When to use a harness vs collar?

When a leash pulls back on a collar, there are blood vessels being constricted, pressure on the thyroid gland, potential deforming of the base of the tongue, and possibly even nerve damage. Collars can cause injuries. Whether it’s a human pulling on a leash to control a dog, or a dog pulling on a leash to go where they want, when either of those things happens while a collar is being worn, there are serious health implications. A leash is not a steering mechanism. Yanking and leash-snapping only result in more yanking and leash-snapping. The problem is that, all too often, a leash function as a steering mechanism, whether it’s the dog attempting to steer the human by pulling, or the human attempting to pull the dog along or back. In an ideal world, that pulling action wouldn’t happen. But since it does happen, it’s better that the force is spread over the dog’s body through a harness rather than concentrated entirely on the neck with a collar. Size, age, and breed don’t really matter. Young dog, old dog, tall dog, short dog – when it comes to collar versus harness, all dogs are better off with a harness. For your dog’s health and wellbeing, choose a well-fitting harness – one that does not constrict your dog’s movement and helps your dog to move freely. But whenever you’re planning to walk, hike, or bike with your dog make sure you’re reaching for a harness, not a collar. Sure, it takes a few more seconds to put on, but every one of them is worth it to keep your dog happier and healthier.

To avoid painful eye problems: switch from a collar to a well-fitting harness. Nothing beats loose lead walking for reducing pressure from a collar, but we all know that not all dogs are perfect when they first start learning. The pressure could damage the windpipe, the thyroid gland and the immune system enough to pose a very big risk to the dog’s health. It only takes one jerk to start causing damage. My advice would be to buy the very best you can afford and think about your dog’s comfort rather than making a fashion statement. My own choice of harness is the Perfect Fit. It has a Y shaped front which means no pressure on the dog’s neck, biceps muscles or supraspinatas tendon. The Y shaped harness allows the dog to move freely. If your dog pulls on the lead, we cover lead walking in our puppy and dog training classes as well as lots of other behaviours that improve your dog’s focus, listening skills and desire to stay by your side.

For puppies who are just learning to walk on a leash, it’s best to stick with a standard dog collar. Collars may give you better control and require less physical strength from you as you’re walking your dog than harnesses, depending on your dog’s size. However, dog collars aren’t the best option for all dogs. If the fit is too loose, your dog may be able to wiggle out and escape. This is especially true for dogs like Greyhounds and Whippets, whose heads are often smaller than their necks. Also, if your dog tends to tug on their leash when walking, a dog harness may be a better and more comfortable option. Harnesses can be a more comfortable option for your dog. Plus, if your dog tends to pull or tug at their leash, harnesses can discourage pulling and help prevent your dog’s leash from getting caught under their legs. Dog harnesses can also help avoid injury, such as throat damage, in small dogs and alleviate dog back pain.

A body harness typically wraps around the dog's torso and has a leash attachment spot on the back or the chest. Here, the pressure (especially when the dog pulls) is distributed across a larger surface area of the body, reducing the risk of injury. Body harnesses come in a variety of types, including no-pull dog harnesses or front clip harnesses, which discourage pulling by training the dog to walk in line with you. On the other hand, dog collars, which go around the dog's neck, have been a long-standing option for pet parents. However, when a dog pulls against a collar, it creates high pressure on the throat and neck, potentially causing throat damage, especially in dogs prone to issues like a collapsed trachea. Large dog breeds such as German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers can greatly benefit from body harnesses. These breeds are generally stronger and have the tendency to pull. Using a no pull dog harness can reduce risks of throat damage and provide better control during dog training or simple walks. For powerful pullers, no-pull harnesses with front clip attachments can help train better leash manners through redirection. Harnesses open up more possibilities for successful training, managing, and enjoying time with your large pup. If considering a switch, just be sure any harness is specifically sized for larger dogs and fitted properly to maximize comfort and security.