Is a Dog Harness Better than a Collar?

If you are a first-time dog owner, you might be just getting to know about all the different accessories for your beloved pet. You will likely have bought a lovely comfortable bed (which will no doubt be chewed to bits at some stage), a feeding bowl for food and water, and lots of little toys to keep the new pup occupied. You may have also bought a collar for your dog.

Most dog owners will put a collar around their pet. In fact, many breeders will use colored collars on a litter to help them identify the pups in the early days. Collars are used for holding dog tags and for training, with a leash often attached to the collar when taking the dog for a walk.

However, the people at Voyager Harness say that a dog harness is often a popular alternative to a collar for training. So, which is better?

What is a Harness for Dogs?

Rather than strapping around the neck like a collar does, a dog harness is placed over the dog’s head and is then strapped around the torso. A leash can then be attached to the D-ring on the back of the harness, alleviating any pressure on the neck.

The truth is that some people favor a collar for their dog while others prefer a harness. Before you decide, it is a good idea to look at the pros and cons of each.

Pros and Cons of Dog Collars

Perhaps one of the biggest pros of a dog collar is that it can be worn at all times, provided it is not too tight. It can then hold identification tags for the dog should it get lost.

A collar can give you more strength over your dog, particularly if your dog is quite big.

Collars are available in a variety of styles and are comfortable for dogs. Dog trainers usually recommend collars in the beginning as they make it easier to train the dog to walk.

The downside of collars is that some dogs can wriggle free from them, especially if their heads are a similar size to their necks. Furthermore, if the dog pulls a lot when walking, a collar can lead to pressure on the neck, causing pain and injury.

Pros and Cons of Dog Harnesses

A dog harness is great for dogs that pull because there is no pressure on the neck, reducing the risk of injury. Harnesses are more comfortable when walking and because the leash clips at the back, there is less chance of it getting caught around the dog’s legs.

It is necessary to make sure the harness is fitted correctly because if it is too tight it will be uncomfortable for the dog while if it is too loose, the dog could wriggle free. Furthermore, a poor fitting harness could result in pressure on the spine.

When the weather is hot, dogs can get warm and sweaty when wearing a harness, which is uncomfortable for them.

Choosing Between the Two

Most people who use a harness will also use a collar on their dog for identification purposes. The choice between using a collar or a harness for training will depend on a variety of factors including the size of the dog and whether it pulls when walking.

If you have a dog that is susceptible to tracheal collapse, such as a poodle or miniature dachshund, you should never use a collar for walking and training. Other breeds, including whippets and pugs, have heads the same width as their necks and can easily wriggle free from collars.