When it comes to doing what is best for your dogs, you may be wondering which is better – a collar or harness. In fact, other dogs do better with collars while other dogs do best with their harness. It all boils down to how you choose. Written in this article are the positive and negative effects of both options, along with a few clues about choosing the right one.
Pros and Cons of Dog Collars.
The standard collar is the most common choice for dog owners because it’s convenient; you could leave the collar on your dogs at all times and it carriers their ID tags. The main con of the collar is that it could contribute to neck injuries if not used properly. If your dog has the tendency to pull on the leash, prolonged pressure on the neck could result in injury. Also, if your dog is wearing a collar and suddenly chases something, when he reaches the end of the leash, he will be pulled back, putting all that pressure on their neck.
Various Forms of Dog Collars.
There are actually various versions of the dog collars, some of which are controversial – the choke collar, prolonged collar, and Martingale collar. The choke and prolonged collars are usually not suggested for obvious reasons (they could be harmful to your pet) but the Martingale collar certainly has its uses. This form of the collar is also known as the slip collar and it works by closing around the neck (decreasing in size) when your dog pulls on the leash – this prevents your dog from slipping out of the collar.
Pros and Cons of Harnesses.
A harness differs from a collar in that it takes the pressure off of your dog’s neck and distributes it either across their chest or back, depending on the design of the harness. The main benefit of a harness is that it deters injuries to your dog’s trachea, most especially if they have the tendency to pull on the leash. Another benefit of the harness is that it gives better control over your dog – this is also an advantage if your dog is overly active. Also, it doesn’t offer much control if your dog has the behavioral issue. These concerns include displaying aggression, jumping, or leash pulling.
Various Forms of Harnesses.
Similar to collars, there are various forms of the harness to choose from. The two main types are front-attaching and back-attaching harnesses. A back-attaching harness is designed with the strap that goes around the dog’s stomach and a section that comes between the front legs – you then connect the leash to the clip on the back of the harness. A front-attaching type has the strap that goes around the stomach behind the front legs and wraps around the front – the harness tightens if your dog pulls and it clips in the front of the harness.
Whether you choose a harness or collar is ultimately up to you but it would be wiser for you to at least make an informed decision. Collars are recommended for dogs that don’t pull on the leash.
