Harness or collar ?
- Thread starter NamVetJoe
- Start date
Curing
Member
I think I started off with a harness for my puppy, just because when she pulled I worried about her injuring her self. That’s along of pressure on the trachea.
When she aged we switched to a prong collar for training.
So yeah, in short I preference a harness for a puppy and then later switch to something else if you choose.
Just avoid a harness that goes over the shoulders.
When she aged we switched to a prong collar for training.
So yeah, in short I preference a harness for a puppy and then later switch to something else if you choose.
Just avoid a harness that goes over the shoulders.
I've always done collars from the start, and have switched over to harnesses once they're older in order to help prevent neck injuries cropping up. for training and control at least until they are fairly well trained and livable, I find a collar essential.
Doberman Gang
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Flat collar from the start, harnesses promote pulling and teach wrong behavior that will have to be fixed later. I only use a harness when building drive in bitework.
Lizbeli
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I use a harness for my 4mth old while we play ball in public areas. He drags a 30ft lightweight leash due to leash laws..
For walking, we use a Weiss Walkie leash which wraps around his body and hooks to his flat collar. Eventually I will move to a prong but I wanted to try a less intense tool in his puppy stage. I really like the Weiss Walkie leash and it is good for leisurely walks. Not for focused heel training.
For walking, we use a Weiss Walkie leash which wraps around his body and hooks to his flat collar. Eventually I will move to a prong but I wanted to try a less intense tool in his puppy stage. I really like the Weiss Walkie leash and it is good for leisurely walks. Not for focused heel training.
This is exactly what I was going to say. I honestly don't think we've ever owned a harness because I don't like them or the looks of them, aside from on a working dog.
We’ve only ever used flat collars. The only time we use a harness (specifically designed) is for her sport (Canicross) - the harness promotes her natural pulling power, which is needed in this sport. Teaching a dog to walk on a flat collar and pull in harness can be a difficult task BUT not impossible.
jazzies mum
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I agree. Recently had to replace Jazzies car harness that she had outgrown, and bought her a nice comfortable leather tracking harness. Now we have a once or twice a week session in the harness where she is required to work nicely up into it with a firm and consistent pull, and no side trips for sniffing! She is directed by my body attitude with verbal cues and it really tires her out! At the end of each session we do some heel work with loose leash, and she is quite content to have a rest!
Then some off leash for a reward!This training means that for any non-pulling walk she is always on a collar.
Atingles10
Notable member
We had good results with this leash until he got older and bigger! But to start it was just what we wanted. When he got bigger and stronger we moved over to the prong collar and flat collar
Brioddy
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I prefer harnesses.
I didn’t start Brinks in one, and he is still a terrible tugger without a prong. I’ve considered getting him a harness to help me along on mountain hikes! However for Rio I started him in a harness, and it does have a lot to do with just how he is too but he’s my best leash walker. Maybe it’s just me, I get a bit claustrophobic in situations and the idea of having something cinched around my neck is stress inducing. I imagine being a young puppy it could be even more so, a harness eliminates pressure off the trachea and IMO is more forgiving. I did have him get used to wearing a collar but never attached a leash to it til he was a bit older, 6 months or so. Now at 10 months he gives to pressure easily and is a pleasure to take out and about, collar or harness.
I didn’t start Brinks in one, and he is still a terrible tugger without a prong. I’ve considered getting him a harness to help me along on mountain hikes! However for Rio I started him in a harness, and it does have a lot to do with just how he is too but he’s my best leash walker. Maybe it’s just me, I get a bit claustrophobic in situations and the idea of having something cinched around my neck is stress inducing. I imagine being a young puppy it could be even more so, a harness eliminates pressure off the trachea and IMO is more forgiving. I did have him get used to wearing a collar but never attached a leash to it til he was a bit older, 6 months or so. Now at 10 months he gives to pressure easily and is a pleasure to take out and about, collar or harness.
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
I think there are two types of harnesses we’re talking about here. The ones that are designed for pulling, one that is intentional as in sport, or one that is designed to reduce pulling while walking. The ones that say they reduce pulling, they often have a strap across the upper chest/shoulders of the dog. When we tried an Easy Walk harness (I have a thread on it), I found it impacted his gait. He could not jump into or out of my SUV and thankfully he indicated this by refusing to jump. He has also had chiro treatment which I suspected was due to that particular harness.
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