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Harness Versus Collar
January 30, 2023
How do you choose the right dog harness? Great question!
A Harness should be the safety net you have between you and your dog to keep you both safe, comfortable and in control. It should be quality. It should enhance communication.
Understanding how and why a harness can be a better choice for you and your dog than just a collar and what a harness can do for you beyond just attaching a leash is VERY important. HARNESSES ARE GENERALLY SAFER, MORE SECURE FOR YOUR DOG. Both for general walking and to secure them in the car while traveling.
It’s been proven attaching a leash to a front loop in front of the chest on your harness will help you to curb some undesirable behaviors which means you’re already a step ahead. They are not all the same though. Most aren't designed adequately to protect your dog from injuries directly due to the shortcomings in their designs and poor fittings which don’t serve the dogs or the people.
Safety
Questions to ask when searching for a harness
Does one clip really make you feel secure that your dog is safe? What if it unclips? Your dog is now off leash and could be in danger. Is it strong? Does it fit him right? Can he slip out? Is it interrupting his shoulder movement because it pulls too low on his sho ulders? How many clips insure it stays secure? Is there a handle on the back to grab him if you need or just hold? Can he be clipped while your driving so not to be thrown out in an accident? Is it breathable? Is it choking him?
Comfort
Let’s face it - our dogs are family now and accustomed to comforts. You’ve seen your dog at home, they generally prefer a bed, couch, padding, your lap. Unless they are hot then they may prefer a cooler floor. Did you know? Their body temperature runs a little higher than o urs?(they are wearing a coat after all) They don’t have a choice of what you put on them, but, doesn’t it seem logical that some padding between the straps and his body might feel better and be less abrasive all around?
Less friction, more airflow and breathable padding can make a huge difference in your dogs overall comfort and health. Not being pulled by the neck has got to feel better too, wouldn’t you agree? Imagine you were pulled around by your neck... We’re so used to seeing dogs walk on collars we don’t even stop to think how does it feel to them? They seem happy, right? Most of the straps aka webbing, can be abrasive to a dogs body. Pulls on their neck and trachea. Sometimes the webbing is too narrow for the size dog and becomes more harmful than goo d as it cuts into them like a wire might versus being wide enough to balance the weight. Dogs are great at communicating but if you don’t speak dog you may be confusing bad behavior with their discomfort.
Control
Having the right tool and knowing how to use it gives you peace and control. Understanding your dogs body language through education and moderation will make a huge difference in how you react to situations as well as how you lead your dog. Knowing how to communicate through leash handling and having a handle to easily grab and maneuver your dog will offer you and your dog the confidence you need to manage the world around you. Dogs are masters at non - verbal communication so communicating the way THEY understand changes everything and makes your l ife so much easier.
Click the contact page if you have any questions! We're always happy to help guide you.
