Table of Contents
- The challenge of walking a Pitbull
- Collar vs. harness
- How to stop your Pitbull from pulling
- What if my Pitbull doesn’t stop pulling?
- How to choose the right harness for Pitbulls to stop pulling
- Harness for Pitbulls to stop pulling – Top 3 Options
- RUNNERS-UP
- YOGADOG Heavy-Duty Dog Harness
- Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness
- Final words
Pitbulls have stocky and muscular bodies, which is why they are strong pullers. This is also the same reason why standard collars aren’t suitable for these strong doggos. It will only result in neck injuries and choking, so we always recommend the best harness for Pitbulls to stop pulling. Through this accessory, you can disperse the force all over your pets’ chest to prevent pulling related injuries.
PITBULL HARNESS | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
Babyltrl No Pull Big Dog Harness | Check Price | ||
YOGADOG Heavy- Duty Dog Harness | Check Price | ||
Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness | Check Price |
Pitties love exploring their surroundings and they often use their strong bodies to get their own way. But as the pet owner and alpha, you should have full control over your doggo, especially if other canines and people are around.
The challenge of walking a Pitbull
It’s true that Pitbulls aren’t for novice owners. One reason for this is their bold personality and very strong bodies. Aside from that, they have deep chests and stocky necks which aren’t suitable for standards collars.
Also, whenever a Pittie goes outdoors, it becomes overexcited. This will lead to endless pulling, which is detrimental to both the owner and the dog. The owner might sustain injuries along the way, which is the same as the dog’s neck.
We’ve seen a lot of Pitbulls land in emergency rooms due to neck lesions and wounds. It’s usually due to prong collars made to tighten when the pooch tries to pull. Worse, there are sharp studs that will bury into their skin.
So to prevent this, harnesses become the best choice. It has a bigger material than collars, but it’s still attachable to the leash.
Collar vs. harness
Aside from thick necks, Pitbulls have thin coats. With this, collars can easily chafe their neck, which could lead to open wounds. If not addressed, these wounds will become worse and harbor infections.
Nevertheless, collars are still fine for Pitbulls as long as it’s worn for identification and not for leashing. Still, you should remove the collar after a few hours. All dogs, not just Pitbulls, aren’t supposed to wear collars 24/7. At some point, this will cause their neck area to go bald.
Considering that Pitbulls are pullers, harnesses are the way to go. Instead of encircling the neck, the material wraps around the doggo’s chest and upper back. This way, when it pulls, the force is dispersed throughout their upper body. This spares the neck from potential injuries.
Also, a harness for Pitbulls to stop pulling offers better control, especially if you’re walking your dog. Instead of pulling them back through the neck, you’re applying the force on the strongest areas of their bodies.
How to stop your Pitbull from pulling
Not all Pitbulls pull hard, but most of them do. So if you have a Pittie or planning to own one, this is one of the behavioral problems you’d have to address. The following are some helpful tips to reduce the pulling habit:
-Perform leash training early
Once your pup is old enough to get all of the required shots from the vet, it’s time to start leash training. Some would even start as early as eight weeks old when the puppy has been fully weaned from its mother.
The problem with a Pitbull’s pulling habit is that it won’t be fixed by simply pulling back. This process only triggers the dog to fight back your force, which will lead to more problems.
It’s important to get your doggo accustomed to leash walking at an early age. You wouldn’t want to wait until the canine has strong muscles and a large build before you’ll try to hinder their pulling habits.
-Practice their attention
Whenever a Pittie exits the house, it will become excited and ready to take on the world. This is why they will try to get their own way.
As part of leash training, your Pittie must pay attention when you call its name. If the pooch tries to pull, call its name, and make sure that it’s keeping eye contact with you.
-Don’t let your doggo have its way
You should never tolerate the pulling habit by allowing your dog to lead the way. When your Pittie pulls, try to call it, and go to a different direction. If the doggo refuses the follow, stop on your tracks and wait until it turns to you. When the dog calms down, reward it with a small treat or a piece of kibble.
After that, continue walking and stop whenever the dog tries to pull. Once your dog calms down and walks beside you, that’s the time that you can go wherever it wants to. This is to teach your pooch that it can explore the neighborhood only if it behaves well.
-Reward them when they stop pulling
Whenever your dog stops pulling after calling its name, always give it with a small reward. That way, they will know that behaving gets them a snack while pulling doesn’t get them anything.
Also, in the same note, never use violence or punishment to correct the pulling behavior. In the long run, hitting your dog will only lead to more problems.
What if my Pitbull doesn’t stop pulling?
If all of the mentioned tips don’t seem to work for your headstrong Pitbull, you may need to tap the help of a dog trainer. A professional dog trainer can help you figure out what’s wrong with your dog. They will also show you how to deal with pulling and how you should react when the dog tries to get its way.
Take note that even with professional training, it’s important that you are involved. This way, you can form a good habit and your dog will associate it with you.
How to choose the right harness for Pitbulls to stop pulling
Aside from teaching your dog to prevent pulling, it will also help to get the right harness for Pitbulls to stop pulling. This way, your pooch will not sustain injuries as you try to correct their improper leashing position. So before you put your money on a harness, make sure that you have considered the following points:
-Measure the right size
It’s important to size up any dog accessory before you purchase it. For harnesses, measure the chest of your Pitbull on its widest portion, which is usually a few inches behind the front legs. It’s best to add a few inches to the initial measurement to allow movement and potential weight gain. Next, measure the neck circumference of your dog.
Once you have the measurements, compare this to the sizing chart of the manufacturer. Get the one that’s closest to your dog’s size. If the harness is adjustable, we recommend getting one that’s bigger with an extra inch or two.
-Check the material
Most dog harnesses nowadays are made with a neoprene padding, a polyester webbing, and nylon mesh for breathability. Neoprene padding is the most comfortable as it prevents chafing on your dog’s chest.
Aside from that material, you should also check how durable the construction is. For Pitbulls, we always look for double stitching and thick materials.
-Look for accessories and attachments
For a harness for Pitbulls to stop pulling, we recommend that you look for a handle so you can easily retrieve your dog. Also, look for a D-ring where you can attach the leash. Some harnesses will come with two D-rings, one in front and one at the back. Nevertheless, one at the back should be fine.
-Prioritize the comfort level
Aside from the looks, material, and accessories, the harness should be comfy for your pooch. One way to check this is by reading customer reviews. For sure, they will tell you about how their dogs do with the harness, the issues they have, and so on.
Take note that all dogs will be reluctant to wear a harness for the first time. It’s just a matter of getting them used to it. However, if you’re noticing that your pooch has a weird gait while on the harness for months, it’s possible that the size or adjustments aren’t right.
Also, always check your dog’s skin and coat to spot any irritation that could come from the harness’ material.
-Consider the style and look
This isn’t a big deal, but for your enjoyment as the pet owner, you can choose the color and design that you want. Dog harnesses are available in various colors and prints.
-Check the price tag
Lastly, check how much the harness is. A decent harness shouldn’t be too cheap, but not too expensive either that it will cost you an arm and a leg. Anyway, if you need to pay a few more bucks for quality, splurging a little shouldn’t be a waste of money. Besides, it guarantees that you’ll get a durable harness for your dog.
Harness for Pitbulls to stop pulling – Top 3 Options
OUR TOP PICK: Babyltrl No Pull Big Dog Harness
Product Name: Babyltrl No Pull Big Dog Harness
Product Description: Our top pick for Pitties is the Babyltrl No Pull Big Dog Harness. It suits chest girth sizes between 22 to 35 inches together with adjustable straps. Also, it bears a no-pull design which prevents choking on your dog’s neck and chest. On top, this harness comes with a sturdy harness as well as a D ring where you can attach the leash and a dog ID.
Offer price: 14
Currency: USD
Availability: InStock
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Quality
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Construction
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Value for Money
Overall
Summary
Moreover, this harness is made from breathable nylon Oxford material which is a combination of durability and comfort for your doggo. This is also lightweight, fast-drying, and easy to wash.
Also, we love that it comes with reflector strips which come handy at night when you’re walking your doggo.
Pros
✔️Comes with reflective strips
✔️Made with breathable nylon Oxford material
✔️Lightweight but durable
Cons
❌The sizing can be a bit off
RUNNERS-UP
YOGADOG Heavy-Duty Dog Harness
If you’re looking for a harness with a longer handle, you should consider the YOGADOG Heavy-Duty Dog Harness. This harness suits dogs with chest girth between 26.5 to 34 inches. It comes with an elastic handle design which can endure up to 450 lbs. of force.
This harness has comfortable chest padding, nylon-webbed straps, and durable click buckles. This is made for the massive pullers like your Pitbull.
Like the first harness, this one comes with a reflective stitching and a quick-dry nylon material.
We really dig the long handle as it makes stopping a pulling Pittie way easier. And since it’ stretchable, it will not hurt the pooch. If you have a large and muscular dog, then this harness is the one for you.
✔️Made with weatherproof nylon webbing
✔️Made with reflective stitching
❌It’s ideal for dogs with broad shoulders due to its construction
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Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness
Another harness that we recommend is the one from Rabbitgoo. It’s made of nylon Oxford material as well as soft padding to make it comfortable to wear. This is also highly adjustable as it can fit chest girths between 20.5 to 36 inches.
Aside from Pitbulls, this harness fits Labrador Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Akitas, and more.
This Rabbitgoo harness has a durable construction and we also like that it has two D-rings. You can alternate the leash as it suits your dog’s walking habits. Also, you can use it to attach a dog ID.
And just like the two harnesses we reviewed here, Rabbitgoo has reflective strips to keep your doggo visible even during the night. Most of all, this harness is weatherproof, quick-drying, and breathable. That’s all you’d ever want for a durable harness.
✔️Very adjustable to suit various dog breeds
✔️Comes with padded air mesh
❌Challenging to adjust, but it works as advertised
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Final words
The best harness for Pitbulls to stop pulling will help you hinder the improper behavior of your pooch. It’s also a great way to prevent neck injuries and aggression as you teach your Pittie the right way to walk on a leash. It’s more expensive than collars, but it’s definitely worth the splurge. Besides, it’s a one-time purchase that will last long.