Topic: The Best Dog Harnesses for Hiking of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 40 times)
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Topic: The Best Dog Harnesses for Hiking of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 40 times)
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Plenty of harnesses advertise themselves as no-pull, and most on the market now co*e with a place to attach the leash on the front of the dog’s chest. It’s a great idea, but the utility varies slightly by the harness. After talking with other dog owners, I tried several kinds and found the Easy Walk Harness to be the most effective. The idea behind the chest attachment is that it pulls a dog slightly to the side, preventing your pet from using the full strength of its four legs to drag you forward. It’s a great idea, but if harnesses aren’t adjusted right, the harness can pull awkwardly on a dog’s front leg.
I took my young and exceptionally enthusiastic Labrador on many hikes with this, and while he certainly still pulled, it was much better than attaching to the back of the harness or watching him periodically choke himself on a collar. Our walks have beco*e increasingly pleasant as he realizes he can’t pull with all of his strength.
The first dog pack we used for backpacking years ago was a hand-me-down from my parents when they backpacked with their malamute in the early 70s. It did the trick but was also a pretty basic design. Packs have improved since then, and the Mountainsmith K9 Dog Pack is a great example. It’s still simple—dog packs don’t need to be fancy—but the improvements in the past few decades are notable.
The side panniers are plenty large enough to carry enough food for our 50-pound young dog to go on a six-day backpacking trip. The clips are solid and won’t easily break. The adjustments ensure a snug fit. The material is also sturdy enough to stand up to plenty of scrapes against trees and rocks as he clamored under downfall and through narrow rock crevices. He generally would prefer not to wear it, due more to the extra weight than the pack itself. But it must be co*fortable enough because he didn’t seem to mind having it on for eight+ hours a day.
Be aware the interior material on the panniers is water resistant, but it is not waterproof, which means if your dog goes for a swim or is caught in a serious rainstorm, the food can get soggy if it isn’t contained in something waterproof like Ziplock bags or even a plastic jug.
If you only want to buy one of the best dog harnesses for hiking, and you imagine you will use it for hikes but also early morning or late-night walks, consider the Kurgo On-Trail Run-Lite Vest. The lightweight vest is perfect for warm weather and the reflective strips give you added security that headlights will see your pup. The main feature, which otherwise fits as a standard harness, is the light.
The detachable light sits on the top of the vest and turns on and off by pressing on the light. It not only gave me an additional way to signal to traffic that my dog and I are walking but also helped me keep track of him when we’re walking in dark, winter mornings, especially when I let him off leash.
One of the most annoying parts of hiking or walking with dogs on leashes is holding onto the leash. Even if you have a dog that stays close to you, it’s something you need to hold in your hand. If your dog is not properly leash trained, you risk the dog jerking your arm and throwing you off balance.
The Hitch Hiker Leash solves these problems by attaching the leash to your waste instead of requiring you hold it in your hand. The locking system works well even when repeatedly jerked on by large, strong dogs. One of the main downsides of the system is that it’s not easy to release from your body if your dog starts to pull you off balance. My young dog lunged after a rabbit as I stepped on a piece of ice, and while I managed to retain my balance, I could have seen it ending poorly.
Before you buy a harness, consider your dog’s age and ability as well as your own needs. Is your dog old and walks slowly? If so, you may not need much. But conversely, if you will be in rugged backcountry, you may want a harness with a handle to help your old friend. Do you have a dog who pulls and is working on leash training? Do you live somewhere hot, and you don’t want a full-coverage harness, or somewhere cold and plan to use it in conjunction with a dog jacket?
Pay careful attention to each manufacturer’s fit guide just as you would buying technical clothing for yourself. Use a tailor’s tape measure if you have one. If not, measure with a piece of string and then line it out on a ruler to find the exact measurement.
Harnesses vary widely by price. The cheaper ones may not last as long, but you also may not use the harness that often. If you plan to use a harness for the life of your dog, consider investing in one of the sturdier ones.
No. While your dog may not need a harness, many veterinarians reco*mend you use them. And they are generally a lot nicer. The last time I took Finn, my 1-year-old, into the vet, I left his harness at home and attached the leash to his collar. He was so excited to see other dogs he was repeatedly choking himself on the collar. The technicians reco*mended more than once that I use a harness to keep him more under control and create a safer environment for him. The downside of harnesses for dogs who pull, is if you attach the leash to the back of the harness, it allows them to use their full body strength to pull on you, much like a sled dog. But even that, if you’re prepared, is better for the dog than a collar. And if you have a dog who pulls, attach the leash to the chest loop.
Many are similar, but they do have subtle differences even among harnesses that appear the same. Pay attention to ones that have the best size fit for your dog.
They might! But a harness adjusted properly should quickly beco*e as natural to your pup as his or her collar. If the harness seems to really be bothering your dog, take the time to adjust the straps and be sure it’s not rubbing somewhere.
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Collars are handy enough. Most of us have one on our pups all the time with their jangling tags attached. But for walks, hikes, skis, and other adventures, on or even off a leash, one of the best dog harnesses for hiking is a safer and easier way to go.
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