Is a Collar or Harness Best for My Dog

One of the most common question new dog owners asks, is a collar or harness best for my dog?  So, today we take a look at the pros and cons of dog collars and harnesses to help you pick the best one for your canine bestie!

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The answer will depend on your dog; their breed, size, temperament and the purpose for picking a collar or harness.

Dog Collar or Dog Harness Which is Best

Above collar is a Collar and Harness Combination <<

Collars

Until recent years a collar was the most traditional piece of dog gear. Nowadays dog harnesses are equally used and both for good reason. When buying a collar it is easy to get overwhelmed with the types of collars available. The most common is a simple flat collar, with a buckle and clip to attach your dogs leash.

Now with this said there are a wide variety of collars, beside that flat collar there are martingale collars, and more controversial collars such as the choke chain. Some of which require special care and training  to use as not to cause injury to a dog.

What to Look for When Buying the Best Collar

When choosing a flat collar aka ‘traditional’ collar  it’s important to chose one made with good quality fabric, a strong buckle with a breakaway feature. In addition collars with reflective materials provide better visibility for nighttime walking.

There are collars with lights and  some have reflective accents. Some dog harnesses have multiple adjustments, multiple attachment points such as loops, clips, and buckles too. But make sure it is the right fit for you dogs neck and that it is adjustable if he grows.

Easy to Put On and Off

Simply wrap the collar around your dog neck and fasten. Or other collars such as a slip collar or martingale they slip over the head and voila! Collars are easy to put on and take off your dog, especially when compared to some of the more fiddly canine harnesses.

Above is the Blueberry Reflective Adjustable Dog Collar

If a collar is well fitted it is unlikely that your escape artist will get away from you.  However, if your dog wriggles hard and determined to get away then a harness may be a better option. Unless you use a specialty collar and invest in some daily training.

Less Friction On Your Dog’s Body

A collar goes around the dog’s neck. Which means there less friction, and less impact on the dog’s natural range of motion. Since there is little contact it allows for free flow of air around your dog, keeping him cool while allowing him to move with ease.

Add Id Tags Easily

Dog Tags on Amazon <

Nearly all collars have a buckle or clip to add your dogs essential dog tags. 

Collars are Easy to Size and Fit

There are hundreds of collars that fit all types of dogs. From teacup breeds like Poms and Yorkies, to our medium breeds like Aussiedoodles and our beautiful rescue dogs and all the way up to  Labradors and Leonbergers. They are easy to find and easy to get one to fit your dog. From toy breeds to very large dog breeds, finding a collar of the right size is really easy.

Roam High Quality Collars on Amazon <

These are a few of the pluses for a collar over a harness for your rescue dog.

Down Side of Collars

Collars are ideal for daily use. They are perfect for attaching identification tags and taking charge of your dog quickly. But if your rescue dog pulls then a collar may not be the best for your pup.

Choking

If you or your dog is untrained and a collar is used incorrectly it is easy to accidentally choke or cause damage to a dog. Neck and throat injuries are common place especially when you have a dog who is an aggressive puller. And when walking or training it is easy to tug and pull which can cause stress for both the dog and their owner.

Above is a Heavy Duty Collar for Medium & Large Dogs

Limited Control

When a dog is pulling there is little chance that you will have control over your dog. This is dangerous for you, your dog and those around you. When there is lack of or limited control a dog can pull, jump up or worse they can escape if they are determined.

If you chose to use a collar then it is best to get a recommendation for a collar from a professional dog trainer or behavioral specialist. Then takes training lessons where you and your dog will best learn to use the collar properly. Dog harnesses with strong chest plates and back handles give you much more power in a much safer way.

Cannot Grab Your Dog Quickly

Unlike a harness where you can grab your dog in an emergency a collar is not safe. Grabbing or pulling a dog by the collars is a sure way to injure them.

The Pros and Cons of a Harness for Dogs

Above is PoyPets Harness Ideal for Small Breed Dogs <

Provides Better Control

One of the best things with most harnesses is that they have a top and chest leash clip.  This means you can adjust where you  place the leash to keep optimal control over your dog. This means you can use the leash to raise the pup’s front legs away from the floor, which instantly reduces their pulling power. You also get a handle of the back of the dog’s harness, which you can grab to get even more control.

No Choke, No Pull Harnesses for Walking and Training

Above is the No Pull Dog Harness Adjustable Reflective Oxford Easy Control <

Most harnesses come with two leash attachment points, one on the chest plate and one on the back. This combination makes it much easier to train a dog, especially when they are strong and tend to pull.

Get a Harness With Reflective with High Visibility Trim

The standard dog harness design almost always includes reflective stitching and trim to make walking much safer during dark hours.

Grab Handles

Using the grab handle on the back of the harness, it is really easy to pick up (or partially lift) your dog with no pressure on its neck. This can be handy for anything from lifting the pup into the car to helping it up some rocks when running on the trails.

Cons

Above is the Adjustable Soft Reflective with Microfiber

Chafing (Get the Right Fit)

Since a harness cover a larger area of your dog it is important that a harness fits well. A good fit and will help to keep your dog cool and will sit on the right parts of your dog body to avoid overheating and chafing.

Read out article on the no pull harnesses for small dogs.

Is a Harness or Collar Tougher to Put On 

Easy to Put On Harness for Small and Medium Dogs <

Some of the first harness designs were tough to put on. Especially when compared to a dog collar. Thankfully there are now tons to choose from. There are easy to put on harnesses such as the on above. It is soft breathable and a step in harness and comes in a variety of sizes for most all dog breeds. Once you adjust the straps the first time you won’t need to fiddle around to much the next time. There are lots of step in harnesses available making them easy to put on your dog.

Adjusting to a Dog Harness

If a dog is used to a collar then it may take a little time for them to adjust to wearing  harness. Again, get the right fit and a fabric suitable for their skin and they will quickly adjust.

Benefits of a Dog Harness

Harnesses are idea if your dog tends to pull or is a potential escape artist. In addition they are ideal for:

• Better control at the dog park
• Takes the pressure of a dogs neck
• Helps prevent choking if a dog pull and tugs
• Alleviates pressure on a dog with trachea issues.
• Allows for adaptable clips in front and back
• Quick access to grab your dog for better control
• Can make some dogs feel secure

Benefits of a Dog Collar

A good collar is best for dogs who do not pull or try to wriggle their way out. In addition they are ideal for:

• All day long use
• Attach Id for daily use
• Quickly attach a leash and go

Concluding Dog Collar or Harness Best