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The Help 'Em Up harness comes up in almost every conversation about helping an old dog stand, walk or climb stairs. It is a two-piece, full-body lift harness that can stay on all day, with handles front and back. The most common complaint about it is not that it breaks. It is that it does not fit the way owners expect.
This review explains how the harness works, how sizing is meant to be done, why it can fit loose on senior dogs, and which alternatives suit dogs it does not. It is research-based. We read the maker's sizing guidance, product pages and published owner reports; we did not test it on our own dog, and we do not give it a star rating.
Key takeaways
- What it is: a front chest piece plus a rear hip-lift piece, each with a handle, designed to be worn through the day.
- Five sizes from 10 to 225 lb, each adjustable in 11 places, per the maker.
- Sizing is mostly by weight, but the maker recommends sizing down when between sizes and, for dogs with hind-end muscle loss, a smaller rear piece.
- Fit problems usually come from lean dogs, dogs at the top of a weight band and dogs with muscle wasting.
- Best for dogs that need help many times a day, or at both ends. For occasional rear support, a sling is simpler.
Help 'Em Up Harness
Two-piece full-body harness (front + hip lift), sizes for 10–225 lb, conventional and U-band (male) styles
Pros
- Lifts front, rear or both with separate handles
- Designed to be worn for long periods
- Male (U-band) and conventional versions
Cons
- Most expensive option here
- Sizing is fiddly; the maker suggests sizing the rear down for dogs with muscle loss
How the Help 'Em Up works
The harness has two parts. The front piece wraps the chest and shoulders. The rear "hip lift" piece goes around the hindquarters. Each piece has its own handle, and the two can be joined. You can lift the front to help a dog onto a step, the rear to help it stand, or both together for stairs or getting into a car.
There are two hip-lift styles. The maker's guidance is that the conventional style suits all female dogs and most males, and the U-band style is for male dogs whose anatomy sits further back. Choosing the wrong style can put a strap in the way when the dog urinates.
The maker also sells accessories, such as walking handles that attach to the harness's D-rings, and every harness now ships with a wash bag for machine washing. The maker states a one-year warranty and a 14-day size exchange.
Sizing: how it is meant to work
The maker lists five sizes:
| Size | Dog weight (per maker) |
|---|---|
| X-Small | 10–25 lb |
| Small | 25–45 lb |
| Medium | 45–80 lb |
| Large | 80–125 lb |
| X-Large | 125–225 lb |
The maker says total weight is the most important measure, and that if your dog is on the cusp of two sizes you should size down. It then adds two adjustments that matter a lot for seniors:
- Muscle loss in the hind end: older dogs with atrophy may need a smaller rear piece. The maker's example is a 50 lb dog that would normally wear a Medium but may do better with a Small rear and a Medium front.
- Barrel-chested breeds: may need a larger front piece. The maker suggests sizing up the front and down the rear.
It sells front and rear pieces separately for this "mix and match" fit.
Why it can fit loose on senior dogs
A scale shows how heavy a dog is, not its shape. Two 60 lb dogs can have very different chests and hindquarters. Older dogs commonly lose muscle over the back legs and hips, so a senior dog's rear end can be much slimmer than its weight suggests. That is why a weight-based rear piece can end up loose even at its tightest setting.
Owner reports reflect this. For example, one owner on Trustpilot described buying a Large for a 120 lb dog and needing to shorten the straps a lot, with long excess shoulder strap left over. Other owners report cutting excess strap and sealing the ends; K9 Magazine's reviewer described doing this after adjusting the fit. If you are unsure, contact the maker before cutting anything, because cutting may affect an exchange.
To avoid most fit problems:
- Weigh your dog, then measure its chest at the deepest part of the rib cage and its waist just in front of the back legs.
- Compare your dog with the chart and the maker's notes, not just the weight band.
- If it is lean, near the bottom of a band, or has lost muscle at the back, consider a smaller rear piece.
- When it arrives, fit it before removing tags, and use the exchange window if it is wrong.
Fitting it well
- Snug, not tight. You should be able to slide a couple of fingers under the straps, and the harness should not shift when you lift.
- Check rub points behind the front legs and around the hind legs after the first few days of wear.
- Loosen or remove for long rests if your dog seems uncomfortable lying in it, and check the skin underneath regularly.
- Tuck away excess strap so it cannot trip you or catch on furniture.
What it does well
- Handles at both ends make stairs and car entry far easier than a towel or single sling.
- Designed to stay on, so it is ready whenever the dog needs to get up.
- Wide weight range, with mix-and-match pieces for unusual body shapes.
- Male-specific U-band option.
Where it falls short
- More complex to put on than a sling, at least the first few times.
- Fit can take trial and error on lean or muscle-wasted dogs.
- Long straps on larger sizes need tidying.
- Costs more than simple slings.
Alternatives
| Product | Key specs | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Help 'Em Up Harness | Two-piece full-body harness (front + hip lift), sizes for 10–225 lb, conventional and U-band (male) styles | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| GingerLead Dog Support Sling | Padded rear sling with integrated leash, male and female cuts, dogs up to 250 lb, made in USA | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Walkabout Original Back End Harness | Rear-end harness that wraps the hind legs, top handle, made in USA; 7 sizes (XS–XL) chosen by abdomen and upper-thigh measurement | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| PetSafe CareLift Rear Lifting Aid | Rear-only lifting sling with handles; the linked listing is size Large; check the size chart on the listing | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Specs are from manufacturer and retailer listings and can change between versions; check the listing before you buy. We don't show prices because they change often; the button shows the current price on Amazon.
- GingerLead if your dog only needs rear support for walks and steps. It goes on and off quickly. See Help 'Em Up vs GingerLead.
- Walkabout Back End Harness if you want a rear harness that wraps the hind legs and can stay on, sized by abdomen and thigh measurements.
- PetSafe CareLift rear lifting aid as a low-cost spare.
We compare all four in Rear support harnesses for large senior dogs. For car entry specifically, see the best dog lift harness for getting into a car.
Who should buy it
The Help 'Em Up makes most sense for a dog that needs help to stand, walk or climb many times a day, or needs help at the front as well as the back. Pair it with grippy floors, because a harness helps most when the dog's feet can grip. Our guide to non-slip runner rugs covers that.
Related reading: our guides to slings for IVDD recovery and help with steep indoor stairs.
FAQ
Does the Help 'Em Up harness run large?
It can on lean or muscle-wasted dogs, because sizing is mainly by weight. The maker recommends sizing down when between sizes and a smaller rear piece for dogs with hind-end atrophy.
Can a dog wear the Help 'Em Up all day?
It is designed to be worn through the day. Check the skin for rubbing, and loosen or remove it if your dog is uncomfortable resting in it.
Which hip lift should I choose?
The maker says the conventional style suits all female dogs and most males, and the U-band suits males whose anatomy sits further back.
Can I wash the Help 'Em Up harness?
The maker says every harness now ships with a wash bag so it can be machine washed.
Prices change often, so we do not list them. Check the current price on Amazon.
Sources
- Help 'Em Up, Choosing a Harness and product page.
- K9 Magazine, Help'EmUp Harness Review.
- Trustpilot, Help 'Em Up customer reviews.
