Escape-Proof Dog Harnesses That Even Houdini Would Have Trouble Getting Out Of

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Do you have a dog that seems to be the reincarnation of Houdini?

I’ve got one like that.

You know who Houdini was, don’t you? He was an escape artist and illusionist.

My whippet Indy seems to be privy to Houdini’s tricks.

I’ve had whippets for around 50 years, but I never had one who thought she was Houdini until Indy. Living out in the countryside, my neighbors have chickens and cats roaming around. Indy, with her escape skills, made it her mission to chase these critters. While she never harmed a cat because they quickly climbed the nearest trees, chickens weren’t as lucky.

After a few incidents that required me to reimburse my neighbors for their prize rooster, I knew something had to change. It was time to find a harness that could keep Indy contained.

Typical Dog Harness

At the time that I needed an escape-proof harness for Indy, the typical harness looked like the one in this photo.

It looks pretty good, doesn’t it?

This dog is gorgeous, but the harness is not escape proof. Dogs that want to get loose when they see something to chase can easily back out of this harness that has only two straps, one over the front of the dog and another over the chest.

The harness only becomes escape proof when there is a third strap over the belly. Take a look at two of my whippets in their escape-proof harnesses. You can see a strap goes around the front and another over the chest – just like the previous photo. But these escape-proof harnesses have a third strap called a belly strap. Dogs cannot do their Houdini tricks with this kind of harness.

The Quest for an Escape-Proof Harness

If you’re a fellow dog owner with a canine escape artist, you know the struggle. Standard harnesses with only a chest strap don’t cut it. Dogs like Indy need something more secure – something that includes both chest and belly straps to keep them from wriggling free.

After a bit of research and advice from whippet owners in Facebook groups, I ordered the Ruffwear Web Master. This harness was pretty pricey but seemed to be the answer to my problem.  

When I bought this harness many years ago, the Ruffwear Web Master seemed to be the only one that offered this belly strap extra security.

A few years later, other brands came on the market, and I purchased the Peak Pooch, which was more moderately priced and seemed worth a try.

Let’s take a look to see how these two brands compare.   Ruffwear Web Master: Premium Security for Peace of Mind

Price The first thing you’ll notice about the Ruffwear Web Master is its price tag. At around $60 to $70, it’s definitely on the higher end. But, if you’re like me and value peace of mind, this harness justified every penny that I spent on it six years ago, and it’s still going strong.

Build Quality The Web Master is built like a tank. It’s rugged, durable, and clearly designed with active dogs in mind – even those that think they need to escape their harnesses in order to honor Houdini.

The materials are high-quality, with reinforced stitching and a robust design that’s built to last. For a dog like Indy, who seems to have a sixth sense for weaknesses in a harness, this durability is key.

Fit and Comfort Ruffwear didn’t just throw together a tough harness – they made sure it’s comfortable, too. The Web Master features foam-padded straps that won’t chafe your dog’s skin, even during long walks or runs.

The harness also offers five points of adjustment, so you can customize the fit to your dog’s unique body shape. This is especially important for whippets and other sighthounds, with their slender frames and deep chests.

Escape-Proof Design Here’s the real kicker: the Ruffwear Web Master is almost impossible for a dog to escape from. The harness includes both chest and belly straps, which work together to keep your dog securely in place.

Indy has tried every trick in the book to wiggle out of it, but the Web Master has held strong every time.

Additional Features As a bonus, the Ruffwear Web Master includes a sturdy handle on the back, which is perfect for helping your dog over obstacles or quickly grabbing them if needed.

It also has reflective trim for added visibility during nighttime walks. Peak Pooch: A Budget-Friendly Alternative That Holds Its Own

Price If the Ruffwear Web Master is a little too steep for your budget, the Peak Pooch harness might be more up your alley. It comes in at around $25 to $30, making it a more affordable option for dog owners who still want a reliable harness without breaking the bank.

Build Quality While the Peak Pooch isn’t quite as rugged as the Web Master, it’s still a well-made harness. The materials aren’t as heavy-duty as those used in the Ruffwear, but they’re plenty strong for most dogs.

This harness should hold up very well. In fact, I bought Moonlight’s Peak Pooch harness four years ago to try it out. He’s a large and very strong whippet, with a powerful prey drive, but this harness holds him secure.

Fit and Comfort The Peak Pooch harness offers a snug, comfortable fit with adjustable straps, though it doesn’t have as many adjustment points as the Web Master – four on the Peak Pooch vs five on the Web Master. The straps are padded, which helps prevent rubbing and discomfort.

Escape-Proof Design The Peak Pooch harness also includes both chest and belly straps, which almost completely eliminates the likelihood of your dog slipping out.

As I mentioned, Moonlight is larger and stronger than Indy and has a very powerful prey drive, but this harness is still going strong.

Additional Features The Peak Pooch harness includes a back handle like the Web Master, which is useful for quick grabs or helping your dog over obstacles. Reflective stitching is also present, though a bit less prominent than on the Ruffwear.

Final Verdict: Which Harness Is Right for You?

Choosing between the Ruffwear Web Master and the Peak Pooch ultimately comes down to your budget. Both are well made and offer the security I need to keep my dogs under control.

Having an escape-proof harness on Indy has been a game-changer. I’d feel confident with either the Ruffwear Web Master or the Peak Pooch. In either, I no longer worry about her slipping out and causing chaos in the neighborhood.

I’ve got a mixture of both brands for my five whippets and probably won’t need to replace any of them, but if I did, I’d probably go with the Peak Pooch as a cost-saving measure.

Note that Shadow’s harness is slipping to one side. I purposely left her straps loose to show you that even when loose, an escape-proof harness really works. She cannot get out of that harness even though I left it loose.

          Other Escape-Proof Dog Harnesses

Ruffwear was definitely the trail blazer in escape-proof dog harnesses, but I now see several other brands on Amazon at varying price points. And keep in mind that you have the choice of color and size in all the brands except the tactical harness (last in the list below), which is specific for large dogs.

Here are a few that might appeal to you.

Tuff Pupper TrailBlaze No Pull Dog Harness for Small Dogs – This harness for small dogs might even be good for cats.

Huntboo Escape Proof Harness, No Slip Dog Harness – This one has a whippet model, so of course, I’d consider giving it a try next time.

Akailea Escape Proof Dog Harness – This cute beagle is an excellent model.

Rabbitgoo Escape Proof Dog Harness – This golden retriever is large, but the harness comes in several sizes.

Fayogoo Tactical Dog Harness for Large Dogs – The ad says that this harness is ‘tough as nails’ for large dogs and is made from military grade material.