0
0
Harnesses vs. Collars??
What’s the difference? And… are there any differences?? Why should my pug wear a harness and not a collar??
Which is better? In recent years, many dog owners have started choosing to use a harness instead of a collar. I personally am a HUGE fan of harnesses, but let’s have a look at why you should ask yourself, “Which one is better for MY dog?”
When choosing whether to use a collar or a harness, you should ask yourself three questions:
- What are my training and behavioral goals?
- What is the size and breed of my dog?
- Are there any medical conditions my dog has that might impact my decision?
If your dog does not pull on his/her leash when walking and does NOT have respiratory or trachea issues, then a collar is absolutely fine to use- they work on any size dog and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, etc…
However… here are some things to think about when using a collar:
–they are not ideal for dog training
–there is a risk of neck injury to a dog if the dog tends to pull.
–Collars tend to create eye pressure. According to a study done in 2006 in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, pressure generated when dogs pull while wearing a collar raises pressure in a dogs eye. As a result of that pressure, dogs that are prone to glaucoma may see a dramatic increase in the progression of the disease.
–There is also a chance that a collar could damage your dogs thyroid or trachea if the dog pulls consistently.
–Dogs have been known to slip out of their collar, especially if they are pulling excessively.
–Collars have been known to get caught on objects as your dog plays- if your dog gets his/her collar caught by the neck area, it could cause serious injury.
–Tugging and pulling on a collar puts excessive stress on a dog’s windpipe and will cause your dog to cough.
Ok… now let’s talk about why a harness may be a better choice:
–A harness gives you better control over your dog.
–Harnesses are effective in training your dog.
–A harness is a great option for dogs (like pugs), who are at risk for protruding eyeballs if too much pressure is put around their neck.
–Dogs with short muzzles( toy breeds) are great candidates for harnesses.
–Harnesses discourage your dog from pulling.
— A harness discourages your dog from jumping on people or objects.
–Using a harness on breeds with short noses, like pugs, is vital because of the danger of breathing complications and tracheal collapse.
–Harnesses are ideal for puppies.
–Dog harnesses come in a huge variety of sizes, even for extra small or extra large dogs.
— If your dog harness DOES get caught on something, there is no chance that he/she will hang themselves because the harness is not around his/her neck.
–When training, a harness comes in handy because you have control over the entire body of your dog instead of just his/her neck.
–Your dog may feel more secure and happy in a harness than he/she does with a collar on.
–There is absolutely NO pressure on your dog’s neck with a harness.
–A harness can provide lifting assistance if your dog is elderly or has medical issues making him/her unable to stand or walk easily.
–A harness will help you control your dog if he/she is easily distracted.
–One of the major advantages of a harness is that they will not come off accidentally, even if your dog is pulling excessively. Harnesses embrace your dog’s whole body, so the chance of the harness coming off is very slim.
Dogs that tend to pull a lot and lunge at other dogs are the best candidates for harnesses. A dog that pulls constantly or lunges suddenly subjects his/her neck to harm over time.
*****Collars are a great way to keep your dog’s licenses, medical information, pet owner information, etc… on your dog. If your dog does wear a harness, it might also be a good idea to have them wear a small collar with these tags on it.
Harnesses should be taken off of your dog after his/her walk or during any play time with humans or other dogs.
*****Some harnesses have been known to cause chafing from extended use, so watch for that on your dog and be very careful about quality when choosing a harness.
Front-Attaching Harness or Back-Attaching Harness??
If you own a larger dog, trainers tend to recommend a front-attaching harness. This type of harness attaches on the front of the dog between his/her legs and it creates a tightening effect when your dog pulls. It can also offer you more control over your dog. For a larger dog, a back-attaching harness will not correct pulling behavior.
For pugs or other toy breeds, a back-attaching harness is recommended. A back-attaching harness does not create pressure and a tightening effect in the chest area like a front-attaching harness does. Toy breeds are smaller and more sensitive to pressure so they don’t need the type of pressure that a larger dog would need. According to some trainers, a front-attaching harness can be painful for a small dog.
*****I personally have bought and used several brands and types of harnesses for my pugs. A couple of years ago, I bought a “Blueberry pet” harness from Amazon. I bought it, not because of the quality or the reviews or anything else but because I loved the color of it. I have been very pleasantly surprised because my pugs have been wearing it for right at two years. I’ve never had any other harness last that long. It has not chafed my pugs at all and they wear it a lot. I do, however, take the harness off when they are home. Molly is still wearing this harness and it’s still very durable- it’s showing no real signs of wear and tear. I will definitely buy this brand of harness again. I do want to tell you, though, that for pugs, these harnesses come with or without the chest pad. I would HIGHLY recommend the ones WITH the chest pad. Here’s a link if you’re interested in looking at them:
(This post may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.)
Hope you enjoyed this post. If you have found a different brand of harness that you love, please post a comment and let us know.
Until next time,
Hugs and pug kisses,
Candy
