For those of you who enjoy walks with Fido as much as he does, making sure he wears the most comfortable attire can make your daily adventures all the more enjoyable. Collars may be the more traditional and convenient option, however, wearing a harness does indeed work better for some dogs. Read on to find out the pros and cons of dog collars vs harnesses so you can choose the one that’s best for you and your canine pal.
Things to Consider
At one time or another, most every dog lover has walked a pooch that liked to tug pretty hard on the leash. Some dogs may even end up choking themselves on the leash as they try to drag you along. While getting a harness for Fido may seem like a logical solution in these instances, this isn’t always the case.
Here are a few things to consider when trying to determine which device is best for your dog:
His behavior
His size
His comfort level
By understanding the pros and cons of collars and harnesses, you can choose the one that works best for you and Fido.
Pros and Cons of Dog Collars
Pros
Can be worn all day long
Can be ideal for dogs who don’t usually pull on the leash
There’s a variety of styles to choose from, such as:
Prong and choke collars, which can be used for training purposes
Slip collars, which prevent dogs from slipping the collar over their heads
Cons
Can cause neck injury, which can happen easily with smaller dogs
Can pose a choking hazard, especially for dogs that tend to tug on the leash
May be uncomfortable for dogs with respiratory problems
May be difficult to control your dog if he yanks or pulls hard on the leash
Pros and Cons of Harnesses
Pros
You have more control during the walk
Reduced risk of neck injury
More comfortable for dogs with respiratory problems
Works great when you’re teaching your puppy how to behave on leash
Cons
Should not be worn all day long
Can irritate the underside of some dogs’ legs
Your dog’s fur can wrap around the straps of the harness and get tangled, especially if he has long fur
Some dogs just don’t like wearing harnesses, which makes more work for you
If you have more questions or would like to schedule an appointment for your pooch, please don’t hesitate to call our office anytime!
