Whether your puppy is growing old or you’ve adopted a new dog, every dog parent comes across a dilemma on whether you should use a dog collar or a dog harness.
Dogs, no matter what size they are, need routine exercise and to be taken out on a walk. Not only does it improve your dog’s physical health, but it also helps you develop a stronger bond with your dog.
Irrespective of the breed of the pet dog that you own, be it a French bulldog, Saluki, or a German shepherd, always comes the point when your dog tugs pretty rough on the leash. They tend to go against you and pull against the leash, thus creating tension in it.
It can often result in your pet choking itself on the collar. Factors like this raise questions on whether to use a dog collar or a dog harness and which one is the better option for your dog.
However, the decision of using a dog collar rather than a harness also relies on the type or breed of dog that you own. For instance, for a German shepherd, dog collars are recommended. In contrast, for a Saluki, a harness is suggested.
In short, choosing between a dog collar and a dog harness depends on the following factors:
- Size of the dog
- Strength of the dog
- Health conditions affecting the dog and the owner
Without any further ado, let’s dive into whether a dog collar or a harness would work best for your dog.
DOG COLLAR VS DOG HARNESS – WHICH ONE IS THE BETTER OPTION?
Whether you use a dog collar or a harness, they both serve one purpose – allowing dog owners to control their dogs, along with guiding them. Both dog collars and harnesses are used with a leash.
Choosing one between the two depends on the character and nature of the dog. Moreover, the personality of the dog owner also impacts the decision of choosing either. When you’re walking your dog, a substantial amount of force is put forth through the collar, harness, and leash; which is what would help you determine which one is the better option.
Both dog collar and harness have their pros and cons. To help you understand them better, here’s how each of them affects your dog.
EFFECT OF A DOG COLLAR ON YOUR DOG
In case you’re planning on using a collar on your dog, you should know that it controls your dog from its neck. Just like humans, dogs too have vital organs in their neck. These include the thyroid, larynx, trachea, and blood vessels. As you know, a dog collar is strapped around its neck.
Collars are intended to be used when walking your dog. They allow better control of your dog.
While using a dog collar might give you more control of the dog, it also comes with an added risk of injuring your pet, considering the fact that a substantial force is put forth through the collar.
DOG COLLARS – WHEN SHOULD YOU USE THEM?
Dog collars work best for dogs that aren’t prone to pulling against the leash. Moreover, they’re preferred for dogs that don’t have any respiratory issues. Collars are often used to hang the identification tags of your dog.
Dog collars are also more comfortable, in case you’re planning on keeping them on your dog all day long. Considering that dog collars provide more comfort, you can use them on your dogs as long as they stay inside the house.
Fun fact, one easy way to determine if your dog has issues with a collar is when they lick their paws continuously. Dogs lick their feet when the nerves in their front legs are damaged by using a collar. If your dog is doing this, consider using a harness.
EFFECT OF A DOG HARNESS ON YOUR DOG:
A harness slips through your dog’s head along the neck and under its belly. This allows the force that your dog exerts, to be distributed more evenly, in a uniform manner. This lowers the stress on your dog’s neck and allows your dog to walk with ease.
Considering the added comfort your dog has with a harness, more and more dog owners are moving towards using a dog harness. Using a dog harness prevents your dog from pulling, and they allow you to control your dog better.
Similar to collars, a dog harness can also lead to adverse effects on the health of your dog if not correctly fitted, injuring the shoulder blades of your dog.
DOG HARNESSES – WHEN SHOULD YOU USE THEM?
If your dog or pup has respiratory issues, a harness will work best. Moreover, using a dog harness lowers the risk of your dog injuring its neck, particularly when you own a delicate toy breed such as Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Maltese, etc.
For breeds that are prone to respiratory issues it is also preferred to use a harness, these breeds include French bulldogs and pugs. Using a dog harness when you’re taking your dog on a walk also allows you to control your dogs without choking them, in case they misbehave.
CONCLUSION
Both collar and harness serve as restraints for your dogs and allow you to better control and guide your dogs. Collars are mostly preferred for training your pet dogs. Moreover, they discourage barking and prevent your pups from running away. However, using a collar puts stress on your dog’s neck if they tend to pull against the leash.
In contrast, harnesses put no stress on the dog’s neck. They effectively distribute the stress from the force that your dog’s experience when you’re walking them, and they pull against the leash.
