Harness vs. Collar: What’s Best for Your Dog’s Walk?

Once you have your dog’s lead in your hand, they’re bursting out the door like they’re running a marathon. Although, they might not win the race since they need to sniff every tree while refusing to walk in a straight line. If that sounds familiar, then you might need to reconsider the walking gear you’re using.

Harnesses and collars can be great tools for walking your dog, but every dog needs different walking gear. So, which one is actually the best: a harness or a collar?

What’s the Difference?

You can clip a lead to both a harness and a collar, but they’re worn differently. Collars attach around the dog’s neck while harnesses fit around their chest and body. Both can be safe and effective when used properly, but some dogs benefit from one over the other.

When to Choose a Collar

Most dogs have collars to carry their ID tags and let people know they’re not a stray. However, not all dog parents like using them as walking tools. Consider the benefits and features of collars to decide if you should use them for walking.

Pros

• Lightweight

• Simple design

• Great for carrying ID tags

• Available in a wide range of colours and patterns

• Certain collar types, like martingale collars, help with training

Best for

• Calm walkers

• Dogs with good leash manners

• Small or medium dogs that don’t pull

Overall, attaching a lead to a collar is perfectly fine if your dog walks calmly beside you without pulling. Otherwise, the collar could put a lot of stress on their neck when they pull. The collar should be snug while still being loose enough for you to slide two fingers under to ensure it doesn’t restrict movement.

If your dog needs to work on leash manners, martingale collars can help because they tighten slightly around your dog’s neck when they pull. You can teach your furry friend that the tightening feeling means to check in with you.

When to Choose a Harness

While a collar is a good universal walking product for dogs, many canines do better with a harness. Think about your dog’s specific needs to determine if they’d be better off walking with a harness than a collar.

Pros

• Reduces pressure on your dog’s neck

• Offers better control, especially for strong pullers

• Safer for dogs with breathing problems and/or neck issues

• Front-clip harness can help with training

Best For

• Dogs prone to pulling or lunging suddenly, such as reactive dogs

• Dogs in training

• Excitable puppies

• High-energy dogs

• Large breeds

Harnesses can offer more control while also reducing the risk of strain on your dog’s neck. However, like collars, they should still be paired with training to reduce pulling. Harness can be tricky to put on, so follow the instructions that come with the harness and adjust it as needed.

Front-clip harnesses are a great training tool because when your dog pulls, the harness forces them to face you. This can be used to teach them to look at you instead of pulling.

Things to Watch Out For

There are tons of collars and harnesses on the market, so not all of them are created equal. When choosing the proper product and getting ready for walks, keep the following in mind:

• Walking gear that’s too tight or too loose can cause rubbing or discomfort.

• Harnesses should never restrict shoulder movement.

• It’s best not to use a retractable lead with collars and harnesses since it has some safety risks and doesn’t offer control.

When buying a collar or harness, make sure it’s the proper size for maximum comfort. If you buy it at a pet supply store, you can try the different products on your dog to see which one fits best. If you’re shopping online, measure your dog’s neck and chest to help you order the right size. 

Once you have a comfortable collar or harness, start working on leash training to make walks as positive as possible.

The Final Verdict (Spoiler: It Depends on Your Dog!)

When it comes to pet products, one size never fits all. Every dog is unique, so while some dogs walk great with a regular collar, others are better with a standard harness, front-clip harness, or martingale collar. Consider your dog’s walking habits, training progress, and health conditions to decide which items will work best for your four-legged family member.