The 8 Best Escape-Proof Dog Harnesses

Few things are as frustrating (or frightening) as walking a dog who’s dead set on escaping from his harness.

One minute your pup’s safely tethered, and the next minute your escape artist performs his pull-back-arm-tuck maneuver and slides right out!

Fortunately, there are a few escape-proof dog harnesses that are extra secure, and less likely to be slipped during your next walk.

Below, we’ll identify some of our favorites, and point out some other options on the market (as well as one type of harness you should avoid for escape-prone puppers).

The 8 Best Escape-Proof Dog Harnesses

There are a number of harnesses available that will help keep your dog secure and prevent him from escaping.

But it’s important to be a careful canine shopper.

Manufacturers can characterize any harnesses as escape-proof, so you shouldn’t just pick one based on marketing hype. To make matters more confusing, some of the most secure harnesses available are not labeled as “escape-proof”, despite them fitting the bill perfectly.

You’ll just have to dig in, consider your dog’s needs, and try to make the best choice you can. But we’ve tried to give you a great starting point!

1. Ruffwear Web Master Harness

About: Ruffwear makes a number of high-quality harnesses, but the Web Master Harness is one of the best choices for owners of escape-prone dogs. Made with three different straps that encircle your pup’s chest and another that goes between his front legs, this harness is very secure, while still being easy to put on or remove.

Features:

• Extra belly strap, meaning you have 5 points of adjustment for a secure fit
• Padded handle for additional control as needed
• Reflective strips for added visibility in low-light conditions 
• Available in 5 sizes (SS-Small to Large/X-Large) and 3 colors

2. ThinkPet No Pull Harness

About: Exhibiting a kind of “diet-tactical” design concept, ThinkPet’s No Pull Harness will keep your canine secure, while also preventing him from tugging on the leash during walks. A surprisingly well-equipped harness, it comes with padded straps, reflective stitching, and two leash clips, while still being very affordably priced.

Features:

• Made of Oxford fabric, nylon, and EVA 
• Includes 2 metal leash connection points (back and chest)
• Stretchable components absorb shock, preventing arm fatigue
• Available in 5 sizes ranging from small to 2X-large and 8 colors

3. ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness

About: Featuring a military-style design, the ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness is a great option for keeping your dog secure and ready for just about any adventure that comes your way. Made with heavy-duty components, this durable harness is designed to last for years and stand up to your dog’s abuse.

Features:

• Half-body design provides more coverage than standard options
• Comes with 5 adjustment points for a secure fit
• Features both chest and back leash clip points
• Included Velcro sections for attaching patches or gear
• Offered in medium and large sizes and 2 colors (Black and Khaki)

4. Rabbitgoo Escape Proof Dog Harness

About: Rabbitgoo’s Escape Proof Dog Harness features a pretty common escape-proof harness design, and it comes with two quick-release buckles and five adjustable points to achieve a snug fit. It also comes with two back control handles (which are oriented in parallel and perpendicular fashion), and it’s made with reinforced metal leash clip points for your peace of mind.

Features:

• Made of weatherproof nylon and breathable mesh
• The 3-strap design helps to prevent escapes
• Comes with 2 back handles for additional control
• Offered in 3 sizes (medium, large, and X-Large) and 3 colors

5. Mihachi Secure Dog Harness

About: Like a few of the other harnesses discussed here, the Mihachi Harness helps to keep your dog from slipping out of his harness through it’s five-strap design. It also comes with padded sections to ensure the harness remains comfortable, and — most notably — features one of the most ergonomic and comfortable handles of any harness.

Features:

• Comes with 3 padded adjustable straps to secure your escape artist
• Provides 5 adjustment points for a more customized fit
• Handle gives you additional control if needed
• Offered in 2 sizes (medium and large) and 1 color pattern (black/gray)

6. Rabbitgoo Tactical Dog Harness

About: Rabbitgoo’s Tactical Dog Harness is a durable harness that’s built to last. In fact, despite featuring plastic, rather than metal buckles, it is the heaviest escape-proof harness we recommend. It is also quite secure, as it comes with adjustable points on each of its five straps to provide a snug fit. And with a back handle for added control, wrangling your escape artist has never been easier.

Features:

• Made of durable 1050D nylon
• Included Velcro patches for stowing gear and goodies
• Comes with 2 metal leash attachment points on the chest and back
• Available in 3 sizes (medium, large, and X-Large) and 4 colors

7. Auroth Tactical Dog Harness

About: The Auroth Tactical Dog Harness is a working dog wonder, keeping your canine contained with thick straps featuring four points of adjustment. With two metal leash attachment points, a back handle, and Velcro for gear, it functions like a tactical harness, but it provides a much lighter, “sportier” fit that won’t weigh your dog down.

Features:

• Made of 900D nylon
• Strong back handle for extra control
• Padded straps prevent discomfort
• Offered in 4 sizes (small, medium, large, and X-Large) and 12 colors

8. OneTigris Tactical Harness Vest

About: The OneTigris Tactical Harness Vest is a military-style accessory with built-in pouches, accessory loops, and ID panels. Providing full-body coverage, its structure keeps your four-footer safe and secure while looking great. Note that this harness has recently be redesigned; it now features better stitching and incorporates plastic buckles to reduce its weight. 

Features:

• Made of 1000D nylon with padding for comfort
• Secures with 4 heavy-duty buckles
• Top handle for extra control when needed
• Available in 4 sizes (small, medium, large, X-Large) and 5 colors

Ensuring a Proper Fit for Your Escape-Proof Dog Harness

Many dogs are able to escape from their harness because their owner failed to adjust or use it properly, rather than because of some design flaw.

But it’s pretty easy to make sure your dog’s harness is fitted properly; just follow the steps detailed below:

1. Start by purchasing a harness of the proper size.

There aren’t many things you can do to fix a harness that is too large or small for your pooch, so be sure to consult the manufacturer’s sizing recommendations.

Typically, you’ll have better luck if you rely on linear measurements, rather than your dog’s body weight, so break out the tape measure and get started – you’ll need to measure the circumference of your dog’s neck and chest.

Some harnesses will also have chest girth measurements too — the more measurements you can get from your dog, the better!

2. Place the harness around your dog while he is standing, rather than sitting.

Your dog’s rib cage will be a little thicker while he’s sitting, and you want to make sure you adjust it to accommodate his chest at its smallest. Don’t worry, he’ll still be able to sit comfortably while wearing it – it’ll just be a little snug when he does so.

3. Tighten all of the straps and loops until they are snug.

As a rule of thumb, you want the straps to be tight enough that you can just barely fit two fingers between the harness and your dog’s body.

And this includes all the straps (even the belly strap, which many owners forget to tighten).

4. Always test the harness’ fit and function before heading outside.

This is especially important when you purchase a new harness or make significant changes to the way the harness fits. Just put the harness on him and walk him around the living room for a bit to ensure he can’t slip free before heading outside.

It’s also wise to verify that your dog can’t slip his elbows or head through any of the straps.

One Harness to Avoid for Escape Artist Dogs

As you can see, there’s no shortage of escape-proof dog harnesses on the market. We think that most owners should be able to find a winner among the 11 options discussed above, but feel free to continue shopping until you stumble upon the perfect choice for your canine.

However, we would like to point out one particularly popular dog harness that isn’t a great choice for escape-prone dogs: The PetSafe Easy Walk Harness.

Don’t misunderstand — we love the Easy Walk Harness for a variety of applications (especially for owners seeking one of the best no-pull harnesses on the market).

But it isn’t a good choice for dogs who love trying to escape.

Dogs who back out of harnesses tend to wiggle out of this one, and others manage to get their front legs out of the loop, leading to further Houndini headaches. The design doesn’t give you much control either, and no handle is present for emergencies. 

So, while the Easy Walk is great for pooches who aren’t flight risks, it isn’t a good choice for escape artists. It may send you searching for articles about catching a runaway dog.

Another Viable Alternative: The Martingale Collar

Martingale collars are somewhat similar to slip leads or chain collars, as they become tighter when tension is applied to the leash.

This means that when your dog faces you and starts trying to back out of his leash, the collar will tighten, thereby preventing him from escaping. And this means that martingale collars are a good harness-alternative for escape-prone doggos.

If this sounds like the type of approach you’d like to take, check out the PetSafe Martingale Collar. It is affordable, effective and durable, and most owners found that it worked well for their pup.

Types of Dogs At High-Risk for Escape

Although all dogs probably have some harness-slipping skills, some seem to be more likely to escape than others. So, while you should always be sure to get a harness that will keep your dog safely contained, it is clearly an especially important consideration for some dogs.

Some of the dogs who necessitate escape-proof harnesses include:

Nervous Dogs

Nervous or flighty dogs are often among those who are most likely to try to slip free or chew their way out of their harness.

Shelter dogs, for example, are often especially nervous and will try to escape from their harness – especially if they’re not accustomed to having harnesses on.

Leash-Averse Dogs

Some dogs become agitated when attached to a leash. They immediately begin pulling and twisting in an effort to escape the ties that bind. Their efforts are often successful, which results in an unbound pet running around the neighborhood.

For these dogs, work on desensitizing your dog to the leash indoors, moving slowly and spending training sessions simply clipping and unclipping the leash (with lots of treats and praise) for a few days before progressing to short stints outdoors, and finally moving on to full-on walks as your dog gets more comfortable.

Destructive Chewers

Some dogs will chew on anything they can get their mouth on, including their harness. It’s important to fit these types of dogs with a harness that is difficult for them to reach and constructed of durable materials.

If appropriate, consider redirecting these dogs towards chewing heavy-duty chews or toys (yes, you can bring toys with you on walks if it’s helpful for your dog)!

Prior Offenders

Any dog that has escaped in the past is at high risk of doing so again in the future, so be extra careful with dogs who’ve already demonstrated the ability to slip a harness.

Dogs with Lanky Builds or Small Heads

Dogs come in a variety of shapes, but most harnesses are designed to fit a sort of generic dog body.

This means that dogs of some shapes and sizes are more likely to slip free than others are. In practice, dogs with exceptionally flexible front limbs, lanky builds and small heads are often more likely to escape than short-limbed, blocky-headed dogs are.

In a nutshell, it means your whippet, greyhound, or border collie should be treated as a flight risk, but your English bulldog or basset hound probably isn’t going anywhere.

How Do Dogs Escape from a Traditional Harness?

Dogs can escape from traditional harnesses in a few different ways, but two methods seem to be the most common:

Slipping their shoulders free. Dogs are pretty flexible creatures, and they can often impart enough leverage to “back out” of a traditional harness. This typically involves pulling backwards against the leash, while trying to slip their elbows through the straps.

Chewing through the straps. Some dogs don’t feel the need to contort their bodies or dislocate their shoulders Martin-Riggs-style. Instead, they use their teeth and jaws to secure their freedom. The best way to prevent this from happening is by using a harness that is difficult for them to reach or made of chew-resistant materials.

Things to Look for in An Escape Proof Dog Harness

Anytime you buy a harness – especially one geared towards Houdini dogs, you’ll want to look for a few key features to ensure you get a high-quality product.

Among other things, this includes:

High-Quality Materials

Obviously, you don’t want to purchase an escape-proof harness made from cheap, flimsy materials. Cheaper harnesses will be easier for your dog to chew apart and eventually bust out of.

Instead, look for a harness made from leather, high-quality faux leather, nylon webbing, or some other strong, pliable, and durable material.

Secure Connectors

Manufacturers use a variety of different connector types in their designs, and it is important to select a harness that has connectors that are durable and secure.

You may sacrifice a little convenience by doing so, as some connectors make harnesses more difficult to put on or take off, but escape-prone dogs require a bit of extra security.

High-Visibility Features

You always want to ensure that your dog is as visible to motorists as possible, particularly when it is dark outside. This is really true for any harness – not just escape-proof ones!

Fortunately, many (if not most) leashes on the market feature things like reflective material in the stitching or patches, which help improve your dog’s visibility.

On the off chance that you select a harness that does not feature these types of visibility enhancements, be sure to pick up a clip-on LED light to keep your pooch safe. Their cheap and easy to use, and they may save your dog’s life.

Multiple-Attachment Points

It’s actually possible to alter your dog’s behavior by attaching his leash to his harness in different places. For example, by attaching the leash to the front of his chest, you can easily pull him to the side and throw off his balance a bit, which is often helpful in preventing pulling.

Conversely, if you attach a leash near your dog’s back, he’ll often start doing his best sled-dog impression. This can be helpful if you are walking up a hill and you want him to pull you for a little bit.

Although it sounds mean, and you certainly don’t want to over-burden your pup, this can actually be a great way to increase the intensity of your walks, which is sometimes necessary with super-high-energy dogs.

Attached Harness Handles

Many good harnesses come with a handle that gives you a little more extra control of your dog. This means you can help give your pooch a bit of help jumping in the car, or you can keep him really close when a cat darts out in front of you on the sidewalk.

Having a built-in handle also means you can grab your dog closer if you know his jailbreak skills are triggered by certain stimuli – like a squirrel who’s picking a fight or another dog across the street.

Several Adjustment Points for a Good Fit

Part of the reason some dogs easily wriggle free of their harness or collar is due to the tool not being fitted correctly.

Choosing a proper size will go a long way, but you’ll still need to fine-tune the adjustable straps at various locations for an appropriate fit that’s snug without being uncomfortable and allowing your dog to have full range of motion. This is especially true of the belly strap.

Tips for Securing Your Dog in the Harness

If you’d rather not purchase an escape-proof harness, you can still do a few things to help keep your dog securely attached to his leash during walks. The following two tricks are the most common approaches, and both are fairly cheap and easy to rig up.

The T-Shirt Trick

Some owners have found that they can prevent their dog from slipping out of a harness by making them wear a T-shirt over the harness.

A small slit can be cut in the shirt to allow the leash to attach to the harness. This isn’t a fool-proof method for securing your dog, but some owners have had success with this approach.

Use a Collar and a Harness

One great way to make your dog more secure is by using a collar and a harness during walks.

This way, if your dog manages to slip out of the harness, he’s still connected to you via the collar. Just use a carabiner to clip the harness to the collar, and then clip your dog’s leash to the harness.

Some owners like to use a zip tie instead of a carabiner, but this should only be done with rather small dogs. A large or powerful dog could probably break a zip tie if he pulled hard enough.

Additionally, because you can’t take a zip tie off, you’ll have to cut through it after each walk and attach a new one the next time your pooch has to pee.

Collars are also designed to have quick release snaps in case of an emergency. You’re definitely inviting some potentially very dangerous situations by opting for a zip tie – which can’t be removed quickly or easily in an unexpected circumstance.

---

Have you used any of the harnesses discussed above? Did they turn out to be as escape-proof as you’d hoped? Do you know of a super-secure escape-proof harness that we’ve missed? Have you figured out another way to keep escape artist dogs safe?

Tell us all about it in the comments!