Collar Vs Harness, that is the question...
Trudi Sheridan 
Why you need to walk your dog on a harness if they pull on the lead. My recommendation for finding a well fitting harness to keep your dog safe.
Collar Vs Harness
Do I walk my dog with the lead attached to a collar, or do I need a harness?
This is a question that often comes up from my clients…
My answer is always a question back to them...
Does your dog pull on the lead?
If you have a dog that walks nicely on the lead without pulling, walking your dog with the lead attached to their collar is fine.
If however you’ve got a dog that pulls on the lead… and let’s face it that’s most puppies, young dogs, dogs that want to say hello to anyone and everyone, or you have a dog that’s worried by things on walks… if your dog pulls or is likely to pull on the lead you need a harness.
If your dog pulls, walking your dog with the lead attached to their collar can cause serious damage to their neck and throat.
Why use a harness?
Using a well fitting walking harness will help your dog stay safe on walks.
The area around your dog’s throat is really vulnerable.
Unlike a collar, a well fitted harness doesn’t put any pressure on your dog’s neck and throat.
A harness won’t stop your dog pulling on the lead, but if your dog does pull they aren’t going to be damaging their neck or throat.
It’s also worth mentioning that a harness won’t cause your dogs pulling… this is another question I get asked. Will a harness make my dog pull? Answer NO! Dogs pull for all sorts of reasons, but I’ll leave that for another Blog…
One thing that’s essential with harnesses is that the harness fits well and is the right size for your dog.
What type of harness do you need?
First decide what activity you’re going to need the harness for
For most of us that’s a walking harness
If you want to run with your dog, or do cani-cross where your dog runs out in front of and PULLS then there are lots of sports harnesses available that are designed especially for pulling.
As these harnesses are designed for the dog to be out front and pulling into the harness, this isn’t a good option for walking, particularly if you’re teaching your dog to walk nicely on the lead without pulling!
The best option for a ‘walking’ harness is a well fitted Y-shaped harness
Safety tip : If you go out for walks with your dog at night, finding a dog harness that has reflective trim ensures your dog is highly visible to you and to others.
Why a Y-shaped harness over other types?
It allows full front leg and shoulder movement.
There’s no restriction across the chest area.
Which harness do I recommend?
My personal go to harness is either the Perfect Fit harness or the TTouch harness. I use both of these with my own dogs.
Both of these Y-shaped walking harnesses are designed to distribute the weight of the dog evenly over the harness, allowing the dog to walk ‘in balance’
Both Perfect Fit and TTouch harnesses have 5 points of adjustment.
Perfect Fit harnesses come in three separate pieces which can be sized and purchased separately, so it is easier to get the ‘perfect fit’ for your dog.
Perfect Fit have an easy online guide on how to measure your dog, their fleece top pieces come in a great range of colours including three with reflective trim.
Both Perfect Fit and TTouch harnesses have two points of connection so you have the option to ‘double clip’ the lead to the back clip and the front clip for reassurance if you have a very strong puller.
It’s important to never use the front D-ring on its own - this can unbalance your dog. Either attach to the back clip on its own, or use a double ended lead to clip to both.
You may decide to choose a different Y-shaped harness but here are some harness types to avoid.
Harness types to AVOID
DO NOT USE anything that promises ‘No pull’ or “Stop pull”
These types of harnesses tighten and add pressure when your dog pulls to make your dog feel uncomfortable.
It’s our job to teach our dogs to walk nicely on the lead without resorting to ‘tools’ that cause discomfort, pressure or pain.
Getting a Harness that FITS
Whichever harness you choose it’s essential that the harness fits well and is the right size for your dog.
Poorly fitted harnesses can be too tight, or too big, or wrong for your dog’s body type.
It’s important that the harness doesn’t inhibit your dog’s movement or make breathing difficult.
Check that it isn’t too tight and digging in anywhere, or that it’s not too big and moving about as your dog moves. Check that the harness doesn’t rub or irritate your dog’s skin.
To determine the right size harness for your dog it’s important that you measure your dog properly.
If you choose Perfect Fit there are full instructions on their website on how to measure your dog, and a breed guide too.
Measuring Your Dog
You’ll need a measuring tape and potentially an extra pair of hands if your dog or puppy is particularly wriggly.
Measure the broadest part of your dog’s chest and stomach, which is normally right behind their shoulder blades. This ensures the harness will fit comfortably around their ribs and stomach.
Measure the thinnest part of your dog’s neck.
TIP : If you’re harness shopping online make a note of your dog’s measurements in both inches and centimetres so you’ll have both available to help you make the right choice.
Having these measurements will help you find a harness that will fit your dog well. Your dog may end up being between sizes. If that happens, choose an adjustable harness in the larger size and adjust down to your dog.
Happy Harness Shopping!
Trudi at Completely Mutz
