There is a specific moment this harness is built for: a squirrel, a cyclist or another dog appearing at the wrong second, and needing to physically hold your dog for two or three seconds. The padded handle across the back gives you that grip without hauling on the lead or grabbing at a collar, and it is the single feature owners of big, bolting or reactive dogs most often end up wishing they had bought.

Both a front and a back D-ring are fitted, which is what separates a harness that helps with pulling from one that merely holds a lead. Clipped at the chest, a hard pull turns the dog gently back towards you instead of letting them drive forward; clipped at the back, it returns to an ordinary relaxed walk. Padding through the chest panel spreads that pressure rather than concentrating it along one strap edge.

• Front and back D-rings for training or relaxed walking
• Padded top handle for close control
• Heavy-duty padded construction
• Adjustable straps with a secure buckle
• Sizes S to XL in black, mocha green, peacock blue and grey
• Listed weight 153g to 197g depending on size

On what a front clip does and does not do. It makes pulling less rewarding; it does not teach loose-lead walking on its own, and a dog who has pulled happily for five years will still pull for the first few weeks. Measure the chest girth behind the front legs before choosing a size, because a neck measurement and a body weight will both mislead you here.

Who it's for: Strong pullers, dogs in lead training, and anyone walking a large dog somewhere they may need to take hold quickly.