Dog harness Versus Dog Collar- Which is better?
Should you use a dog collar?
It can be tricky to decide whether or not your dog should wear a collar or a harness for walks. A lot of it depends on your dog himself, from the breed to his age and activity level.
It’s always smart to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of all your options. Keep reading for a breakdown of exactly what’s good — and not so good — about both harnesses and collars.
Harness Pros
- It’s an effective training tool, especially for puppies.
- Harnesses are great for specific breeds. According to Harmony Animal Hospital, “A harness is also a good option for dogs like Pugs, who risk their eyeballs protruding from the sockets if too much pressure is put around their neck.”
- They provide better control over your dog because it discourages pulling and jumping.
- They keep distracted pups focused.
- They’re great for dogs with short noses, like Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Pekingnese.
- Dogs with respiratory problems and neck injuries benefit from harnesses because pulling on a collar can provoke coughing.
Harness Cons
- Your dog might just not like the feeling of a harness.
- Back-clip harnesses might not be 100% effective. They have a tendency to train your dog to ignore you because when you pull on the leash, your dog’s attention is directed away from you rather than toward you.
Collar Pros
- They’re good for pups who dislike the feeling of a harness and crave comfort.
- They provide visibility and function. It’s easy to put your dog’s tags on them and are easy to take on and off.
Collar Cons
- They’re not ideal for training.
- Any slight pulling could increase the likelihood of a neck injury.
- They create eye pressure, which can worsen any existing eye problems like glaucoma.
- Positively also outlines more severe problems such as thyroid issues (the collar could damage the gland), behavior problems due to pain and injury, and ear and eye issues from neck pressure.
