Dog Collar Or Dog Harness: What Does Your Dog Need

Does your dog pull at their leash excitedly on their walks? Is this putting a visible strain on their physical movements? Are you planning their first walk with a dog whom you’ve just welcomed home?

In any of these situations, you will need to consider either a dog harness or a dog collar for your pet. Whether you're a new pet parent buying walk essentials for the first time or looking to replace an old one, more and more pet parents like you are choosing to go with a harness over a collar for their puppies and dogs these days. Here’s why: 

The neck is an important part of the dog’s body—it helps with movement and protects a lot of sensitive muscles, including the windpipe. When you put a dog collar around this area, not only does it restrict neck movement but could also potentially damage these sensitive muscles, especially when the collar is pulled. Even pulling the collar once could lead to severe damage—imagine what happens with repetitive pulling?

Here’s an exercise you can try—put a collar around the base of your neck. With your fingers pull at it. What you experience is similar to your dog's experience. If the collar rides up just a little higher, it hits your windpipe. Imagine pulling hard at the collar when it’s sitting on your windpipe. 

A dog harness on the other hand sits on completely different parts of the body (the chest and around the shoulders)—leaving the neck completely free of any restrictions or potential damage. Not only that, given that dogs use their shoulders to move forward  (walk and run), a harness, when placed correctly, allows full shoulder movement as well. 

Finding the right dog harness is important to ensure that the equipment you are using does not have a huge impact on your dog's movement and body. While choosing a harness, you must look for: 

• Strong buckles that operate well 
• Light yet strong fabric and rings
• No sharp edges
• Design that fits well to ensure maximum safety for your dog

So, what are the different types of dog harnesses available? You can choose from any of the following, either from the HUFT website or your nearest HUFT store.

1. Vest Dog Harness
   Removes pressure from neck
   
   
2. Dog H-Harness
   Allows great freedom of movement and full shoulder mobility
   
   
3. Easy On Dog Harness
   Quick and convenient to wear

Looking for a dog leash to go with the harness? Choose from our wide range of dog leashes curated by our in-house experts for different dog sizes, breeds or ages.

HUFT Tip

Having said that, we do understand that in some circumstances, dog collars can be useful, such as for identification purposes. They could also make for great accessories on your dogs. Some dogs may, in the beginning, benefit more with collars. For instance, with dogs who may struggle with being touched over their heads, a collar could be a starting point. But it’s important to be mindful of how much they are pulling at the collar. In such cases, we recommend using the Martingale Dog Collars.

Street dogs are another example who may be more comfortable with collars than harnesses. But remember, street dogs are free roaming and don’t have a leash attached. 

It’s always helpful to understand how your dog’s body functions, so that when you pick essentials for them, you can pick the right ones without causing any potential, unintentional damage. 

Want to introduce your puppy to a collar & leash? Check this video out by Shirin Merchant:

FAQs

What if my dog escapes from the harness? 

Finding the right size is key to ensuring a snug fit for your dog. You can check out the size charts of the different dog harnesses here or connect with our Customer Care team at 011 40845122 to help you with a sizing recommendation. 

Will the dog harness cause/stop pulling? 

Walking equipment like harnesses don’t cause or stop pulling, they simply work as safety equipment. To address leash pulling, do reach out to a behaviour consultant. 

I have heard that harnesses can cause spinal injuries as well. Is that true? 

There is no documented evidence of dog harnesses causing injuries but there is multiple evidence (both published and anecdotal) on dog collars causing severe neck injuries. 

*All imagery used is the property of Heads Up For Tails and cannot be used or distributed without prior permission.

*All content inspired from BHARCS and Galen Myotherapy.