Harness Versus Collar

A dog harness is considered a safer more secure and comfortable option for you to control your dog. Dog collars tend to slip off easily and apply extra stress on their neck and trachea. Less control and security for your dog.

A collar has long been utilized as the way to handle your dog, add identification tags should they get lost and leash to for walks. Lightweight.

We’re so used to seeing dogs leashed on collars we don’t even stop to think about the fact that it's pulling on their neck and trachea. Maybe your dog is a great walker. Most are not. Often behavioral “corrections” are given on the collar and the constant jolting isn’t good for their neck and trachea. Most collars will slip right off a dog at just the wrong time so I wouldn’t trust it as my “go to” item especially for walks when my best buds life could depend on it. Either it's too loose and they can just back right out of them or stop and slide right off their head or people make them too tight and that causes additional strain and rubbing abrasions on neck.

Sometimes the “fashionable look” is too narrow for the size dog and becomes more harmful than good as it cuts into them like a wire might versus being wide enough to balance the weight, especially of larger dogs.

The nice part of a collar is really the ID factor and quick grab option. The Martingale collar is a better collar as it tightens up just enough to stay on but not choke out the dog. (Assuming it’s been fitted correctly) I have seen dogs get out of these as well because of improper fitting. I’ve also seen dogs with them too tight. There are some nice gps collars I'm fond of for ID only. I think collars definitely have a useful functionality and place for dogs but I wouldn’t rely on only the collar out in the world.

The unfortunate part is many people take off their dogs collar at home which is often the best place to have it. If the dog gets spooked out the gate or a door is left open, you have no way for someone to grab or identify your dog quickly and easily. Sure if you have them microchipped someone could take them to a vet and hopefully find you.

Harnesses on the other hand are generally more secure. It’s more evenly distributed around a dogs body to better hold, handle or to retrieve them.

Many have additional advantages that you would not get from just a collar. Safety securing them in a car while traveling, training advantages, control, pockets for essential gear water, poop bags etc.

They also come in many variations that may not truly benefit you at all. Some give a false sense of security and before you know it, your dog is loose also. Like anything that doesn't fit correctly, it can also cause physical harm but with the right care and knowledge they are the better option. 

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