loops, this one utilizes a thick strap above the chest and just before the neck. This is connected to an equally padded back construction where the attachment and handle are located. Lastly, there’s a thinner strap on the girth to keep the harness in place.
This unique design allows you to take full control over your dog’s tugging even if you have a small build. Since pit bulls can be pullers, this is a big bonus for the handlers. There’s also a nylon handle at the back so you can easily lift and retrieve your dog.
The Lifepul harness uses premium nylon for utmost comfort. Surprisingly, this has the same price with the Babyltrl piece but with far more fabric. It also has a nickel-plated D-ring and an easy-lock buckle attached to the adjustable chest belt. So even if your Pitty grows bigger, there’s no need to purchase another harness.
Overall, this pit bull harness for pulling is best for medium and large dogs like Samoyeds, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, and Retrievers.
A few caveats:
I have no major complaints about this harness. However, it would be perfect if it also comes with an ID tag just like what Babyltrl has. Still, my dog and I can leave without it.
Things to consider when buying a dog harness
Before you purchase the first harness you lay your eyes on, make sure that you consider the following points:
➕The proper fit and size
This is a make-or-break part. A lot of pit bull owners make the mistake of buying either too tight or too loose pieces. What happens is that the dog develops a problematic gait by adjusting its leg position to accommodate the harness. Even if you have a no-pull vest, make sure that it won’t be uncomfortable for your dog.
The rule of thumb is to measure the girth of your dog. This is the area on the chest which ensures that the circumference of the harness will be suitable for your dog’s size.
➕Material
Most dog harnesses use nylon fabric. This is breathable, easy to clean, and far from chafing the skin. Make sure that the material is comfortable and easy on the skin of your pet. If you’re about to purchase another material, do some research about it.
➕Durability
If you have Pitties, the last thing you’d want to buy is a substandard harness that will rip the moment your doggo tugs. Always invest in quality pieces, the one that will endure extreme force. As you know, pit bulls are strong pooches. If they decide to chase a rabbit or follow a scent, the harness should be strong enough to pull them away.
Aside from the construction, check if the metal and fabric material of the pit bull harness for pulling are made to last.
➕Safety
A dog harness shouldn’t cause any physical problem to your dog. Also, it should serve its intended purpose. It’s best to get a piece with reflector strips in case your doggo keeps on wandering in the neighborhood.
➕Style
Although optional, getting the best pit bull harness with added style is a plus point for your purchase. It serves a nice purpose especially if you’re setting a meet-up with other dog owners and their pets.
How pit bulls react to dog harnesses
Just like any dog, your pit bull won’t be happy about the new restraint. They will try to wiggle it out or at some point try to wiggle it out of their bodies. Some Pitties may also try to pull during the first days of trying the harness. Since they probably got used to the collar, this new thing would be uncomfortable.
The key here is the proper introduction which we will discuss later on. But remember that if your Pitty isn’t getting used to the harness for weeks now, there might be a problem with the fit. Your dog might be telling you to take it off because it cuts the circulation on their legs or the material is chafing the skin. Make sure that you factor in all the possible scenarios.
How to introduce the harness to your pit bull
This part can get tricky since harnesses are a new kind of restraint. Expect that your Pitty will try to remove it the first time you put it on. But to make things easier, here are some tips for you:
➕Be casual about it
You don’t have to force it in just to get your dog into the harness. I suggest that you put the harness on the spot your pooch frequents, say his bed or playpen. Let the doggo lick and sniff it. Once he developed familiarity, you can now try slipping it into his body.
➕Start with short sessions
Indeed, practice makes perfect. Put this on your Pitty for an hour then take it off. Soon enough, your dog will get used it.
➕Practice indoors
Don’t ever walk your pit bull the first time you put the pit bull harness for pulling on. Your pooch is guaranteed to give you a hard time. I suggest that you put the harness on and walk him on your yard or around the house. Again, this is about developing familiarity and getting used to things.
➕Treats, treats, treats
One way to lure your pit bull to put on the harness is by giving out yummy treats. However, don’t let this setup linger or your doggo will consider the treats as bribes. Alternate with praise or affection and then slowly ditch the treat.
➕Reward when the doggo stopped pulling
For sure, your Pitty will keep pulling on the first days of trying the harness on. But whenever you pull back and he stopped tugging, give a reward of affection, praise, or food. Soon enough, your pooch will associate good behavior with something in return, not always in the form of treats, by the way.
➕Practice patience
If you have a stubborn pit bull, introducing the harness can be exhausting. There would be lots of whining, barking, scratching, or whatsoever. However, always extend your patience and fight the urge to “bark” back. It won’t do any good.
Choosing the best pit bull harness will help make your morning walks easier to handle. Since Pitties are strong and muscular, you simply can take chance on collars and straps.