Paws Around Motown

As you pick up your new pup from the shelter or breeder, I’ll bet you’ve found yourself thinking, “Do I need to get him a harness? What kind should I buy? There are so many choices! What’s the difference between using a harness and just a collar? Should I just get a collar?” All valid questions. Lucky for you, you’re reading this, and are about to gain some clarity.

The Harness

A dog harness is a piece of equipment that consists of straps that typically surround the dog's torso. They are used to guide the dog, or hold/lift the dog. They are also a tool used to optimize a working dog's pulling power. With a reduced amount of tension on the neck, they provide a safe alternative to a regular collar for a pulling dog.

There are many different types of harnesses available, with different contact points to optimize your ability to successfully and safely walk your dog. Not every harness is right for every dog. There is no one size fits all. While it is true that a harness can make it easier for your pup to pull you down the street, there are some options that discourage pulling.

As a former dog walker and current dog trainer, here are some of my favorite harness options:

With any harness option, the proper fit is key. Improper fit can lead to discomfort and chafing. It can also lead to equipment failure and you chasing your little guy down the block. With the proper fit, a harness can make it more difficult for your dog to break away, and it can protect your dog’s airway when over-excitation occurs. The major downside to harnesses is that they can encourage pulling or inadvertently reinforce the behavior by making it easier and more comfortable to pull. All of the options listed above are designed to ensure that pulling is a bit less rewarding than with your traditional harnesses.

There is a time and a place for everything, as my parents always said. There are situations that are better suited for harness wear and there are situations where leash to collar is best. When taking your dog for a bike ride or a run, a harness is definitely the safer and better option! When out and about and meeting dogs on leash, a leash to collar style is the safer and better option.

The Collar

Using a regular flat buckle collar takes time and dedication to perfect. As a dog trainer, I encourage people to go this route. Not only does it provide a safe, enjoyable walking experience, it creates a bond between you and Fido. There are many benefits to teaching your dog to walk with a loose leash. Because walking leash to collar does not optimize pulling for your dog, it actually decreases your need for strength. They are easier to take on and off, and provide many different styles to keep your pup fashion forward. Teaching focus techniques and redirection techniques that will build trust and create confidence is one of my biggest goals as a trainer. At Paws Around Motown a large part of our basic manners and puppy curriculums are focused on just that.

As a pet owner, full time manager and dog trainer, and new mom, I first handedly understand how difficult it can be to commit to training your dog. It is a time consuming process and while it does provide you the best opportunity for success, using a harness in the meantime can provide protection and safety for you and Fido. At Paws Around Motown we have flexible dog training schedules to help you busy parents out there. We pride ourselves on being up to date with research, dog training theory and techniques, and on our ability to accommodate the needs of all different types of pet parents and pet problems! Our goal is to make your training experience successful, simple, and fun! We want you to want to train your pup and we want your dog to have fun learning!