Many dog owners, even those who had their pets for years, are still confused whether they should use dog collars or harnesses. The dog collar versus harness debate got more attention recently as the movement for eradicating dog collars became more aggressive. While both sides have supporters and benefits, a responsible dog owner should weigh both.
If you wish to learn more about these two methods for keeping canines on a leash, you are in the right place. Just like any dog owner, you are probably looking out for your pet. There’s no better way to do that than to choose the right way of keeping your buddy on a leash.
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Which is better a dog collar or a harness?
This question is incorrect on so many levels. Without any reference, it is impossible to say whether your dog will do better with a collar or a harness. Each dog is unique and choosing which leash will work best for them will depend on their breed, physique and behavior.
Traditionally, dog owners relied on dog collars to keep their pets at bay. However, with greater awareness on how collars can damage a dog’s trachea and how inhuman it is, more people opted for harnesses.
The best answer to this question is this – it all depends on the situation. To give you a clearer idea on what to use, we will discuss when it would be ideal to use a dog collar or when you need a harness.
When should you use a dog collar?
We will start with dog collars since this is the traditional way of keeping dogs on a leash. All of us are familiar with the necklace-like collar whether we own a dog or not. Dogs also feel uninhibited when they are wearing a collar compared to when they are on a harness.
If you have dogs that are not aggressive or not disposed to pulling back when you are taking it on a walk, a collar is a good choice. A dog collar would also be ideal when your dog does not have any tracheal problems.
Traditional collars are also functional and visible. You can attach your dog’s identification and your contact information on your canine’s collar. Aside from that, it’s easy to slip collars on and off.
While these benefits seem promising, collars fell out of grace as studies revealed that the pressure in the neck area causes neck injury, as well as thyroid, neck, and ear problems.
Choosing the right collar is another thing. As much as possible don’t use the metal choke collar on dogs, these devices are simply brutal. Try to stick to the traditional collar or the martingale.
The size of the collar mainly depends on the type of dog you own. Needless to say, the martingale is just the thing to use when you have a sight hound or a dog with a thick neck. When your dog pulls back, the martingale collar gently tightens around the neck so your canine won’t slip off.
When are harnesses the better choice for your dogs?
For their part, harnesses are the perfect choice when your canines tend to pull or lunge their leash. With a harness, you will have more control over your dog. When your dog has a tracheal problem or belongs to a breed with a higher risk of developing such health issue, using a harness is the better choice.
Toy dogs like chihuahuas, poodles, and pugs would be better off with a harness. Pugs, in particular, cannot sustain too much neck pressure. Otherwise, their eyes seem to bulge out of the sockets.
Your dog harness can either be front-attaching or back-attaching. In dog training, using a harness is also ideal. Back-clip harnesses tend to draw your dog’s attention away from you, so try not to use it for training.
If your dog is a large one, the front-attaching harness is better since you will have more control over your dog. For toy dogs and other smaller breeds, you are better off using a back-attaching harness which doesn’t put too much pressure on your pet’s chest.
Final Thoughts
As much as you love your canine, restraining your pet from time to time is necessary. Dogs can succumb to their natural instincts no matter how well-behaved they are. When that happens, you do not want to run after an unruly animal.
Dog training also necessitates the use of restraint. By now, you have a better idea when it comes to the topic of dog collar versus harness. While you can’t choose a side blindly, you can always make the right choice based on your pet’s individuality.
No matter how much you debate on the better choice, the real question is what your dog is and how does it behave. Consider your canine’s health record too! All this information is what you need to make the right choice for your dear pet.