Dog Harness VS Dog Collar
According to research conducted by the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, they found that wearing a canine collar leads to increased intraocular pressure as compared to a regular dog harness.
This is because a harness spreads the force generated during pulling across the dog’s body. Small-sized dogs and puppies can’t handle the pressure that a collar generates, and a tuck could crush their windpipes or damage their necks.
It is often the belief of some dog parents that the discomfort a collar provides is preferable as it is better equipment to discourage dog pulling. But some research has claimed that such beliefs are wrong. Instead of training or discouraging the canine to pull lesser, the neck of the dog gets accustomed to your pulls and more resistant. Hence, you as the dog owner will have to resort to harder pulls which risks severe canine injuries.
There is less chance of a canine harness slipping off or breaking away while your dog is running and so your furry friend feels more confident and secure with the harness around its body.
The bottom line is that with the right dog harness, you can avoid all this. The correct harness makes activities of various kinds to be enjoyable for you and your dog.
What To Look Out For When Buying A Harness For Your Dog?
When going through the different styles of dog harnesses on the market, it can be challenging to make the right choice.
The best thing that to do is to carefully research and understand the features of a harness before purchasing it.
Is your pooch the type that easily jumps into mud puddles? Then you will be better off choosing a harness that can easily be washed in the machine.
Or perhaps your pooch is the type that will lunge at other dogs on the road? Then decide on a harness with a top handle that allows for better control.
Furthermore, it is better for you to take your pooch out while searching the market for a harness. This way, you can try out each type and decide on which will be easier to wear on and take off from your canine buddy.
What Are No Pull Dog Harnesses?
Just as its name suggests, no-pull dog harnesses prevent dogs from pulling or at least reduce the rate at which the dog pulls. A no-pull dog harness works by distributing the pressure evenly around the body of the dog. When a dog starts to pull on the harness, the front hook gently steers your pooch back towards you.
This helps to discourage any unwanted pulling behavior.
A no-pull canine harness typically comes with two separate clips to be used for the leash. One clip will be attached to the front, while the other is attached to the back.
No-Pull Back-Clip Harness
Back-clip dog harnesses are one with a D-ring leash attachment on the back, resting between the shoulder blades of the dog. They are a suitable choice for small dogs, dogs with injuries in the neck, and dogs that have trachea or respiratory problems. For instance, a back-clip harness will be suitable for a dog that has a collapsed trachea because it does not strain the neck of the dog.
It provides excellent protection on the dog's throat and neck region. However, excessively pulling dogs, powerful dogs, or big dogs with little training and a high prey drive will not benefit from a back-clip harness. For instance, a bull mastiff that pulls frantically and weighs 200 pounds will not benefit from a back-clip harness.
No-Pull Front-Clip Harness
On the other hand, a front clip harness is one with the D-ring form of leash attachment at the front and at the center of the dog’s chest. They are an excellent choice for dogs that jump and pull, and also dogs that easily get distracted while walking or are difficult to direct. It is ideal for training a dog on how to easily navigate.
Related: Best Escape Proof Dog Harness
How To Put On A No-Pull Dog Harness?
Putting on a harness for a dog is dependent on the model and make of the harness. Some dog harnesses go in over the head of the dog and clip on both sides with a strap that holds the harness around the dog’s chest or waist.
While other no-pull harnesses open and close around the dog with multiple clips. You might have to make your pooch walk into a harness before it can be secured with single or multiple clips around the back area.
So, always practice positive reinforcement with your pooch to let it get used to the harness. Reward it with a treat whenever it wears the no-pull canine harness.
Measuring Your Dog For The No-Pull Harness
It is essential that you measure your furry friend correctly for the no-pull harness you want to purchase to avoid the risk of many injuries and problems of different kinds. An overly loose canine harness can lead to your canine companion slipping out of the harness and escaping. While too tight of a harness can cause pain and discomfort.
For most dog harnesses, there are two measurements needed – the chest and the lower neck. The process involves the use of a measuring tape that is soft to measure around the lower portion of your furry friend’s neck. Place the tape a little above the breastbone and towards the back of the dog’s neck. Use the soft tape to measure around the widest part of your canine friend’s chest. This involves setting the tape a little behind the front legs and wrapping it around to the point of the dog’s back for most dogs. Several dog harnesses make use of the term “girth” in describing the measurements of the dog’s chest.
Also, it is better to allow for two fingers of extra space when fitting the harness of your pooch to avoid pinching and chafing. So, buy the harness for your canine buddy based on the measurements.
Padding
Some dog owners often ask if padding is necessary for a no-pull dog harness.
The answer is based on the type of dog and your preference. As a general guide, dog breeds that have short hair could potentially benefit from padding to prevent skin irritation and rubbing.
No-Pull Harness Material
Cleaning of dog harnesses is crucial especially those with a padded material. Some dog owners will choose a leather canine harness because of the reduced possibility of skin irritation. While some other paw parents will go for nylon dog harnesses because they are quicker and easier to wash.
The size, breed, allergies, and skin quality of your dog influence the choice of the material to a great extent. As great as leather dog harnesses look, lightweight nylon materials are the best for dogs such as pugs. Besides, Nylon is a very durable material though if it is without extra padding, the force of pulling on your pooch can rub its skin and lead to irritations.
Adjustability
Adjustability is one of the vital points when purchasing a no-pull canine harness. Though you can get your dog measurements and buy a suitable canine harness, it is still rare to get a perfect fit. So, an excellent way to ensure a suitable and correct harness fit for your canine companion is to make use of adjustment points.
Moreover, as your pooch grows, these adjustment points ensure that the harness is still a good fit.
Related: Best Tactical Dog Harness
