When it comes to being a dog owner, walks are the most important things you can do for your four-legged friend.
These daily jaunts keep your dog healthy physically and mentally. The outside stimuli keep them sharp as they sniff and investigate everything they can.
It’s also a great way to bond with your pup.
Walks can also be quite an undertaking depending on the behavior of your dog. Some pups are reactive and like to pull, while others may take a seat and refuse to go any farther than your front step.
One of the most integral dog necessities is the dog harness, a tool that is not only used for training but can go a long way in preventing health issues.
Collars were once the go-to leash hook up, but harnesses have taken over as the preference among dog owners, and for good reason.
They give the owner more control.
If you have a very reactive dog who likes to chase squirrels or bark as passersby, a harness is a good way to keep them close to you.
The control is one that’s full body instead of tugging directly at the neck, which can harm your dog.
They’re helpful for training puppies.
As evident in the previous point, harnesses are great for getting new puppies used to walking in a controlled manner.
For puppies especially, a front-clip harness is best. Harnesses that clip in the front discourage pulling while walking, a bad habit you’ll want to break early.
They prevent slip-outs.
Neck collars are much easier to wiggle out of than a full chest harness, making it more likely a dog triggered by outside stimuli will escape as they tug on the leash.
The last thing you want is your dog running into traffic, crowds, or other dogs that may not be friendly.
They avoid entanglement.
An enthusiastic dog can be quick to bounce and twirl around, causing the leash to twist in many directions.
Entanglement of the dog on the leash and the leash around you is much less likely with a harness hook up.
They help avoid injury.
A collar that constantly pulls at your pup’s neck can cause back and neck issues in the long run.
Thanks to the way weight is distributed with a chest harness, the strain on the neck and back is significantly less.
Neck and trachea injuries are more common in dogs with collars as they can cause seriously injury with a quick tugging action from the leash. Toy and small breeds are especially susceptible to this because of the lack of neck thickness.
The Other Side
Though the benefits far outweigh the cons, it’s always good to have a full picture when looking at a situation.
One of the downsides to harnesses is that they may not be as easy or quick to put on a dog, whereas a collar most often is almost always on your pet.
Depending on the size of your dog, harnesses may require more physical strength for control when you’re walking and they can be tight if they don’t fit just right, making the dog uncomfortable.
With a little research you can find the harness that’s right for your pup.
