Dog Collar or Harness? – The Pros and Cons

If you enjoy walks with Fido as much as he does, ensuring he wears the most comfortable and maneuverable attire can help make your daily adventures together all the more enjoyable. While collars may be the more traditional and convenient option, some dogs are better off wearing a harness. Read on to find out the pros and cons of dog collars vs harnesses and see which one is best for you and your canine pal. 

Things to Consider

If you’re a dog lover, you’ve probably walked a pooch that liked to tug pretty hard on the leash at one time or another. Some dogs will even go so far as to choke themselves on the leash as they try to drag you along. In these instances, getting a harness for Fido may seem like a logical solution to the problem, but this isn’t always the case. 

There are a few basic things to consider when determining which device is best for your dog:

• His size
• His behavior
• His comfort level

Knowing the pros and cons of collars and harnesses can help you choose the one that works best for you and Fido.

Pros and Cons of Dog Collars

Pros

• Can be worn all the time
• Work best for dogs who don’t usually pull on the leash
• Available in a variety of styles, such as: 
  • Slip collars that prevent dogs from slipping out of the collar
  • Choke and prong collars that can be used when training your dog

Cons

• May pose a choking hazard for dogs that like to tug on the leash
• Can cause neck injury, especially for smaller dogs
• May be uncomfortable for dogs with respiratory problems
• Can be difficult to control your dog when he pulls hard on the leash

Pros and Cons of Harnesses

Pros

• Work great for teaching puppies how to behave on leash
• Gives you more control during the walk
• Reduced risk of neck injury 
• Less restrictive for dogs with respiratory problems

Cons

• For dogs with long fur, their fur can become tangled and wrap around the straps of the harness
• Some dogs dislike wearing harnesses, which makes more work for you
• May irritate the underside of your dog’s legs
• Not made to be worn all day

If you have more questions or wish to schedule an appointment for your pooch with the vet, please don’t hesitate to call our office anytime!