The Freedom Harness: 5/8" vs 1" Size Medium

I'm a big fan of the Freedom No Pull Harness by 2 Hounds Design. I recommend them to clients, and own several. However, I did have some fitting issues with Brisbane because he was very sensitive about straps crossing his shoulders after he developed hip arthritis. On the 1" wide medium and large sizes, the chest straps sat too low.

Photo by Erin Koski

One of my local stores carries Freedom Harnesses in nearly every size. They have the 5/8" strap width harness in extra small and small, and the 1" strap harness in size medium, large, XL, and 2XL. The only size they don't carry is the 5/8" wide medium.

Since the store had all of the other sizes, I was able to compare them side by side. The first thing I noticed was that the martingale loop on all of the 1" harnesses was the same size. The small and extra small harnesses had a smaller loop, but it was also the same size for both. This led me to believe that the medium 5/8" harness would also have the smaller loop size, resulting in less distance between the buckles, and therefore the chest straps would sit a little higher on the dog.

Photo by Erin Koski

Both size medium harness are listed as fitting dogs with 22-28" chests. The one with the thinner straps seems to be difficult to find, so I was delighted to see an entire rack of them at the 2 Hounds Design booth at SuperZoo. On comparison, I found that the 5/8" harness did indeed have the smaller loop and less distance between the buckles.

I purchased this bright and cheery raspberry-colored 5/8" medium harness at a discount so I could compare the fit on my own dog. I don't really use the Freedom Harness on Sisci, but I am a huge nerd and couldn't pass up the opportunity to answer this burning question.

Photo by Erin Koski

The fit between the two sizes is pretty close, but the harness with the thinner straps does sit a bit higher on Sisci's shoulders. I don't know that it would make a dramatic difference in shoulder movement, but it's worth considering when choosing between the two sizes. I think the 5/8" strap harness fits a little bit better, and droops in front a bit less.

Ten Reasons to Use a Harness

The most basic method of attaching a leash to a dog is via a regular buckle collar, so why use a more complicated body harness instead? Most of the time, the answer is that a harness protects the dog's neck and back. There are a wide variety of harnesses that serve many different purposes, but they all perform this essential function. Here are some of the reasons I use a harness:

Ru models his custom Fraggle Rock biothane harness.
Photo by Erin Koski

1. My dog is very small.

Josie in the Kurgo Go-Tech Adventure Harness
Photo by Erin Koski

 Small-breed dogs have very sensitive throats, and the pressure from a collar can collapse the cartilage of their trachea. A collapsed trachea doesn't happen all at once, it's a degenerative condition that develops over time. Many tiny dogs can walk on a regular collar for years without a problem, but it's difficult to assess how well their cartilage is holding up. Early symptoms include coughing and gagging as their throats literally close up. I have never walked Ru on a collar because I just don't feel the need to risk it.




2. My dog is very old.

A harness can give a senior dog a helping hand. Whether they need a little help getting down the stairs or a lot of help just standing up, the right kind of body harness can provide the needed support.


3. My dog is disabled.

Harnesses are also awesome for differently able pups of all sorts, from tripods to blind dogs. Many manage to compensate in amazing ways, but a harness can allow them to do it all, keep them safe, and provide support to give their working parts a rest.

Brisbane rocks the Help 'Em Up Harness
Photo by Erin Koski

3. My dog is injured.

Years ago, when we first x-rayed Brisbane's sore back, a veterinarian recommended I use a harness for him on a regular basis. Whether the problem is in the tails, the middle of the back, or the neck, he told me that it was best to distribute pressure and not pull Brisbane around by one end of his spine. Some harnesses also help provide support for dogs with reduced mobility.

Ru in the Midnight Pet paracord harness attached to the
Flexi Mini.
Photo by Erin Koski

4. I want to give my dog more freedom.

Though I'm not a fan of retractable leashes in most situations, I do use Flexis for certain outdoor adventures with my crew. When I use any kind of extra-long leash, I always attach it to a harness. This protects my dog's neck in the unlikely event that something causes them to bolt to the end of their leash. I can't predict earthquakes, poorly-timed fireworks, or stealthy joggers with no personal space, but I can make sure that the pressure is distributed across my dog's chest when they suddenly stop after accelerating for 15'.

Hellin wears the Mhu Ghu LED mesh harness
Photo by Erin Koski

5. My dog doesn't know how to walk on a leash yet.

While I've found collars to be more useful for communicating with a dog via a leash, harnesses are preferable for casual outings with dogs who are still figuring out this whole "leash" thing. Whether I'm working with a new puppy or a rescue fresh from the shelter, I want to protect their neck while they learn to move with me.

I like the SENSE-ation harness a lot better than the Easy Walk.
Photo by Erin Koski

6. I don't want my dog to pull me. 

Loose leash walking is a skill that must be learned, and many dogs need a lot of exercise while they are mastering the concept. There are a wide variety of harnesses that can help discourage pulling while preventing a strong dog from overpowering a smaller handler. Some regular Roman harnesses can be used as a front-clip no-pull harness.

The Urban Trails mushing harness by Alpine Outfitters.
Photo by Erin Koski

7. I do want my dog to pull me.

Mushing isn't just for winter anymore! There are a wide variety of dog-powered sports and activities out there. If I'm asking my dog to pull me on a skateboard, scooter, bicycle, or skis, I need to make sure he is comfortable. Harnesses designed for pulling tend to be thickly padded around the chest to help distribute pressure. Some dogs will cheerfully pull on a collar, but this can cause damage over time.

The Ruffwear Webmaster harness allows me to carry
Brisbane like a suitcase.
Photo by Erin Koski

8. I need to pick my dog up. 

Whether I am helicoptering my chihuahua out of harm's way or helping Brisbane up a particularly steep section of trail, a harness is essential for comfortable lifting. Not every harness is designed for this, though many can be used for emergency lifts. Those used for rappelling and parachuting have straps that go around the rear legs for extra security.

Brisbane holds a perfect stay while I take off the
SENSE-ation harness and put on the
DT Works harness.
Photo by Erin Koski

9. I need my dog to pick me up.

The job description of a service dog can include guiding and steadying their handler as they navigate obstacles that most of us barely notice. A vest may be enough to identify a hearing assistance or seizure alert dog, but a harness is necessary for those that provide mobility support. Some service dogs are even taught to brace their bodies to allow their handler to pull themselves up if they fall. Mobility assistance dogs need handles.

Annie, on the right, is the most talented escape artist I know.

10. My dog can escape from any collar.

I know a dog that can escape from martingale, slip lead, any type of head halter, and most harnesses. So far the only thing that can securely contain her is the Ruffwear Webmaster harness, and a prong collar. The Freedom No-Pull harness is also more difficult to escape than the average harness, though foster puppy Hellin managed it a couple of times.


Do you use a harness for your dog? Why?

Product Review: Freedom No-Pull Harness

The Freedom No-Pull Harness, by 2 Hounds Design (formerly Wiggles, Wags and Whiskers)  is a unique piece of equipment that doesn't really fit into any of the categories by which I usually classify dog harnesses. It's shaped more like a step-in than anything else, but goes on like a Roman harness, with the neck loop around the neck, center strap passed between the front legs, and the belly strap clipped around the dog's middle. The Freedom Harness comes in twenty different color combinations and two strap widths to fit dogs with chests 14-44" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

This harness has a martingale loop on the top that serves to tighten the chest strap around the dog's girth. The tightening strap discourages pulling without choking or hitting sensitive pressure points. While most no-pull products use some sort of pain or discomfort to discourage pulling, this one does not appear to bother extra-sensitive Brisbane.

One of the things I like best about the Freedom harness is the velvet lining on the straps under the armpits. This makes it very popular for off-track greyhounds and other dogs with sensitive skin. Brisbane's armpits are pretty much naked, so I am very careful with harnesses that have straps anywhere near that area. I'm pretty sure the original Wiggles Wags and Whiskers harness was designed specifically for greyhounds.

Photo by Erin Koski

Another unique feature of the Freedom harness is a front leash ring. This attachment point does not tighten the harness when leash pressure is applied, unlike the ever-popular EasyWalk harness.

Ideally, the leash should be clipped either to the back ring only, or to both the front and back rings at the same time. This can be accomplished with a double-ended leash, a regular leash with a carabiner snapped to the handle, or or even two leashes. This allows the handler to primarily use the back attachment point to discourage pulling, and the front ring just for turning the dog around.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Freedom harness has been awesome for Ulysses. He doesn't really pull on the leash, but he does fixate on things like other dogs in the distance. The front ring allows me to turn him around and walk him away in a manner that does not trigger him to react. This is the harness that I recommend now for people who have issues with pulling or reactivity.

Pros: No-pull feature does not make my uber-sensitive Brisbane act uncomfortable, meaning it is not a hugely negative pulling deterrent like a prong collar or string harness. Really does deter pulling, though I have not tried it on a strong dog yet. Does not require picking up the dog's feet to put it on, and the neck loop is big enough to go on without touching sensitive ears. Does not hang loosely, can be worn without a leash attached. Soft velvet on straps behind the legs help prevent chafing, and the harness does not sit too close to the elbows.

Cons: The front strap sits pretty low, probably low enough to interfere with shoulder movement. Brisbane recently developed some hip arthritis, and suddenly became visibly unhappy when wearing any harness that touches his shoulders. Our harness is a size large, I tried going down to a medium in hopes of having the strap sit higher, but the back loop section is actually the same length on both sizes. I'm also not in love with the sizing, with the large harness we have almost every strap adjusted as short as possible, with the medium they were all as long as possible. I wish there was more overlap. This harness is also sort of complicated for the uninitiated to put on the dog, though it gets easier with practice.

Bottom Line: This is my new favorite band-aid for pulling, and for managing reactive dogs. It has been wonderful for Ulysses and I plan to use it for future fosters as well.