Help 'Em Up Harness Review: An In-Depth Look for Giant & Arthritic Breeds

The Help ‘Em Up Harness is one of the most practical full-body lift harnesses for large, giant and arthritic senior dogs, especially when you need to help your dog many times a day. Its separate chest and hip sections, joined along the back with handles on top, let you lift the front, the back or both, close to your dog’s center of mass. It is not the right tool for a dog that needs only occasional rear help, or one that can no longer walk, and fitting takes some care.

How this review was put together: we have not physically tested this harness. This review is based on the manufacturer’s published design and sizing information and on recurring patterns in owner feedback. Where owners commonly report something, we say so; we do not invent ratings or figures. For the bigger picture of where a harness like this fits, see our mobility aids and harness guide.

Verdict

For a heavy dog with arthritis, hip dysplasia, early to middle-stage degenerative myelopathy or general age-related weakness, the Help ‘Em Up is a strong choice when help is needed often. The main advantages are well-placed handles, load spread across the chest and pelvis, and a design meant to stay on so you are not wrestling a sling under a dog that has just slipped. The main disadvantages are a more involved fit than a simple sling, more straps to check for rubbing, and difficulty fitting some body shapes.

If you are still deciding between this style and a belly sling, our comparison of rear-lift slings and full-body harnesses sets out the trade-offs.

Design and specifications

Two-part construction

According to the manufacturer, the harness has two main parts:

• A front (chest) harness that sits around the chest and behind the front legs, with a handle over the shoulders.
• A rear (hip lift) section that wraps around the hindquarters, with a handle over the hips.

The two sections connect with a strap along the spine. The rear piece can be removed when a dog needs only front support or during periods when hind-end help is not needed, which makes the harness useful for dogs whose needs change over time.

Handles and lifting geometry

The handles sit on top of the dog, roughly over the shoulders and hips. This matters for the person lifting. Handles close to the dog’s back let you lift with your arms closer to your body and a straighter spine, instead of reaching out and down to a sling strap. With a large dog, the difference adds up across many lifts a day. The two handles can be used together for a level, whole-body lift, or one at a time, for example lifting only the rear when a dog rises from lying down.

Load distribution

Instead of concentrating force on the belly, as a basic sling does, the harness spreads load across the chest at the front and around the pelvis at the back. This is generally more comfortable for the dog and keeps pressure off the abdomen. It is also a better fit for dogs where supporting the trunk evenly is important, though dogs with spinal disease should be lifted only as their vet advises.

Materials and wear

The harness is padded and adjustable at multiple points. It is designed for extended wear, and the maker offers accessories and replacement parts. As with any fabric harness worn for long periods, it needs regular washing and drying, so some owners keep a second harness or liner set to rotate.

Who it suits

• Large and giant breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes and Newfoundlands, where handle position protects the helper’s back.
• Arthritic dogs that struggle most with rising, stairs and getting into the car.
• Dogs with progressive weakness like DM in its early and middle stages, where needs grow over months.
• Dogs with weakness or instability at both ends, or dogs that need steadying after a vestibular episode.
• Post-operative patients recovering from orthopedic surgery, when the surgeon approves harness use.
• Households helping many times a day, where leaving the harness on saves time and struggle.

Who it does not suit

• Dogs that need only occasional rear help. A simple sling is quicker and cheaper.
• Dogs that can no longer walk a useful distance. A wheelchair does more for these dogs; see our guide to the best rear dog wheelchairs.
• Some extreme body shapes. Owners of sighthounds and other very deep-chested, narrow-waisted breeds more often report trouble keeping the rear section in place. Check sizing carefully or contact the maker before buying.
• Dogs that lie down almost all day. Long wear on a mostly recumbent dog raises the risk of sores; put it on for assists instead.
• Dogs in strict rest after spinal injury or surgery, until your vet clears harness use.

Vet note: If your dog has IVDD, a recent spinal surgery or another back problem, ask your vet or rehab therapist how to lift. Uneven lifting can bend or twist the spine. Any new weakness, knuckling or loss of bladder control needs a prompt vet exam before you rely on a harness.

Recurring patterns in owner feedback

Looking across owner comments and reviews, a few themes come up again and again. We report these as patterns, not as measured results.

• Ease of lifting. The most common praise is that owners can help a heavy dog up, over steps and into the car with less strain, particularly using both handles at once.
• Leaving it on. Many owners value being able to leave the harness on through the day so help is ready the moment the dog needs it.
• Initial fitting. A common complaint is that the first fitting takes time, with multiple adjustment points and some trial and error before the fit feels right.
• Sizing on unusual shapes. Owners of deep-chested, slim-waisted dogs more often report the rear section shifting or a less secure fit.
• Rubbing. Some owners mention rubbing at the leg straps or armpits, usually solved by adjusting, adding liners or reducing wear time.
• Durability. Many owners describe long service lives with regular use, and the availability of replacement parts is mentioned positively.

Living with it day to day

A full-body harness changes the daily routine more than a sling does, because it usually stays on. A typical pattern for owners who leave it on through the day looks like this:

• Morning: put the harness on after your dog’s first stretch, before the first trip outside. Use the rear handle to help with rising and the back steps.
• During the day: leave it on so you can steady your dog on floors, stairs and in the car without fetching gear. Check that the straps have not shifted after long naps.
• Walks: use the handles lightly, only when your dog falters, so it keeps doing as much as it can.
• Evening: take it off for the night, check the skin, and let both the harness and your dog’s coat air out.

If your dog lies down for most of the day, consider putting the harness on only for planned assists instead. And if the harness gets wet with urine or rain, dry it fully before the next use, as damp straps against skin are a common cause of rubbing.

Fitting tips

1. Measure chest girth properly. Use a soft tape around the deepest part of the chest just behind the front legs, with your dog standing. Check weight too, and compare both with the current size chart.
2. Fit the front section first. It should sit snugly without pressing into the throat or rubbing in the armpits.
3. Fit the rear section with the dog standing. Adjust so it sits around the hips and stays put when you lift, without crossing the sheath or vulva.
4. Use the two-finger rule. You should be able to slide two fingers under every strap.
5. Test with a gentle lift. Lift slightly with both handles. The harness should rise evenly without twisting or sliding.
6. Keep the feet on the ground. Lift only enough to assist. The goal is support, not carrying.
7. Check skin daily. Look under every strap, especially the armpits, chest, inner thighs and around the tail.

Good technique matters as much as good gear. Our guide to safe lifting mechanics for heavy senior dogs covers how to use your legs, not your back, for rising assists and car transfers.

Alternatives

Walkin’ Lift Combo Harness

The Walkin’ Lift Combo Harness offers a similar front-and-rear concept, with pieces that can be used together or separately. Worth comparing if the Help ‘Em Up sizing does not suit your dog’s shape.

GingerLead Dog Support & Rehabilitation Harness

For dogs that need only rear help at specific moments, the GingerLead sling is simpler and quicker to put on and take off. It does not offer front support or long wear.

Ruffwear Web Master Harness

The Ruffwear Web Master is an everyday harness with a sturdy top handle. It suits steady dogs that need only a brief boost over a step or into the car, not dogs needing true lift support at the hindquarters.

Wheelchairs

When the hind legs can no longer carry a walk, a cart becomes the main tool and a harness becomes the helper for transfers. See our rear dog wheelchair buying guide.

Making it work at home

A lift harness is easier to use in a home set up for an older dog. Non-slip runners reduce the number of times you need to lift at all, and ramps take the strain out of car and couch access. Our home accessibility hub covers those changes. To see whether the harness is helping over time, record rising ease and walking stamina with our mobility tracking checklist.