Walking your dog is one of the simplest yet most enjoyable activities you can do to further strengthen your bond with your furry friend. It’s important to choose the right dog accessory, which leads us to the question: which is better—a collar or harness? If you’ve been debating getting one or the other, this guide will give you information on the key features of each accessory so you can make a better choice for your furry friend.
Are collars better than harnesses?
It’s an established fact that collars have been the standard dog accessory that showcases ownership and doubles as a standard walking retrofit for dogs. Although these are commonly used, many veterinarians have been speaking up in recent years against the use of collars because of their negative long-term effects on our furry friends. You can find a variety of designs online here https://www.dogfriendlyco.com/collections/harnesses as it offers every kind of harness for various purposes.
What are the dangers of dog collars?
Did you know? Collars are much more dangerous than you think—strangulation because of collars is a pretty common experience among dogs, although there are instances of freak accidents as well. Your dog’s collar can get entangled in the crate, in the furniture, and may even be yanked during playtime with another dog. This is dangerous because it puts pressure on their trachea, which can lead to discomfort or, worse, respiratory problems and injuries. Because of this, veterinarians and dog trainers encourage dog owners to opt for harnesses instead.
What are the advantages of a dog harness?
If you’ve been meaning to switch over harnesses but are still undecided about doing so, here are a few advantages on why it’s the better choice for your dog.
It provides proper support. Compared to collars that strictly apply pressure on your dog’s neck, a harness distributes the pressure evenly across your furry friend’s chest and shoulder, thus reducing the strain on their necks.
It gives you better control over your dogs.
It fits snugly and provides comfort. Whether you have a puppy or a dog in training, harnesses can give you more control over your dog, especially for those furry friends who tend to pull along once they get a little too excited. In addition to that, it also makes it easier for you to break up a potential altercation in case it encounters a fellow canine they don’t like, making it easier for you to redirect their attention.
It offers increased safety. Aside from the fact that collars can choke dogs, they also tend to slip off easily. Harnesses, on the other hand, are much more secure with their multiple straps, making them a safer choice during activities or emergencies.
What are the types of dog harnesses?
There are different kinds of harnesses available on the market, but they can be subdivided into three main categories which are the following:
Back clip harness. As one of the most popular dog accessories on the market, the back clip harness is a staple for many dog owners because of a few features. It’s easy to put on—you just need to slide the straps over your dog’s front legs and fasten them. Dog owners also favor this because it gives a better view of the leash and discourages pulling, which comes in handy for dogs that are still in training.
Front clip harness. This type of harness works the same as the back clip; the only difference is that the clip is attached to the front, at the dog’s chest. So when your dog tries to lunge forward, the harness pulls your friend back and redirects the momentum toward you.
H harness. This harness has an H shape once worn by your dog, with the straps fastened around their chest and back. It’s one of the easiest harnesses to put on for your dog since there’s no need to lift your dog’s legs. It fits snugly, constricting movement when they lunge but enough for them to move around, giving you better control over them.
No pull harness. This type of harness distributes the pressure evenly across your pet’s chest, which discourages pulling. This harness lessens the chances of injury and provides comfort for your furry friend.
We may have associated collars as the default dog accessory for our furry friends, but now that we’re more aware of the potential risks and injuries they carry, it’s time to make the switch to harnesses. Not only do harnesses offer better comfort and support for our pets, but they also give us better control over our dogs and increase their safety.
