Here’s the scenario the Freedom Harness exists for: your 90-lb puller just locked onto a squirrel across the street, and you’re the water-skier. A good no-pull harness gives you steering and braking without a choke collar; a bad one gives you a twisted mess of straps, chafed armpits, and a dog that’s learned the harness is negotiable.
The honest note most roundups skip: the Freedom Harness is the trainer-recommended classic — dual clip points, a martingale control loop, Swiss velvet lining — but it is not a plug-and-play product. Its #1 owner complaint is fit: it runs snug, the “buy the smallest size that fits” rule confuses people, and the martingale loop behaves differently across sizes. It’s also pricier than mass-market options and the double-ended leash is genuinely short. This guide breaks down the full Freedom lineup — harness only, with leash, training package, and the small-dog width — plus two real alternatives, with the complaints owners actually report.
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2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Harness at a Glance
| # | Product | Key spec | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freedom Harness + Leash Set (1″, Medium) | Dual clip · Swiss velvet · Made in USA | Best overall | Check Price |
| 2 | Freedom Harness Only (1″, Large) | Harness only · no leash | Cheapest entry | Check Price |
| 3 | Freedom Training Package (1″, Medium) | Harness + double-ended leash + training guide | Best for serious pullers | Check Price |
| 4 | Freedom Harness (5/8″, Small) | 5/8″ webbing · small dogs | Best for small dogs | Check Price |
| 5 | Blue-9 Buckle-Neck Balance Harness | 6-point adjustment · no martingale | Best trainer alternative | Check Price |
| 6 | rabbitgoo No Pull Harness (Large) | Padded vest · front + back clips | Budget alternative | Check Price |
Prices shift constantly — check before you buy. Sizes are manufacturer figures.
1. Freedom No-Pull Harness + Leash Set (1″, Medium) — Best Overall
This is the canonical Freedom Harness: 1″-wide nylon webbing, a patented martingale control loop on the back that tightens gently around the chest when the dog pulls, and a structural ring on the front chest for redirecting the dog’s attention. Four adjustment points, stainless steel hardware, and the chest strap is lined with Swiss velvet to prevent rubbing and chafing behind the legs. It’s rated for dogs from 14 lbs all the way to 250+ lbs, made in the USA, and carries a lifetime chewing warranty — the manufacturer replaces up to two chewed straps free, you just pay shipping.
The set version includes the double-ended leash, which is the key to the whole system: clip to the front ring and the back loop simultaneously and you can steer the dog like reins. Sizing: the manufacturer says measure the largest part of the chest (right behind the front legs) and choose the smallest size that still fits. On the brand site, the harness starts around $37.
The honest part: sizing is the complaint. One hands-on reviewer found the 1″ Medium (22–28″ chest) ran a little snug on a 54-lb goldendoodle with a 28″ chest and would size up to Large. Another reviewer measured carefully and still ended up with a harness too large to work. The martingale loop is the same size across all 1″ harnesses, and a trainer’s side-by-side comparison found the chest straps sat too low on some dogs’ bodies — the 5/8″ Medium with its smaller loop fit higher. Measure twice, and don’t assume your usual size.
Specs: 1″ webbing · XS 15–20″ / S 18–24″ / M 22–28″ / L 26–32″ / XL 30–36″ / XXL 34–44″ chest · martingale control loop + front structural ring · 4 adjustment points · stainless steel hardware · Swiss velvet chest strap · 14–250+ lbs · Made in USA · lifetime chewing warranty.
Pros: dual-clip steering is genuinely effective; Swiss velvet reduces chafing; stainless hardware; Made in USA; great chewing warranty.
Cons: sizing runs snug and confuses buyers; martingale loop fit varies by size; pricier than mass-market harnesses (~$37+).
Verdict: The trainer’s default — effective, but measure the chest carefully and consider sizing up at the boundary. Check the price on Amazon.
2. Freedom Harness Only, No Leash (1″, Large) — Cheapest Entry
Exactly the same harness as #1 minus the leash. This is the move if you already own a good leash (or a double-ended leash from another brand) and just want the harness itself. Same Swiss velvet lining, same four adjustment points, same stainless hardware, same sizing rules.
The honest framing: you save real money, but you lose the dual-connection steering that makes the Freedom special — a single clip to the front ring still redirects, but the “reins” effect needs two leash ends. If your plan was to clip your everyday leash to the back loop only, you’re getting maybe 70% of the harness’s value.
Specs: same as #1 · harness only, no leash · same sizes and widths.
Pros: lowest-cost way into the Freedom system; same build quality and warranty.
Cons: no double-ended leash, so no true dual-connection steering; single-clip use is less effective.
Verdict: For owners who already own a good double-ended leash — otherwise, buy the set. Check the price on Amazon.
3. Freedom Training Package (1″, Medium) — Best for Serious Pullers
The Training Package bundles the harness with the double-ended training leash (3.5 feet when used dual-connection, 5 feet single) and training instructions. This is the version trainers actually recommend for hard pullers, because the package teaches the method: front clip to redirect, back loop to discourage, and how to fit the thing correctly — which matters given the sizing complaints above.
The honest part: the leash is short. One detailed owner review listed it as nitpick #1: even someone on the shorter side found the leash needed a bit more length, and the O-ring connecting the handle to the leads has no swivel, so it twists and needs regular untwisting. Those are small things on a well-made product, but they’re real.
Specs: Freedom Harness (1″) + double-ended nylon training leash + training instructions · leash 3.5 ft dual / 5 ft single · same sizing, warranty, and Made-in-USA build.
Pros: complete system with training guidance; dual-connection leash included; same quality hardware and warranty.
Cons: leash runs short for some handlers; no swivel on the O-ring so leads twist; premium price.
Verdict: The full anti-pull kit — best choice if pulling is a real problem, not a minor habit. Check the price on Amazon.
4. Freedom Harness (5/8″, Small) — Best for Small Dogs
The 5/8″-wide version covers XS, S, and M for dogs under ~40 lbs (Italian Greyhounds, JRTs, small terriers). Same martingale loop, same dual-connection design, same Swiss velvet — just scaled down, and the smaller loop actually fits small dogs better than the 1″ version’s loop fits medium dogs (the trainer comparison noted the 5/8″ Medium’s smaller loop sits the chest straps higher and more correctly).
Complaints are the line’s usual ones plus a small-dog twist: the harness is not made for dogs under 14 lbs — if your dog is truly tiny, even the XS is too much harness. And some small dogs find any martingale loop annoying enough to freeze up or paw at it; desensitize with treats.
Specs: 5/8″ webbing · XS 15–20″ / S 18–24″ / M 22–28″ chest · same martingale loop, front ring, 4 adjustments, stainless hardware, Swiss velvet · for dogs ~14–40 lbs.
Pros: properly scaled loop for small dogs; same no-pull mechanism; Made in USA.
Cons: not for dogs under 14 lbs; some small dogs fuss over the tightening loop at first.
Verdict: The small-dog Freedom — measure carefully, as small dogs sit at the trickiest end of the size chart. Check the price on Amazon.
5. Blue-9 Buckle-Neck Balance Harness — Best Trainer Alternative
The other harness professional trainers recommend: the Blue-9 Balance Harness. It’s a different philosophy — six adjustment points (more than the Freedom’s four), front and back D-rings, no martingale loop at all, and a buckle-neck design so the dog doesn’t have to step into it or have it pulled over the head. Also made in the USA. The brand notes it runs slightly large and stresses using its size chart — measure the ribcage about 2″ behind the elbow, not the chest.
The honest comparison: there’s no tightening “feedback” like the Freedom’s loop, so for a dog that only responds to that chest pressure, it may be less effective. It’s also at the premium end of the price range, and the buckle-neck style is a love-it-or-hate-it thing — escape artists that back out of harnesses need the neck fit checked carefully.
Specs: 6 adjustment points · front and back D-rings · buckle-neck · nylon · Made in USA · sizes S (17.5–25.5″ ribcage), M (21–32″), M/L (24–35.5″).
Pros: most-adjustable fit in the category; no over-the-head fuss; trainer-recommended; Made in USA.
Cons: no martingale feedback — less “no-pull” for some dogs; premium price; buckle neck needs careful fit on escape artists.
Verdict: The precision-fit alternative — choose it if you hate martingale loops and love adjustability. Check the price on Amazon.
6. rabbitgoo No Pull Harness (Large) — Budget Alternative
The Amazon-mass-market answer: rabbitgoo’s padded vest harness with front and back metal leash rings, four adjusting straps (two neck, two chest), an overhead design with two quick-release buckles, a top grab handle, and reflective strips. It’s typically a fraction of the Freedom’s price, it pads the chest and belly in a way the Freedom’s bare webbing doesn’t, and the front clip does redirect pulling — the basic mechanism works.
The honest framing: a vest harness trades steering precision for comfort. The vest covers more coat (hotter on summer hikes), the front clip can ride up toward the throat on hard lunges, and there’s no martingale loop and no velvet lining — it’s a padded vest, not a precision instrument. Sizing runs on weight ranges that overlap confusingly, so measure the chest and neck, not just the weight. Fine for moderate pullers and casual travel; serious pullers will outgrow it.
Specs: padded vest (polyester oxford + air mesh) · front + back metal leash rings · 4 adjusting straps · 2 quick-release buckles · top handle · reflective strips · XS–XL.
Pros: cheapest way to try front-clip training; padded and comfortable; reflective for night walks.
Cons: less steering precision than the Freedom; vest traps heat; front clip can ride up on lunges; sizing chart is confusing.
Verdict: The budget experiment — good enough to learn whether front-clip training works for your dog. Check the price on Amazon.
How to Choose a No-Pull Harness
Measure the chest, not the weight. Every brand’s sizing complaints start with weight-based guessing. For the Freedom, measure around the largest part of the chest right behind the front legs and take the smallest size that still fits. For the Blue-9, measure the ribcage 2″ behind the elbow. Weight charts overlap and mislead.
Decide on the martingale loop. The Freedom’s tightening loop is its engine — it gives the dog clear feedback when pulling. Some owners and trainers dislike any tightening mechanism; if that’s you, the Blue-9 (no loop) is the better philosophy match. Don’t buy the Freedom and then complain about the loop.
Front clip for steering, back loop for feedback. The Freedom’s real trick is using both at once with a double-ended leash. Buying the harness-only version and clipping a single leash to the back is like buying a bicycle and removing the front brake — it works, but you’re missing the point.
Check the width-to-dog ratio. 5/8″ webbing suits dogs under ~40 lbs; 1″ suits bigger dogs. Too-wide webbing on a small dog is stiff and uncomfortable; too-narrow webbing on a giant breed concentrates pressure. This is one place the Freedom’s two widths beat one-size harnesses.
Mind the armpits. Chafing behind the front legs is the #1 comfort complaint across all no-pull harnesses. The Swiss velvet lining is the Freedom’s answer; a proper snug fit (two-finger rule) is yours. If the harness is loose, it rubs. If it rubs even when snug, try the Blue-9’s different strap geometry.
Budget for the learning curve. No harness trains the dog by itself — the Training Package’s instructions exist for a reason. Pair any of these with actual loose-leash training and the pulling fades; rely on the harness alone and you’ll be shopping for the next one in a year.
Bottom line: the Freedom Harness + Leash Set (1″) is the best all-rounder for medium-to-large pullers — dual-clip steering, velvet lining, and a real warranty. Get the Training Package if pulling is severe, the 5/8″ version for small dogs, the Blue-9 if you want precision fit without a martingale loop, and the rabbitgoo if you want to test front-clip training on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Freedom No-Pull Harness work?
It has two mechanisms: a martingale control loop on the back that tightens gently around the chest when the dog pulls (discouraging pulling), and a structural ring on the front chest that lets you redirect the dog’s attention. With a double-ended leash attached to both, you can steer the dog like reins.
What size Freedom Harness should I get?
Measure around the largest part of the chest, right behind the front legs, and choose the smallest size that still fits. When you’re on a boundary measurement (e.g., exactly 28″), many owners report the Medium runs snug and size up to Large. If in doubt, check 2 Hounds Design’s own sizing guidance — and keep the receipt.
Is the martingale loop safe? Does it choke the dog?
The loop tightens around the chest, not the neck — it doesn’t choke. It applies gentle pressure around the ribcage as feedback. Fit it snugly (two fingers under the straps) so it can’t loosen into something the dog can back out of.
Can my dog chew through the Freedom Harness?
Any dog can chew through nylon eventually, but 2 Hounds Design offers a lifetime chewing warranty: they’ll replace up to two chewed straps free — you only pay shipping. Don’t leave the harness on an unsupervised chewer, though.
Freedom Harness vs. Blue-9 Balance Harness — which is better?
The Freedom gives stronger anti-pull feedback via its martingale loop and dual-clip steering; the Blue-9 gives a more customizable fit (six adjustment points, buckle neck) with no tightening mechanism. Strong pullers: Freedom. Fit-fussy dogs or owners who dislike martingale loops: Blue-9.
Does the Freedom Harness work for small dogs?
Yes — the 5/8″-wide version covers XS through M for dogs from 14 lbs up to ~40 lbs. Below 14 lbs, it’s too much harness; look at cat/small-dog-specific options instead.
