You are trying to decide which is better for your dog—a collar or a harness? The short answer is: You may need both. It depends on the size and temperament of your dog and what it takes to maintain safe control of him.
A collar comes in handy for holding dog tags and clipping a leash, whereas a harness can be used as a training tool for dogs that need a little more direction. Generally, a harness provides greater control, helps reduce pulling, and makes lifting your dog easier.
Here’s when you would use one over the other:
Why a Collar?
A collar is worn around your dog’s neck and features attachment points for a leash and ID tags.
Traditional collars can be problematic because they can slip off easily, put a strain on your dog’s neck, and don’t allow for much control when walking.
So When Do I Need a Harness?
If you’re doing more with your dog than just walking around the block, a harness is probably a good idea. Here’s why:
Eliminates choking
If your dog is a serious puller, you may want to try a harness. Unlike a traditional collar, which tends to choke when a dog pulls aggressively toward something, harnesses evenly distribute the weight across your dog’s chest. A harness that is fitted properly won’t restrict your dog’s neck or ability to breathe easily.
Control and training
Harnesses can have multiple leash attachments on the front, back, and chest area. Not only do these attachments prevent the leash from getting tangled in your dog’s legs, but they also help reduce pulling. For example, when the leash is attached to the chest area D-ring of a harness, it will be harder for your dog to pull. If she tries to pull, this configuration will result in her being turned around every time she pulls, getting her nowhere.
Lifting
Harnesses give you extra places to grab when you’re trying to lift older dogs, get your dog out of harm’s way, or give your adventuring pup a hand over rocks or other dicey areas while hiking. Our Journey Air Dog Harness features a convenient handle on the back, so you can quickly grab your dog in a dangerous situation or provide extra assistance when needed.
Carrying stuff
When you’re out on the trail, you may need extra room for your dog’s travel essentials. Our Stash n Dash Harness were designed with this need for versatility in mind. If you do a lot of outdoor adventuring, you also might consider a dog backpack, like our Baxter Dog Backpack.
Riding in a car
Dogs can be a dangerous distraction in the car, especially if they’re nervous passengers. A car safety harness not only protects your dog in the event of an accident, it also keeps him in one place. The harness attaches securely to the child restraint system in your car, preventing your pup from roaming around.
Kurgo dog harnesses come in different styles and sizes. Once you’ve decided on the harness that best fits your needs, you’ll need to determine the correct size for your dog.