Blue-9 Balance Harness review: A professional dog trainer recommends this harness to keep pups from pulling on walks
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In my work as a professional dog trainer, leash pulling is one of the biggest training struggles I've seen people go through with their dogs. There are plenty of science-backed training techniques to teach a dog to walk nicely on a leash, but those take time to work. For a faster solution, you need one of the best no-pull dog harnesses, and the Blue-9 Harness is my go-to for dogs that pull.
The Balance harness not only fits well and is easy to use, but it can also make a big difference in the quality of walks. And if you have one of the best dog harnesses, you never have to subject your dog to the dangers of prong or choke collars.
Design and specs
The Balance Harness fits snugly, with a band that clips around the neck, a band that clips around the chest, and two straps that hold both in place, one under the chest and one along the spine. Contrasting colors make putting it on correctly every time a cinch, and there are six different places on the harness to make adjustments for wide necks, barrel chests, and chunky bellies.
The Blue-9 website has a handy fit chart for choosing which of the five sizes will work best for your pup. The Balance comes in eight colors and a camo print.
The magic that stops dogs from pulling while wearing this harness is in the sturdy D-ring where the leash clips at the front of the chest. There is a second D-ring at the spine to use with dogs that do not pull or to use with a double-ended training leash that clips to both rings.
Our review of the Blue-9 Balance Harness
Bowie was strong. Just past puppyhood and already 60 pounds, he had the curiosity and hyperactivity of an adolescent in the body of an adult German shepherd.
The old joke "Who's walking who?" was written for Bowie. Walks were miserable, his owners told me on the phone when they called to inquire about private dog training. He pulled, he darted, he lunged; one of them had already hurt their elbow trying to walk him.
I had only one question for them: What type of harness are you using?
I came prepared to meet Bowie with the Blue-9 Balance Harness. Dog trainers like myself almost universally favor this nylon harness in large part due to the vast improvements in fit it has over older no-pull dog harnesses.
Anti-pull harnesses like the Petsafe Easy Walk, which clip to the leash at the front of the chest, often hang too low, impeding a dog's full range of motion. Depending on a dog's body shape, the design of these harnesses can potentially result in chafing under the armpits and stress on muscles and tendons in the forelimbs.
I slipped Bowie's new harness over his head and adjusted each strap tight enough to allow only two fingers to fit between the harness and Bowie's body. I clipped the leash to his chest, and we headed out for a walk.
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Bowie's owners quickly saw how the harness worked. With his previous harness, the leash connected at Bowie's spine. When he got moving, he just dragged them along like a Husky pulling a sled. Now, when Bowie tried to pull ahead, the tension of the leash in front of his body caused him to turn. To keep walking straight, he had to slow down. The harness stayed in place as we walked and didn't impede the movement of his front legs.
Just like that, the problem was solved. Bowie's walks immediately went from stressful to relaxed.
Cons to consider
The Balance Harness isn't perfect. It's a management tool, but it's not actually teaching your dog how to walk nicely on leash. Unless you do some walking training with your dog, you'll have to continue to use the harness to prevent your pup from pulling.
While the Blue-9 Balance Harness worked for Bowie, it, unfortunately, isn't magical for every dog. For the smallest of pups, it is a lot of material, and the straps are more likely to ride up under the armpits and around the neck. Most people who try this harness with their dog will find it extremely helpful, but there will always be some dogs for whom it has little impact.
What are your alternatives?
If the Balance doesn't boost your dog's walking skills, consider a head halter like the Petsafe Gentle Leader Headcollar and upping your loose-leash walking training. You can also save $20 with the similarly designed, Petsafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness, though you'll find fewer color options and size options.
The bottom line
If you don't have a dog that pulls on leash, the Balance Harness is attractive, easy to use, and comes in a number of colors and sizes for a somewhat pricey $50. If you have a dog that pulls on the leash, it's worth its weight in gold by transforming your walks from stressful to relaxed without the fit problems inherent to some other no-pull harnesses.