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Style, Convenience, And Comfort: My Small Dog Tries Rover’s Walking Gear

Written by: Molly Weinfurter
Molly Weinfurter is a writer for iHeartDogs, and she’s passionate about helping animals in need. She volunteers for Bailing Out Benji and a local dog rescue.Read more
| Published on August 23, 2023

Going for walks is the highlight of the day for many dogs. It’s more than just an opportunity to do their business because it also gives them a chance to exercise, take in new smells, and explore their surroundings. Yet, your dog’s walking experience can be affected by the harness and leash you choose. With so many walking products out there, choosing ones that check all the boxes can be overwhelming.

My rescue dog Mabel and I have tried a variety of harness and leash brands throughout her life with our newest being Rover’s walking gear. Rover sent us some of their high-quality products, including a harness and a leash so we could see if they improved Mabel’s walks at all. Let’s dive into my little dog’s experience with these items.

Check out the Rover Store, Free Shipping on Orders over $59!

Mabel wearing harness in the car

What Products Did We Receive?

Mabel and I received several great walking products to test out, including:

I was a little nervous about choosing the harness size because I didn’t want it to be too tight or too loose on her. Mabel’s size (15 pounds, 18-inch girth) is on the larger end of the XS on the size chart. I chose an XS anyway, and my first impression was that it looked too small. However, I was able to adjust it to the maximum size, and it fit her almost perfectly.

Even though I only have one dog, I will definitely get lots of use out of both leashes because I sometimes foster dogs or take shelter dogs to adoption events. So, it’s always good for me to have several quality leashes available.

Rover walking gear products

An In-Depth Look at the Products

After receiving the walking gear, I took Mabel for lots of walks with her new harness, alternating between the two leashes. Mabel is always a little hesitant to put a harness on at first, but once she has it on, she walks comfortably. Here are some pros and cons of Rover’s walking gear.

What We Loved

I like the harness a lot because it’s easy to put on without having to lift your dog’s legs. On the harness, it even has a few labels, such as “back” and “chest” so you can figure out how it goes on, even if you’ve never used it before. The vibrant pink color I chose suits Mabel really well, and I love that it’s so bright because it makes her more visible when walking. Plus, the design prevents her from hurting herself if she pulls.

Both leashes worked really well with the harness, and they’re of much higher quality than the leashes I’ve used in the past. The handles (one on the end and one closer to the dog) are padded, making them comfortable to grip onto. Both have a secure carabiner that locks into place to prevent it from breaking. The larger leash requires you to twist and push it open in one motion while the smaller leash requires you to twist it up or down before locking/unlocking it. Both seem really secure while still being easy to use.

Walking Mabel with Rover leash

 

The hands-free poo carrier is life-changing, and I can’t believe I haven’t purchased a product like it before. Sometimes, carrying a poop bag in my hand isn’t easy, especially if I’m walking a foster dog with Mabel or need to check my phone during a walk. The Bag Buddy made it easy for me to walk Mabel without worrying about dropping the poop bag in the process. The larger leash even comes with one attached spot to carry a used bag while the Bag Buddy has two spots.

What Could Be Better

There isn’t much I would improve on these products; I plan to continue using them because of how sturdy and convenient they are. Even though the large leash is better suited for big dogs, I prefer it because I like the vibrant teal color of it while the other leash only comes in black. It would be great if, in the future, both leashes would come in as many colors as the harness.

Also, I love how secure the clips on both leashes are, but they do feel a bit bulky for a small dog. Luckily, they don’t bother Mabel, but they might be too heavy for dogs that are smaller than her. If you have a big dog, the leash clips are a perfect size and seem strong enough to contain any breed.

Walking Mabel with slim Rover leash

Who Would I Recommend These Products To?

I believe any dog parent could greatly benefit from Rover’s walking gear. The harness is easy to put on and safe for pets, the leashes are comfortable to hold with sturdy clips, and the poo carrier makes cleaning up after your dog convenient.

However, these products are best for dog parents who walk frequently because of their durability. Dog walkers and families with high-energy breeds would benefit the most from these sturdy leashes and harnesses. Plus, the Bag Buddy has slots for two poop bags, making it beneficial for walking several dogs at once.

Check Out Rover’s Products and Services!

Rover’s shop not only sells this high-quality walking gear, but it also features a variety of other pet products, such as treats, toys, and training supplies. Check out the Rover Store, Free Shipping on Orders over $59.

Mabel wearing harness outside

However, supplies aren’t the only thing Rover has to offer. Rover.com is best known for its dog sitting and dog walking services. They offer all of the following:

So, whether you just need a few supplies or you need someone to watch your dog while you’re away, Rover has you covered. And if you’re interested in working with dogs, consider becoming a dog sitter for Rover.

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