Superb Dog EditorThere’s a reason why chew-proof dog toys are so popular. Most all pups enjoy chewing on bones and toys, and this stimulates their gums and brain while also exercising their jaws. We want them to do this. But when your dog starts chewing on objects like their leash or harness, that can quickly turn into an expensive and inconvenient chew.
The best indestructible chew-proof dog harnesses are made of durable materials, correctly sized, and affordably priced. They should also be easy to put onto the dog and require straightforward, quick cleaning and maintenance. Additional features, like reflective fabric, are a huge plus.
We’re going to explore why your dog may be chewing on their harness and steps you can take to change that behavior. We’ll also explore the most important things to consider when choosing a new chew-proof dog harness, as well as reveal our top picks.
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If you’re in a hurry and just want to see our choices for best indestructible chew-proof dog harnesses, here’s a list of our top picks. We also provide a buying guide as well as in-depth reviews of each harness below.
Why Is My Dog Chewing on Their Harness?
Owners hoping to find the best indestructible dog harness might begin their journey by asking the question, “Why is my dog chewing through their harness?”
The answer is bound to vary, but common causes behind this unappealing behavior, including:
- The harness is too small
- Improper harness training
- Teething during the puppy growth stages
- Poor dental health leading to excessive chewing
- The dog associates the harness with captivity
Should you commit to proper harness training and acquire a correctly-sized harness, your pup should overcome any harness-eating habits. Of course, proper veterinary care and assistance may be necessary in cases that aren’t so quickly resolved.
But many pet owners can coax their furry friends to treat their harness less like a treat or a restriction and more like a helpful and pleasant tool. Owners must practice patience and be willing to try several different training techniques to save current and future harnesses from becoming shredded bits of cloth, plastic, and metal.
How Can I Get My Dog To Stop Chewing Their Harness?
When it comes to keeping your dog’s harness safe from angry bites and rips, it’s vital to understand why your dog is chewing its harness. It can be challenging to find a solution to an issue with no known cause.
If possible, determine the cause of your pet’s behavior before committing to any kind of action. A veterinarian or animal behaviorist may be able to assist with this endeavor. Once you’ve got a solid idea of why your dog is chewing its harness, you can select the proper course of action.
Some of the most practical solutions include things like:
- Make sure that their harness is comfortable
- Reward them for calm harness-wearing behaviors
- Only put the harness on immediately before leaving home
- Seek adequate behavioral training classes
- Visit your veterinarian regularly
- Purchase a new and more durable harness
Should you find that training and health aren’t to blame for your dog’s slobbery harness, it may be time to replace the current one with a more comfortable alternative. Choosing the best replacement can be challenging, though, especially if you’re not sure what to look for in a dog harness.
That’s why we’ve created a brief buyer’s guide to help you select the ideal harness for your pup. In the following section, we’ll review the essential things that every pet parent should consider before purchasing a new dog harness for their pet.
Things To Consider When Choosing the Best Chew-Proof Dog Harness
The most important thing to know when buying a a chew-proof dog harness is that there’s no such thing as a completely indestructible harness. In fact, there are few, if any, products in the dog world that are completely chew-proof. But some are much more resistant to the work of heavy chewers than others.
When choosing a harness, you’ll want to consider a few things, including:
- Size
- Color
- Price
- Ease of Use
- Maintenance
- Additional Features
You’ll likely be making a return if you don’t purchase a harness that’s the right size. Color might not be hugely important for pups, but owners may want to choose reflective harnesses that are easy to see at night.
Price is also relatively important, especially for pet parents buying for a younger puppy that hasn’t finished growing. Multiple harnesses of various sizes might be necessary.
Finally, if a harness is tricky to use or keep clean, it might be better to choose a different model. Additional features, such as reflective areas, GPS tracking devices, and multiple leash attachment sites, may also be desirable.
Size
The majority of dog harnesses come in five standard sizes. These sizes are typically extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large. However, more extreme sizes are also available. Notably, dimensions are not consistent among all dog harness brands and manufacturers.
If you don’t already own a flexible fabric measuring tape, now might be an excellent time to snap one up. Using this handy gadget, you can measure your dog’s height, chest width, and more. These measurements can help you choose a harness that is comfortable and secure.
Color
Color is often considered an aesthetic preference and not a necessity. However, if you plan on walking your dog during nighttime or the early morning hours, a brightly colored harness could make a significant difference in your experience.
Alternatively, some pet parents might opt to choose calming, neutral colors for their pet’s harness. Those hoping to get a harness for a service dog working in the police field, military, or hunting industry may prefer to own a camouflaged dog harness. The purpose of the harness will often help to inform its ideal coloration.
Price
A dog harness might cost you anywhere from $10 to a solid $100. The price often depends on the harness’s quality and any additional features that the harness might have.
Generally, the average pet parents might spend about $25 on a high-quality, durable dog harness. That’s not a huge investment, though it’s crucial to note that owners may pay more to outfit dogs that are still growing into their adult stages.
Ease of Use
A harness that must go over a dog’s head might cause discomfort during and after application. Generally, dogs seem to prefer harnesses that they can step into. Some harnesses, especially those made with cord-like material, can become twisted and complicated to use.
Consequently, the easiest-to-use harnesses tend to be made of solid fabrics that are relatively thick. They may also have a step-into design. These dog harnesses also tend to be made of synthetic materials that repel stains and mold spores.
Maintenance
No matter how large your dog is or what their activity level is, their collar and harness are bound to at least occasionally get dirty. If your preferred harness is made of all-natural fabrics like cotton or silk, it will likely stain and tear quickly.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon tend to be more durable and a little easier to clean than cotton, wool, or linen. Even better, breathable mesh harnesses might only need a quick rinse in the tub or sink, then a tumble dry. Thanks to plenty of airflows and hardy synthetic composition, the risk of mold or mildew are minimal.
Additional Features
Some dog harnesses have tons of additional features that are practical and alluring. One of the most common features of dog harnesses is reflective fabric or threading. Multiple leash points are also relatively common.
More complex features, such as GoPro-like cameras and GPS locators, are somewhat available but still pricey. Because pups are notorious for getting muddy, dirty, and messy, it may be best for owners to choose a harness that is breathable and easy to clean rather than one with tons of hi-tech gizmos.
Now that you know precisely what to look for when browsing durable chew-proof harnesses, you can select the optimal option more quickly! Still, if you’re not looking forward to the browsing process, you could save a little time by choosing one of the excellent options below.
Our top picks for the best, most indestructible chew-proof harnesses offer a little something for everyone. You’ll find harnesses for small dogs, harnesses for medium dogs, and harnesses for large dogs within these potential selections. You’ll also find affordable harnesses and feature-rich ones.
The perfect option for you and your pup depends on your dog’s size and allergies, in addition to your preferences and priorities. Without further ado, let’s explore some of the most durable, indestructible dog harnesses!
rabbitgoo Dog Harness
It’s nearly impossible to find a dog harness that eliminates the over-the-head dressing procedure. This rabbitgoo Dog Harness is fully adjustable, allowing it to slip effortlessly over your dog’s head. After that, they only need to step through the leg portions, adjust, and go!
While this option could be slightly on the heavier side, especially for smaller dog breeds, it’s sturdy, durable, breathable, and simple to keep clean. Besides, it’s one of the most secure options. If you’ve got a Houdini of a pup, this harness could be the ideal solution.
Pros
- This harness features padding and mesh fabric for breathability and comfort
- Easy to put onto your pup and adjusts perfectly to size
- Two clip locations for leash ensure for various occasions
- Dogs cannot chew or squirm out of this harness
Cons
- Only available in four sizes
- One of the heavier options
If you’re a pet parent living in a warmer, more humid climate, you might feel dubious about many of the best chew-proof harnesses. That’s because many of the most durable options can also be constricting and sweaty.
Voyager Step-In Air Dog Harness
But the Voyager Step-In Air Dog Harness is made of breathy mesh material that helps to keep longhaired pups cool, even on swampy summer afternoons. This option might just be the most customizable and the coolest. It’s available in seven sizes and more than two dozen colors and patterns!
Pros
- Available in seven diverse sizes
- Pet parents can choose from tons of colors and patterns
- One of the most ventilated dog harnesses
- Fantastically affordable
Cons
- This harness may initially produce a strong chemical smell
- Stitches may begin to weep and come apart after several months of consistent usage
Auroth Tactical Dog Training Harness
If you have a medium or large-sized breed of dog, the Auroth Tactical Harness could be a worthwhile option. While this option is one of the heaviest (weighing-in at more than a pound), it’s also one of the most durable and versatile.
In addition to two attachment sites for leashes, this harness features a nifty ID slot and various camouflage and neutral color options. It’s made of mold-resistant, UV-resistant nylon and is bound to resist any nibbling teeth while also keeping your pup secure and comfy.
Tactical harnesses were originally developed for service dogs and military dogs, but have become quite popular recently for pet dogs because of their versatility and durability. You can read our Tactical Dog Harness Buying Guide for more options and information.
Pros
- Features a practical ID slot
- Available in a variety of neutral and camouflage patterns that look professional
- Extra padding around common chafing areas, including beneath the legs
Cons
- This harness weighs more than one pound
- It only comes in four potential sizes
WINSEE Dog Harness
Looking for a harness that combines cloth-like softness with synthetic-style durability? The WINSEE Dog Harness is built using Oxford fabric, a type of tight-weave natural cloth that can repel most stains, dirt, and moisture. As such, this could be one of the unique harnesses.
Available in more than a dozen colors (many of which are bright and visible), these harnesses feature dual attachment sites with large leash D-rings. It also has lockable buckle attachments and adjustable chest and leg areas.
Overall, it’s challenging to find a more affordable and distinct dog harness that works for all sizes of pups.
Pros
- Made of Oxford fabric instead of purely synthetic options
- Tons of bright colors and patterns for visibility
- One of the most affordable options
- Designed with a large carrying handle should your dog misbehave or grow tired
Cons
- It could be too flimsy for larger, more powerful breeds
- Adjustable straps may loosen during usage
RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness
Despite this harness’s crafty design and durable construction, the RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness weighs a meager 6.4 ounces. That’s fantastic news for pet parents that have been searching for a lightweight harness for their pup. With reflective threading a small ID slot, this harness is also versatile.
The four-point adjustment helps ensure maximum comfort and fit, no matter which of the five sizes you choose. The most disappointing aspect of this harness is the front loop, made of fabric instead of the traditional D-ring metal hoop. If your dog is a powerful pup, this front loop may break.
Pros
- Surprisingly lightweight design
- Multiple attachment sites for leash
- Available in tons of different colors
Cons
- It may not be the most affordable option
- It could be challenging to put onto dogs that have a fear of over-the-head harnesses
- Fabric front loop may not be as strong as metal options
ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness
Standard consumer-style dog harnesses come in a variety of neon colors and patterns. They also tend to lack adhesive areas for helpful labels. If you’re a professional who is training service dogs, your typical harness options could be unsatisfactory.
But the ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness is ideal for service dogs and professional working dogs of all types (and also for those who just like the its very cool look). It may be too heavy for small dogs, but it’s bound to stand up to long walks, aggressive playtimes, and muddy romps. It comes with a broad, well-stitched handle to keep dogs from charging.
However, the front loop and D-ring are both prone to breaking, primarily when used with powerful breeds. This could become dangerous, especially if owners plan on walking aggressive breeds throughout high-traffic areas. As such, it’s crucial to check the harness for flaws after each use.
You can read more about tactical harnesses and vests in our Tactical Dog Harness Buying Guide.
Pros
- This option is built to last and is made of high-quality nylon
- Plenty of velcro on the sides and front for patches
- A smart and professional harness option
Cons
- It could be too heavy for some pups
- One of the pricier dog harnesses
- This harness could be overkill for the average pet owner
PoyPet No Pull Dog Harness
Ready for an affordable dog harness that’s bright enough to almost glow in the dark? The PoyPet No Pull Dog Harness could be precisely what you’ve been looking for. Made of neon-colored durable fabrics, this harness is padded, adjustable, and easy on your wallet.
Not only does it have multiple clips for leash attachment, but this harness also features several easily adjustable straps and buckles. It’s a sturdy, comfortable harness that’s made to fit any dog breed.
And because this harness minimizes surface area while maximizing integrity, your pup is bound to feel relaxed and snug while donning the PoyPet harness. This option is also one of the most affordable!
And while it won’t teach your dog not to pull on their leash, it will keep them from doing it while wearing this harness.
Pros
- An affordable harness
- Relatively lightweight and breathable to keep dogs feeling happy
- Reflective threading for improved nighttime visibility
Cons
- Padded areas may be too short for larger breeds
- It may not fit tiny breeds snugly or comfortably
Final Thoughts
If your dog has been chewing on its harness, it could be a sign that the harness is uncomfortable. A veterinarian will confirm that the behavior doesn’t stem from a health condition, helping you find a helpful solution. In some cases, you may need to purchase a new dog harness.
The best, most indestructible chew-proof dog harnesses are made of durable materials and correctly sized to fit the wearer. They’re also comfortable and easy to put onto the dog. And while no harness is completely chew-proof, a comfortable one is far less likely to be chewed on.
