Collar or Harness for Your Puppy’s Walks? Here’s What You Need to Know

Puppy with large collar next to adult dog ready for shock collar training
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When it comes to walking your puppy, you may be wondering whether to use a collar or a harness. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately, the decision comes down to what is best for your pet.

A collar is a common choice for many dog owners, as it is easy to put on and take off. However, it can put pressure on your puppy’s neck, especially if they tend to pull on the leash. A harness, on the other hand, distributes the pressure more evenly across your puppy’s body, making it a safer option.

Training your puppy to walk on a leash is an important part of their development, and choosing the right equipment can make a big difference. It’s important to consider your puppy’s size, breed, and temperament when making your decision. Additionally, safety should always be a top priority. Be sure to choose a collar or harness that fits properly and never leave your puppy unsupervised while wearing either.

Collar vs. Harness: Which is Better?

When it comes to walking your puppy, choosing between a collar and a harness can be a difficult decision. Both have their pros and cons, and what works best for one puppy may not work for another. Here are some things to consider when deciding between a collar and a harness.

Puppy with large collar next to adult dog ready for shock collar training

Pros and Cons of Collars

Pros:

  • Collars are lightweight and easy to put on and take off.
  • They are less expensive than harnesses.
  • They can be used to display identification tags.

Cons:

  • Collars can put pressure on your puppy’s neck and may cause tracheal collapse, especially in brachycephalic breeds like pugs and bulldogs.
  • They can be uncomfortable for some puppies, especially if they tend to pull on the leash.
  • Rolled collars can increase the risk of choking.

Pros and Cons of Harnesses

Pros:

  • Harnesses distribute the pressure evenly across your puppy’s body, reducing the risk of tracheal collapse and other injuries.
  • They provide better control over your puppy, making them a good choice for puppies that tend to pull on the leash.
  • Back-attaching harnesses are less likely to interfere with your puppy’s natural movement.

Ella with no pull harness behaving on walk

Cons:

  • Harnesses can be more difficult to put on and take off than collars.
  • They are more expensive than collars.
  • Some puppies may find them uncomfortable or restrictive.

Which is Better for Your Puppy?

Ultimately, the decision between a collar and a harness comes down to your puppy’s individual needs and preferences. If your puppy is prone to breathing issues or is a brachycephalic breed like a pug or bulldog, a harness is likely the safer choice. If your puppy tends to pull on the leash, a harness may provide better control. However, if your puppy is comfortable with a collar and does not have any breathing issues, a collar may be a good choice.

2 month old chiweenie with collar in couch

Regardless of which option you choose, make sure to properly train your puppy to walk on a leash and always use a leash when walking them outside. Additionally, make sure to attach identification tags to either the collar or the harness to ensure that your puppy can be identified if they become lost.

Sources:

Different Types of Collars

When it comes to walking your puppy, you have several collar options. Each collar type has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the one that works best for your pet. Here are some of the most common collar types:

Flat Collars

Flat collars are the most basic type of collar. They are made of nylon or leather and have a buckle or snap closure. Flat collars are great for dogs that don’t pull on the leash and are used primarily for identification purposes.

Rolled Collars

Rolled collars are similar to flat collars, but they are rounded and don’t have any edges. These collars are a good option for dogs with long hair or sensitive skin because they are less likely to cause matting or irritation.

Martingale Collars

Martingale collars, also known as limited-slip collars, are designed to prevent dogs from slipping out of their collars. They tighten slightly when the dog pulls, but they don’t choke the dog like a choke collar would. Martingale collars are a good option for dogs that tend to back out of their collars.

Choke Collars

Choke collars, also known as slip collars, are designed to tighten around the dog’s neck when the leash is pulled. These collars can cause injury to the dog’s neck and trachea, and they should only be used for training purposes under the guidance of a professional trainer.

Prong Collars

Prong collars, also known as pinch collars, have metal prongs that pinch the dog’s neck when the leash is pulled. These collars can cause injury to the dog’s neck and should only be used for training purposes under the guidance of a professional trainer.

In conclusion, choosing the right collar for your puppy is an important decision. Consider your dog’s size, behavior, and any potential health concerns before making your selection. Positive reinforcement training methods are always recommended over punitive measures like choke and prong collars.

Sources: AKC, The Spruce Pets.

Different Types of Harnesses

When it comes to choosing a harness for your puppy, there are many options available. Each type of harness has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your puppy’s needs. Here are some of the most common types of harnesses:

Back-Clip Harnesses

Back-clip harnesses are the most common type of harness. They have a leash attachment on the back of the harness, which makes it easy to put on and take off. Back-clip harnesses are great for puppies who are not strong pullers, as they don’t provide much control over your puppy’s movements.

Front-Clip Harnesses

Front-clip harnesses have a leash attachment on the front of the harness, which helps to control your puppy’s movements. They are a great option for puppies who are strong pullers, as they discourage pulling by redirecting your puppy’s attention towards you.

Leather Harnesses

Leather harnesses are a stylish and durable option for puppies. They are comfortable for your puppy to wear and can last for many years with proper care. However, they can be more expensive than other types of harnesses.

Vest Harnesses

Vest harnesses are a convenient and comfortable option for puppies. They are easy to put on and take off, and many have adjustable straps to ensure a perfect fit. Vest harnesses are a great option for puppies who are prone to injury, as they distribute pressure evenly across your puppy’s body.

When choosing a harness for your puppy, it’s important to consider their individual needs. Whether you choose a back-clip harness, front-clip harness, leather harness, or vest harness, make sure it is comfortable and fits properly to prevent injury.

Safety Tips for Walking Your Puppy

When walking your puppy, safety should be your top priority. Here are some tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable walk for both you and your pet.

Using ID Tags and Rabies Tags

Make sure your puppy wears a collar with ID tags and rabies tags at all times. This will help identify your puppy if they get lost and ensure they receive proper medical care if they get injured.

Avoiding Hot Weather

Avoid walking your puppy during the hottest part of the day, especially during summer months. If you must walk during hot weather, bring water for both you and your puppy and take frequent breaks in shaded areas.

Choosing the Right Leash and Harness or Collar

Choose a leash, harness, or collar that fits your puppy properly and is appropriate for their breed and size. A harness is generally a safer option than a collar, as it reduces the risk of injury to your puppy’s neck and trachea.

Walking Brachycephalic Breeds or Greyhounds

Brachycephalic breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs, and greyhounds have unique anatomies that require special consideration when walking. Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid putting pressure on their neck and trachea.

Preventing Tracheal Collapse

Small breed dogs are prone to tracheal collapse, which can be aggravated by pulling on a leash. Use a harness that distributes pressure evenly across your puppy’s chest to prevent tracheal collapse.

Remember, always supervise your puppy and keep them on a leash when walking in public areas. By following these safety tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable walk for both you and your pet.

Source: PetMD

FAQ

Why you shouldn’t use a dog harness?

Walking your dog with a harness is the right thing to do, but a harness can actually be a bad thing if you leave it on all of the time. A dog harness takes the pressure off of your dog’s neck, but moves it to their shoulders and back or the front of their chest.

If you leave the harness on, the consistent pressure on your dog’s shoulder muscles can lead to aches and pains and even eventual problems with the joints. So, put it on for walking outside, but immediately take it off when your dog is back home to avoid any issues.

Are harnesses bad for puppies?

No, harnesses aren’t bad for puppies, as long as you take it off when you aren’t walking your pup. Harnesses are the ideal way to walk your puppy or adult dog, because with a collar-walk anytime your dog pulls against you or you tug the leash, all of that force goes straight to their neck.

The harness gives you a way to put that force on their stronger backs or chests, so that walking your dog doesn’t have to be such a ‘pain in the neck’.

Do dogs walk better with a harness?

Yes! The harness gives you more control, but there is going to be a bit of a learning curve. This is because when your dog is in a harness, they can pull you with more force than they would with a collar.

Once you get used to this, however, you have a lot more control and your dog gets a nice, happy walk without getting their neck strained in the process.

At what age can you put a harness on a puppy?

You can put a harness on a puppy as early as 8 weeks and while it will be awkward for them at first, they’ll quickly grow used to it. Just remember to keep walks brief – only 5 minutes for every month of age. Aside from this, avoid puddles of water, other dogs, and don’t let your dog sniff feces.

Until around 16 weeks of age, your puppy is still getting their vaccinations, so you need to isolate them as much as possible on their walks to protect them from getting sick before they have a natural defense.

What type of collar is best for a puppy?

That depends on the age of the puppy. If your puppy is under 8 weeks, you need something super-soft and light, like a satin collar or a whelping collar. A whelping collar is designed for newborn pups, to help identify them if they have no obvious distinctive marks, and shouldn’t chafe or strain your pup’s neck.

For 8 weeks and up, a lightweight nylon collar is the perfect choice. It’s strong, comes in reflective colors, won’t strain your puppy’s neck, and they are also quite inexpensive to boot! It should be under 12 inches and adjustable for best results.

What harness is best for a puppy?

You have a lot of good choices out there when it comes to a puppy harness. We recommend that you go with something which is both reflective and well-padded. There are cheap harnesses that are basically just a framework of straps, and these can dig in to a puppy’s sensitive skin, so avoid these.

Look for options such as (or similar to) the ComfortFlex Reflective padded harness. Extra padding at the chest and on the shoulders makes for a comfortable fit and once your pup is used to it, they’ll come running every time that they see that you are getting it for them!

How do I get my puppy used to wearing a collar?

Start off by letting your puppy sniff the collar and see it and after this, try putting it on for up to 5 minutes. After attaching the collar, give your puppy a little praise and a treat, and play with them a little to distract them from the collar.

Take the collar off again after the 5 minutes elapses, give your dog another treat, and repeat the process a little later. Leave the collar on for longer and longer periods, until your pup doesn’t really seem to mind or notice it anymore.

At the latest, your pup should be used to it within 2 weeks, but most puppies will adjust to their collar much faster than that.

How long should a puppy wear a harness?

While you could conceivably leave a padded harness on most or all of the time, it’s not a good idea. No matter how well-fitting and padded the harness is, it still puts pressure on your puppy’s shoulder muscles.

This can lead to aches and pains and further trouble down the line, even with adult dogs, so always take the harness off whenever you aren’t walking your dog with it!

Can a dog harness help with anxiety?

Yes, there are harnesses designed to calm a dog, and these are called ‘anxiety wraps’. These harnesses look a bit like a vest and they apply pressure to your dog’s chest, with the theory behind it being that this pressure is calming as it is similar to a hug or to swaddling an infant child.

While this is unproven, some owners report that they do seem to have a calming effect on their dogs.


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