Should I Use a Collar or Harness?

Skye is wearing both a collar and a harness and is comfortable in both.

Actually, this is not an either-or question. Collars and harnesses can have different uses. For example, I advise clients to use a collar on their dogs to attach an ID tag, or the local dog license tag. I advise the use of a harness for leash walks in most cases.

A lot of new puppy owners delay introducing any type of wearable gear to their puppy because when they’ve tried it out, puppy seems not to like wearing it. You put it on them and they scratch and scratch at it. However, this is bound to happen, at whatever age you introduce gear. Soon enough, they get accustomed to wearing gear and very often come to associate it with heading out into the world with their person.

I prefer having dogs wear a harness for leash walking, as it’s (usually) more comfortable for the dog, and there’s less chance of the leash tangling in their feet the way it does with a collar. It’s also worth noting that if the dog suddenly lunges or the leash becomes very taut very quickly, the force on the dog’s neck can damage their trachea. This is especially true for small dogs, but happens with big dogs, too.

In my experience, most people fit their dogs’ gear too loosely, in an effort to avoid making it too tight. However gear that’s too loose is unsafe. A spooked dog can back out of a collar or harness and take off in a flash, so always ensure there’s not more than two fingers’ worth of space under your dog’s gear. If you’re not sure, ask your trainer to assist you or, if you’re trying one on in a shop, the staff may be able to assist.