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Collar vs Halter vs Harness
Which is better for my dog?
It's always an interesting debate when you chat
with dog owners about what equipment they
prefer to walk their dog in. It seems as though
everyone has a different opinion!
So let's break down the pros and cons of 3
different pieces of walking equipment.
COLLAR
Walking your dog on a collar when they don't
know how to walk nicely on a lead brings about
some definite cons.
Collars can cause neck injuries if the dog is
exposed to jerking on the leash by the owner,
being allowed to pull hard on the leash for
long periods of time or from excessive pressure
being applied to the collar. Neck injuries include
bruising, whiplash, crushed trachea, damage to
the larynx and fractured vertebrae.
Leash pulling when wearing a collar can also cause
injury which can impinge on the nerves supplying
the forelimbs, possibly leading to abnormal
sensation in the feet. That doesn't lean in favour
of collars at all.
Halters or Head Collars
Head collars can actually be dangerous to your
dog's neck if not used correctly, just like a collar. If
a dog pulls suddenly to the end of the lead while
wearing a head collar the neck can be jerked back
and cause whiplash or worse, fractured vertebrae.
While head collars can make it easier to control
a dog that is pulling, we only recommend using a
head collar with two important considerations;
The head collar is introduced to the dog gradually
using a desensitisation and counter conditioning
process (this happens gradually in small sessions
– like wearing in a new pair of boots).
They should only be used in conjunction with a
correctly fitted harness and double ended lead.
We find this gives the handler the best control,
while being as safe as possible it puts most of
the leash pressure on the harness.
Harnesses
Harnesses are a great alternative, but can also cause
issues if not the correct design or fit on your dog.
Harnesses that are often called 'no pull' usually have
a strap across the chest impeding shoulder movement.
This can lead to long term muscle and ligament
damage. A correctly fitting harness will avoid that
damage.
There is no harness that is perfect for every dog.
Consider your dog's body shape and we advise you
to try several out to see which best fits your dog.
Ultimately, a dog's walking equipment is for safety,
for them and for you. Teaching your dog to walk on a
loose lead, focusing on you and not having to rely on
equipment to control them will have the best outcome
for your dog's long term health. If you are struggling
with loose lead walking, seek help from a qualified
force-free trainer.
Ü For more information or to read the full article
please visit the vet-n-pet DIRECT Help Centre.
by Anne Hardacre from Pawsitive Connection
