If you have a dog that pulls on-leash like mine, then you, too, likely leave your walks feeling like Stretch Armstrong. My 43-pound lab/terrier mix, Roo, may be medium in size, but when she wants to get to something exciting, she garners the strength of a burly Husky.
As a pet products reporter, I've tested some of the best no-pull dog harnesses on the market in a quest to see if any could help Roo's sled-dog pulling ways. In my journey, I discovered the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort Harness and found it to be an excellent option for dogs who pull. It's comfortable, well-fitting, and most of all, effective in reducing the likelihood of leaving walks with Jello arms.
The PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort Harness is a good choice for dogs of all sizes, thanks to its adjustability and comfortable padding.
What we like
What we don't like
How it works
The PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort Harness features an H-style design that goes over the head and clears a dog's shoulders and front legs, allowing for free range of movement. It has five points of adjustment — two around the neck, two around the waist, and one at the chest — for a secure fit. The top and bottom of the harness connect in the back via adjustable straps on each side with sturdy, plastic, quick-release buckles. Polyester foam padding around the neck, chest, and back provides added comfort, and a fabric handle at the top gives pet parents extra leverage.
Like many no-pull dog harnesses, the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort features a front leash attachment in the form of a stainless steel D-ring. However, what makes this harness stand out is its nylon martingale loop at the chest that tightens when a dog pulls. This gentle pressure is what helps deter pulling instead of relying solely on the D-ring to turn a dog toward their handler. There's also a second D-ring at the back, but this leash attachment is for less structured walks, like long-leash sniffs in environments and situations where it's okay if your dog tugs a bit.
Available in four sizes to fit chests ranging from 13 to 42 inches, this PetSafe no-pull dog harness comes in extra-small, small, medium, and large. There are also four different colors to choose from, including black, blue, pink, and green.
Our review of the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort Harness
I followed the brand's size guide for Roo's measurements and ordered a medium, which fit her perfectly. The straps were easy to adjust, allowing the harness to lie snug against her frame without shifting from side to side. In the past, I've struggled to find the right fit for other harnesses, which have rubbed against Roo's elbows and caused some chaffing. After using the harness for several months, we haven't encountered this issue at all, even when the harness gets wet during river romps.
The soft, flexible padding also fits comfortably against her body, unlike the stiffer cardboard-like padding of other harnesses I've used. Before the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort, our two harnesses of choice were the Ruffwear Front Range Harness, which features bulkier padding, and the Ruffwear Hi & Light, which doesn't really have any padding, but has a superb fit. The PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort offers the perfect blend of those two harnesses, providing just the right amount of padding with a custom fit.
When it comes to pulling, I was impressed by how effective the martingale loop is in stopping it. Every time I attach the leash to the front, Roo walks perfectly in a loose leash. The gentle tightening adds enough pressure to prevent Roo from pulling without turning her to the side and affecting her gait too much.
Even though I prefer to walk Roo in quiet areas with a long leash clipped to the back of the harness so she has more freedom to explore, I appreciate having the option to prevent pulling. This extra control comes in handy when we're out in public and I need to keep her close to help manage her reactivity. Having her by my side, instead of up ahead, keeps her engaged with me, so we can play our training games to get past triggers, like other dogs. It's also an excellent tool to assist with working around distractions or improving our leash skills.
Most importantly, Roo is extremely prey-driven, and on days when her brain goes out the window because she's caught scent of a critter, this harness saves my arms and her joints. The construction has also held up well to her wild antics, but I wouldn't trust the handle as an extra grip if she were really lunging after an animal.
Because Roo is such a rowdy adventurer, she loves rolling in the grass and dirt and splashing through mucky marsh water. Fortunately, the harness is relatively easy to clean. It requires hand-washing, but dirt comes off quickly. Since it's padded, it will take longer to dry than a strappy design, but thankfully, it doesn't retain odors like extra-thick padded harnesses.
The cons
You'll have to place this harness over your dog's head to put it on. Roo and I spent hours working on harness handling as a puppy, so she's desensitized to this aspect. However, more sensitive dogs might struggle with it.
While the padding isn't super bulky, it is on the thicker side and could be too warm for some dogs when temperatures are high, especially dogs like Roo with thicker, double coats. On hotter days, I switch to a harness with minimal or no padding to prevent her from overheating.
If your dog sheds, expect to deal with fur collecting in the soft interior of the harness. And, while overall, the materials are good, some of the more delicate areas, like the small, soft loops that hold the straps in place, will show wear over time.
Alternatives to consider
Large dogs and super pullers may need additional features that the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort Harness doesn't provide. For more padded protection, the Ruffwear Front Range features thick, durable padding on the chest and belly. If you need a strong handle that won't budge, the PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness has a wide handle that runs horizontally across the back.
For dogs with a long, thick coat or breeds that overheat easily, a lightweight, breathable strappy harness, like the Blue-9 Balance or PetSafe 3-in-1, may be a better choice.
The bottom line
For a no-pull dog harness that actually works, the Easy Walk Comfort delivers. Its innovative martingale loop is highly effective in gently preventing pulling without restricting a dog's natural movement. For pet parents desperate to save their arm sockets, this harness is a must-have addition to their walking gear.
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