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This dog harness review will cover two of the most popular harnesses on the market: Help ‘Em Up Harness and Ruffwear Web Master Harness.
We got the dog harnesses for Duke, who was having trouble getting in and out of a vehicle. Both of these harnesses allow us to give him a boost when he’s jumping up and down.
Duke has been with us since 2008. Now that Duke is getting older, he’s having trouble jumping in and out of our Jeep Wrangler due to problems with his hind legs.
Since he doesn’t like to be picked up, we needed a solution. Through our research, we turned to dog harnesses.
The two top harnesses we found were the Help ‘Em Up and the Ruffwear. Both companies sent us a harness for Duke in exchange for a honest review of the product.
22 thoughts on “Dog Harness Review – Help ‘Em Up vs Ruffwear Web Master”
Thanks for the reviews. Looking into something to help me out with my 80lb golden. He has had previous knee surgery and needs some help getting into my new outback. Also-I noticed you mentioned your dog’s fuzzy paws. My golden has the same issue and I get his paws shaved in between the paw pads and it prevents him from slipping on slippery floors. Have you tried that? Sometimes I do it myself with special dog scissors, but it takes a really long time.
Looking for a harness for my English mastiff they had ACL surgery and will go have the other back leg done soon. I am worried about the helpemup not holding up? Any advice ?
I really like the Help Em Up harness but unfortunately the company didn’t stand behind their product. I used it for one TPLO surgery and stored it away and trying to use it for the second surgery the front clips started failing randomly which makes lifting the dog with the harness dangerous. I contacted the company and they said it was out of warranty. This harness has had maybe 4 months of use total. That is very poor support.
I have a 14 yo, 80# Lab/Shepherd mix who is a tri-pawed. I got the HelpEmUp harness about 2 years ago and it is wonderful. The only problem I had was the rear strap would slip off her stump. I wrote the company and they sent me an extra strap that connects that side with the front harness, which keeps the rear strap in place. Much better! It takes a little work to get her in to it because she is very active and doesn’t want to sit still, but once she’s in – we’re off to the races! I, too, have washed mine and it has held up perfectly. The company is very helpful and I would buy another in a heartbeat!
Thank you for making this video. My 8 year old beagle-basset has arthritis in his front legs that make it difficult for him to walk up the stairs to my apartment. I’ve been looking around to find the right harness for his condition, and it looks like the Help ‘Em Up will be best for him. Thanks again!!
I purchased the help em up harness after much research when my Alaskan malamute had an FCE( fibrocartilagunous embolism) at the age of 13 and lost use of his rear from the waist back! He weighed 93 #. With lifting his rear with this2 part harness he was able to potty and be lifted in and out of the car. At about 3 mths post embolism he strated with use of his rear and eventually was able to walk again. I continued to use the harness as a help for him in his old age . When he died at 16 I donated his harness. Harness was in perfect shape after being send for 3 years ! I washed it in the washer and air dryer it many times over the 3 years . There was no breaking or fraying of any part!! I would highly recommend this harness for any dog with mobility issues !
No question the webmaster is a much better fit. It conforms to the body much better. The ‘help me up’ harness doesn’t conform and just doesn’t fit well, and seems to shift forward. That said, if my dog had severe mobility issues, I can see how the ‘help em up would be good. Absent that, I returned it and opted for the ruffwear webmaster. I also tried a dean & Tyler, and the Ruffwear beats that too.
Hi, do you know of anyone that can help me? I need a rear harness for my dog, his hind legs are paralyzed, it’s very hard for me to get him outside to potty, my back has been injured trying, he’s a happy dog, but I live on disability & we desperately need help, he’s my best friend & I don’t want to put him to sleep. If u can help us or know anyone that can, could u please email me? Thank you for your time.
Hi Sheila – what type of help are you looking for? Advice on what harness to buy or financial help to make the purchase? Based on the issues your dog seems to be having, the Help ‘Em Up seems like it would be the best option for you. I believe they sell the rear harness separately if that’s all you need. In terms of financial help, we’d suggest a site like gofundme.com that will allow people to help you in a situation like this.
Thanks for the really great video.. makes it really easy to see the two harnesses up close and see them in action. I was wondering if you had any opinion on the Ortocanis rear support harnesses, I had bought one last year to help my 70 lb mutt get in and out of the car when her back legs started to become arthritic and I was really pleased. The whole transaction cost me less than $50. It’s definitely not a harness that’s as robust for hiking or lots of outdoor, tough activity, but for our day to day it worked wonders for us and made my life so much easier.
loved loved loved your video! thanks you so much for making this video. i learned a lot. my four legged angel also thanks you from both the bottom of your hearts. i now know what tpye of harness to get her. it will be tough on me being a widow with a teenager know a handicap four legged angel.but she is well worth it,if need be i will sell my tv to pay for herwll worth harnes…thankyou again suzy
Great Review. My dog has DM and rear legs no longer work. I was told by a therapist to try the helpem up with lead, however didnt want to spend this much if it doesn’t work. I think I am going to give it a try now.
Hi Joe! thank you for your review… I have a 12-year-old 80# german shepherd/greyhound rescue dog. He just started having hip strength issues recently. In addition to a fitPaws peanut for exercises, I have been looking at these two harnesses. It seems as if the Help’em Up might be a better fit for him but I’m concerned about the stitching and the hooks… Did either one affect range of motion? Jax is still very active. Your thoughts are appreciated so much!
Sandy – I wouldn’t worry about the stitching on the Help ‘Em Up…now that we’ve used ours for a while its been holding up really well. I would say that the choice really comes down to whether or not you can lift Jax. Duke is still able to jump a bit, so the Ruff Wear harness works well and its a joint effort to get him in and out of the Jeep. However, we have also been using this to help my mother’s 80# lab and he can’t jump, which makes lifting him much harder. Here, the Help ‘Em Up is really the better choice because you can lift from the front and rear.
Thanks for the reviews. Looking into something to help me out with my 80lb golden. He has had previous knee surgery and needs some help getting into my new outback. Also-I noticed you mentioned your dog’s fuzzy paws. My golden has the same issue and I get his paws shaved in between the paw pads and it prevents him from slipping on slippery floors. Have you tried that? Sometimes I do it myself with special dog scissors, but it takes a really long time.
We never tried it with our Husky. He didn’t like us messing with his paws so we left him alone.
Looking for a harness for my English mastiff they had ACL surgery and will go have the other back leg done soon. I am worried about the helpemup not holding up? Any advice ?
I really like the Help Em Up harness but unfortunately the company didn’t stand behind their product. I used it for one TPLO surgery and stored it away and trying to use it for the second surgery the front clips started failing randomly which makes lifting the dog with the harness dangerous. I contacted the company and they said it was out of warranty. This harness has had maybe 4 months of use total. That is very poor support.
I have a 14 yo, 80# Lab/Shepherd mix who is a tri-pawed. I got the HelpEmUp harness about 2 years ago and it is wonderful. The only problem I had was the rear strap would slip off her stump. I wrote the company and they sent me an extra strap that connects that side with the front harness, which keeps the rear strap in place. Much better! It takes a little work to get her in to it because she is very active and doesn’t want to sit still, but once she’s in – we’re off to the races! I, too, have washed mine and it has held up perfectly. The company is very helpful and I would buy another in a heartbeat!
Thank you for making this video. My 8 year old beagle-basset has arthritis in his front legs that make it difficult for him to walk up the stairs to my apartment. I’ve been looking around to find the right harness for his condition, and it looks like the Help ‘Em Up will be best for him. Thanks again!!
I purchased the help em up harness after much research when my Alaskan malamute had an FCE( fibrocartilagunous embolism) at the age of 13 and lost use of his rear from the waist back! He weighed 93 #. With lifting his rear with this2 part harness he was able to potty and be lifted in and out of the car. At about 3 mths post embolism he strated with use of his rear and eventually was able to walk again. I continued to use the harness as a help for him in his old age . When he died at 16 I donated his harness. Harness was in perfect shape after being send for 3 years ! I washed it in the washer and air dryer it many times over the 3 years . There was no breaking or fraying of any part!! I would highly recommend this harness for any dog with mobility issues !
No question the webmaster is a much better fit. It conforms to the body much better. The ‘help me up’ harness doesn’t conform and just doesn’t fit well, and seems to shift forward. That said, if my dog had severe mobility issues, I can see how the ‘help em up would be good. Absent that, I returned it and opted for the ruffwear webmaster. I also tried a dean & Tyler, and the Ruffwear beats that too.
Hi, do you know of anyone that can help me? I need a rear harness for my dog, his hind legs are paralyzed, it’s very hard for me to get him outside to potty, my back has been injured trying, he’s a happy dog, but I live on disability & we desperately need help, he’s my best friend & I don’t want to put him to sleep. If u can help us or know anyone that can, could u please email me? Thank you for your time.
Hi Sheila – what type of help are you looking for? Advice on what harness to buy or financial help to make the purchase? Based on the issues your dog seems to be having, the Help ‘Em Up seems like it would be the best option for you. I believe they sell the rear harness separately if that’s all you need. In terms of financial help, we’d suggest a site like gofundme.com that will allow people to help you in a situation like this.
Thanks for the really great video.. makes it really easy to see the two harnesses up close and see them in action. I was wondering if you had any opinion on the Ortocanis rear support harnesses, I had bought one last year to help my 70 lb mutt get in and out of the car when her back legs started to become arthritic and I was really pleased. The whole transaction cost me less than $50. It’s definitely not a harness that’s as robust for hiking or lots of outdoor, tough activity, but for our day to day it worked wonders for us and made my life so much easier.
We haven’t seen/used the Ortocanis so we can’t offer an opinion on it but it’s great to hear you had such a great experience with it.
loved loved loved your video! thanks you so much for making this video. i learned a lot. my four legged angel also thanks you from both the bottom of your hearts. i now know what tpye of harness to get her. it will be tough on me being a widow with a teenager know a handicap four legged angel.but she is well worth it,if need be i will sell my tv to pay for herwll worth harnes…thankyou again suzy
Hi Suzy – Glad to hear the video helped you figured out the right harness for Angel. Hope it makes life a little easier for you both.
Great reviews!
So happy that Duke is feeling more confident. 🙂
Thank you!
Great Review. My dog has DM and rear legs no longer work. I was told by a therapist to try the helpem up with lead, however didnt want to spend this much if it doesn’t work. I think I am going to give it a try now.
Thanks JB. We’re glad you found the review helpful. Hope this helps your pup get mobile again.
Hi Joe! thank you for your review… I have a 12-year-old 80# german shepherd/greyhound rescue dog. He just started having hip strength issues recently. In addition to a fitPaws peanut for exercises, I have been looking at these two harnesses. It seems as if the Help’em Up might be a better fit for him but I’m concerned about the stitching and the hooks… Did either one affect range of motion? Jax is still very active. Your thoughts are appreciated so much!
sandy bassett
Sandy – I wouldn’t worry about the stitching on the Help ‘Em Up…now that we’ve used ours for a while its been holding up really well. I would say that the choice really comes down to whether or not you can lift Jax. Duke is still able to jump a bit, so the Ruff Wear harness works well and its a joint effort to get him in and out of the Jeep. However, we have also been using this to help my mother’s 80# lab and he can’t jump, which makes lifting him much harder. Here, the Help ‘Em Up is really the better choice because you can lift from the front and rear.