5 Of The Best ‘Do Not Pet’ Harnesses For Maximum Safety
The best 'do not pet' harnesses can help protect others from a reactive dog or keep your working pup on task by letting everyone know your furry friend is off-limits.
The best ‘Do Not Pet’ harnesses stand out and tell everyone to avoid touching your dog. There are many reasons you may want to keep people’s paws off your pup, and sometimes you don’t see them sneaking up on you. For example, petting can distract a service or emotional support dog from focusing on their job, leading to health or injury risks. However, keep in mind that not all ‘Do Not Pet’ harnesses announce your dog’s working status. If that’s your primary intention, you may want to check out emotional support vests instead.
Some dogs are nervous around strangers and other pets, while others are downright aggressive and reactive. In that case, using a dog muzzle while having a visible warning makes the most sense and can protect others from injury. It can also help you and your dog avoid tricky legal situations. No matter your reason for wanting to keep pesky humans away from your fur baby, we have you covered.
Best ‘Do Not Pet’ Harnesses to Consider
To ensure you choose the perfect ‘Do Not Pet’ harness for your situation, we recommend paying close attention to a few key details. The first is sizing. It’s essential to ensure your pup fits their harness comfortably. From there, you’ll want to check out the other markings and messages on the options you’re considering. For example, if you have a service dog, you may want the harness to announce that in addition to the no petting message. Finally, consider where you will take your pet and what you’ll do.
If you plan to do plenty of hiking with a dog that tends to be protective or reactive toward strangers and other dogs, the Bolux Tactical Dog Harness is your best bet. It has several sturdy handles for maximum control of your furry friend and wide straps that keep your dog comfortable for hours. There are also extra patches to help you convey several messages at once. It’s ideal for any outdoorsy family or working dogs.
When you have a nervous or aggressive dog, on the other hand, you may prefer the Doggie Stylz Do Not Pet Vest. It’s compact, comfortable, and bright. And, of course, it has ‘Do Not Pet’ boldly and clearly marked across each side, ensuring everyone sees it, even from a distance. It’s also lightweight, easy to put on and take off, and reflective for added safety.
Although we think the above options are excellent for most situations, we know every family and pet has unique needs. That’s why we have even more fantastic harnesses for you to peruse below. We’re sure you’ll find one that can cover all of your bases. From tiny Yorkies to fluffy Newfies, there’s one that fits.
Doggie Stylz Do Not Pet Vest
The Doggie Stylz Do Not Pet vest is an excellent choice for almost any situation. It has ‘Do Not Pet’ boldly written across each side, ensuring nobody in the area can miss it. Reflective strips across the chest also come in handy for dark walks and hikes. Meanwhile, it stays on securely with an adjustable strap around the middle, and a steel D-ring and sturdy handle help you maintain control. It’s ideal for nervous, reactive, or aggressive dogs that may struggle with social interactions.
Pros:
- Color variety adds a little fun without getting in the way of the message
- There are several sizes available
- No petting patches are very large and hard to miss
- Comfortable and secure enough for hours of wear
Cons:
- Front uses velcro to stay in place, which isn’t as secure as the clip section
- Patches are removable, so you have to be careful not to lose them
Dogline Unimax Multi-Purpose Harness
You can use the Dogline Unimax multi-purpose harness to keep your pup by your side and safe from strangers and other animals. It has a strong handle, a metal D-ring, and an adjustable chest strap that helps you keep them completely under control. And unlike many similar harnesses, it also has a chest plate and wrap-around strap for added comfort and security. But our favorite part is the style. There are many colors and patterns to choose from, so you and your furry friend always look your best.
Pros:
- Large ‘Do Not Pet’ patches are extremely visible
- Adjustable and comfortable straps keep your pup comfortable, even if they have wide, deep chests
- Allows you to gain control of your dog quickly if they react to anyone or anything
- Chest plate section helps keep dogs from pulling
Cons:
- Becomes uncomfortable for dogs over 130 pounds
- Webbing can fray over time
Animire Service Dog Vest Harness and Leash
This service dog harness and leash set from Animire is built to last while making it easy to clearly mark your dog’s working status, along with the super visible ‘Do Not Pet’ patch. All of the straps that secure this harness to your dog are adjustable yet secure, and the padded handle helps you grab your dog in case of emergency. As a bonus, the included leash is ultra-sturdy and gives you a cute, coordinated way to keep your pet nearby and under control.
Pros:
- Size range helps you get a great fit on any breed
- Thick and well-made for long-lasting wear
- Helps you pull your dog back if they pull or lunge
- Patch variety allows you to convey several messages at once
Cons:
- Buckles are plastic and easy to chew
- Only one ‘Do Not Pet’ patch is included
Bolux Tactical Dog Harness
This fabulous Bolux tactical dog harness has three solid and adjustable straps that keep it in place from scruff to hips for a tight, super-secure fit. The double-handle design is also handy because you can grab your dog from multiple spots in any emergency. And as for patches? There are plenty. This harness comes with seven of them, including a ‘Do Not Pet’ option that not only uses the words but has an image to ensure even those who can’t read know not to touch your pup.
Pros:
- Buckles and straps are thick and durable
- Patches are easy to get on and off
- All of the stitching is reinforced and high-quality
- Rings allow you to attach extra supplies for hiking, like carabiners for water bottles or food
Cons:
- Have to measure carefully to get the right fit
- Patches are not as large as some competitors
WINSEE No Pull Training Dog Vest
Pulling dogs and those in training can be tough to keep under control. That’s where the WINSEE no-pull training harness comes in. It straps around the middle and across the chest and clips in place tightly, while the front-centered D-rings on both the front and back prevent your dog from pulling away from you. There’s also a convenient handle at the back for added security. And, of course, bold patches that let everyone know not to pet or touch your fuzzy buddy. Overall, it’s one of the best options for teaching your dog how to act in public while keeping the public safe.
Pros:
- ‘Do Not Pet’ patch is very visible and sits up high to help everyone see it
- Very adjustable for maximum comfort
- Affordable, especially compared to similar harnesses
- Great for training young puppies or older dogs due to the versatile D-ring options and handle
Cons:
- Takes a little extra effort to put on due to multiple buckles
- Straps can loosen over time
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I minimize bite risks in addition to a ‘Do Not Pet’ harness?
If aggressive behavior is your primary reason for using a ‘Do Not Bite’ harness for your dog, there are a few other things you can do to help maximize everyone’s safety. First, as with any other training or socialization, breathable muzzle can help stop bites without getting in the way of panting and drinking.
When should I put a ‘Do Not Pet’ harness on my dog?
We recommend using one of these warning vests anytime your dog may come into contact with people they don’t know. You can also use them to prevent distraction while your dog is in training. They’re perfect for walks, errands, and vet visits, as well. Keeping people from petting your dog can help them become less aggressive or nervous over time by teaching them that people are not scary.
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