If your dog pulls on the leash during walks, a new harness may help curb bad habits
It was my dog Louie’s very first festival and I was excited to have him check out East Atlanta. After a long drive into town from Conyers, we both jumped out of the car ready to roll. But a gentle rainfall threatened our plans. With Louie already pulling on his leash, and crowds bustling past us in the other direction, I made a detour into Park Pet Supply for reinforcements.
After strolling through the selection of harnesses, I found a cute I-shaped version that seemed popular among Frenchie lovers. The sales associate approached to offer help and I asked about the harness. She quickly noted that I-shaped harnesses are adorable but not really effective. Instead, she recommended the Non-Pull Harness from YUP! ($21.99), noting that it worked with most breeds. I was skeptical until noticing that the YUP! harness comes with a lifetime manufacturer guarantee. Sold!
She helped me get Louie strapped into a size small black version and our product review officially began at the EAV Strut.
YUP! Non-Pull Harness — First Look
Most dog trainers tell me that pulling on the leash is a common complaint among owners – regardless of the dog’s size. Getting a dog to walk nicely on a leash seems so easy, but it actually requires some skill and patience from the owner. Proper tools can make a big difference. After enrolling in an obedience course with Louie, the first product suggested by our trainer was a harness to control his pulling. I purchased a $27 version from PetSmart that had two pieces; only to discover one part go missing a few months later.
YUP’s harness has one piece, which makes it easier to maintain. There’s a mesh portion that rests across the
dog’s chest area, and it’s connected to fleece-lined arm loops that go under each front leg. Guide the harness over your dog’s head and adjust the sliding cord at the top for a proper fit. When dogs pull, the fleece loops apply gentle pressure under each arm.
What works
He stopped pulling! Even at a crowded festival, the YUP! harness made it easy to dart in and out of booths with Louie. The adjustable sliding cord made it easy to tighten up when necessary. At home in our neighborhood, I found that the YUP! makes it easier to manage walks with an inquisitive puppy.
Room for improvement
Once the harness is in place, everything is awesome. But I often struggle remembering how to get Louie into this contraption – and I use that word purposely because the YUP! looks pretty complicated. It helps to look for the metal heart on the sliding cord. When worn properly, the heart should point forward. To avoid confusion, I highly recommend that you keep the package, which has detailed instructions and helpful photos.
Also, note that this harness is more of a training tool. If you want something cutesy, this is not the best option. Since I’m more focused on a pleasant walk, YUP! definitely fits our needs.
THE VERDICT
Three out of four paws. While the YUP! Non-Pull Harness may be pricey, it deterred gets the job done. If your dog pulls during leash walks, this is worth the investment. Once you master the art of the walk, go ahead and purchase those cutesy floral or camouflage versions. Also, this is definitely not a harness that you want to leave on your dog after use. My sister learned that the hard way when her beagle Sallie chewed through the $21 training tool. (Ouch!)
NOTE: Tools like the YUP! harness help, but obedience training and regular practice are the best ways to reduce unwanted behavior.
About SoulPup reviews: SoulPup typically purchases products for reviews. We will specify when companies provide items for testing and, whenever possible, SoulPup will donate those products to local rescue groups.
