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Do you have a dog who has a habit of pulling at their leash every time you’re out for a walk? Maybe they lunge after every squirrel they see or just walk ahead and pull you along. Whatever the case, you can help your pup learn not to pull at their leash with a harness like the Easy Walk Harness.
This harness is excellent for pullers and one of the top harnesses around. If you aren’t familiar with it, we have all the information you need to decide if it is right for your pup. Keep reading!
How Does It Work?
Dog parents probably have at least a passing familiarity with the Easy Walk Harness, as it is been around since 2004. This no-pull harness works to prevent pulling on walks primarily via the martingale loop found on the front of the harness. This loop tightens when a dog lunges at something or begins to pull, putting pressure on the shoulders (but never the neck, as it only crosses the chest!), which helps you redirect them back to walking properly. The ability to clip your pup’s leash to the front of this harness is also helpful, as it allows you to guide them more gently to where they should be.
Don’t get the Easy Walk Harness confused with other no-pull harnesses, though. Not all no-pull harnesses are Easy Walk Harnesses, as “Easy Walk” is a brand name and not a type of harness. It was created in 2004 by a veterinary behaviorist and fits on a dog with two straps—one that goes behind the front legs and another that goes in front of the legs, near the breastbone. It is an incredibly simple harness to put on and take off, but it is highly effective in helping dog parents teach their pups proper leash manners.
What Are the Different Types of Easy Walk Harnesses?
The Easy Walk Harness has two main types which are the original Easy Walk Harness and the Deluxe Easy Walk Harness. However, they also have a different style of harness, which is the Gentle Leader. Each type will be suited to different canines, depending on their needs, so how do you know which type to choose for your pup?
The original Easy Walk Harness is suitable for almost any dog who lunges or pulls at the leash during walks. Because of how it goes across the chest rather than the neck, it ensures that a dog can be easily redirected back to where they need to be with just a bit of gentle pressure. Plus, with the leash clip on the front of the harness, you have more control over your pup.
What’s the difference between the Easy Walk Harness and the Deluxe Easy Walk Harness? The Deluxe version simply offers more reflective strips for when you’re walking your dog in low light or at night, as well as extra padding for more comfort. This harness would work well for those who typically walk their dogs in the evenings or for canines who are sensitive to having things against their skin, as the extra padding should help them be more comfortable.
Finally, there’s the Gentle Leader, which differs from both the Easy Walk Harnesses. How so? The Gentle Leader is a head collar rather than a harness. So, it goes over the head and rests against the nose, encouraging dogs not to pull. It isn’t a muzzle, though! Your dog can still drink, eat, and even play catch while wearing this. The Gentle Leader is suited for those pups who require you to have a bit more control over them. However, this head collar isn’t suitable for dogs with short snouts, like Pugs.
Where Is It Used?
You can use the Easy Walk Harnesses or Gentle Leader in any number of situations. The main situation where this product would be used would be while walking your dog, of course. But these harnesses can also come in handy when you want more control over your dog at the vet’s office or the dog park. So, in any situation where you need to walk your dog or ensure that you can properly keep your pup under control, the Easy Walk Harnesses would be useful.
Advantages of Easy Walk Harnesses
The main advantage of the Easy Walk Harness is that it helps teach a dog not to pull or lunge while they’re on a leash. There are other advantages, though. Another significant advantage of this harness is how simple it is; not only is it easier for you to put this on your dog, but the lack of numerous straps, padding, and so on also means this harness is much comfier for your pup because it will feel as if it is barely there. The fact that this harness goes across the chest instead of the neck is another advantage, as it won’t lead to choking or gagging.
Disadvantages of Easy Walk Harnesses
There aren’t many disadvantages to the Easy Walk Harness. It can be used on pretty much any canine of any size and is one of the top harnesses around. However, there is a risk of the Easy Walk chafing your pup if it isn’t properly adjusted after you put it on. If you don’t fit or fasten it correctly, your dog could end up with chafing in the armpit area (this is especially true for larger breeds!).
Frequently Asked Questions
You might have a few other questions about this line of harnesses, so here are some of the things people ask most often.
How do I know what size harness to order?
First, measure your dog’s chest and then girth. Once you have those measurements, look for the harness that has the necessary measurements.
Are these harnesses machine washable?
It’s recommended that you wash the Easy Walk harnesses by hand, then let air dry.
Is this harness escape-proof?
Whether a dog can escape a harness depends greatly on their determination to get loose, but the Easy Walk Harness has quick-release buckles on the belly straps and on the shoulder, as well as four adjustment points to help prevent escape.
A Quick Look
Here’s a quick look at the Easy Walk Harness, Deluxe Easy Walk Harness, and Gentle Leader!
Easy Walk Harness
This harness is designed for almost any canine who loves to pull and tug at their leash during walks. Because of the design of this harness a dog learns not to pull on their leash, but without getting choked in the process. This harness also gives you plenty of control over your pup. The main downside to the Easy Walk Harness is that it can cause chafing in the armpit area if not properly adjusted.
- Helps dogs not to pull
- Gives you more control
- Doesn’t choke your pup
- May cause chafing
Deluxe Easy Walk Harness
This harness is nearly identical to the original Easy Walk Harness. The difference here is that the Deluxe Easy Walk has added reflective strips so your pup can be seen at night and in low light, as well as more padding to make the harness more comfortable. Other than that, it’s pretty much the same: it keeps dogs from pulling and gives you greater control over your pet. The biggest downside to the Deluxe Easy Walk is that it only goes up to a size large, so giant breeds are out of luck, and it seems not to hold up well to pups who are heavy chewers.
- Reflective strips
- Extra padding
- Helps pups not to pull
- Giant breed dogs can’t use
- Not for heavy chewers
Gentle Leader
This head collar helps canines not to pull by putting pressure on the snout. However, it isn’t a muzzle and still allows a dog to eat, drink, and more. This harness gives you even more control over your pup when needed, such as on vet visits. However, dogs with short snouts can’t use this harness, so it isn’t suitable for every dog.
- Allows dog to still open mouth
- Keeps pups from pulling
- Gives you greater control when needed
- Not for dogs with short snouts
Conclusion
The Easy Walk Harness is an extremely popular dog harness as it helps to keep dogs from tugging, pulling, and lunging while on their leash. Unlike some harnesses, this one doesn’t choke or gag a canine, as it goes across the chest rather than the neck. You also get a few options with this brand, as you can choose from the original, the Deluxe Easy Walk Harness, or the Gentle Leader, which works a bit differently. All options are simple to use, though, and quite effective!
Featured Image Credit: CandyRetriever, Shutterstock
