Choosing between a collar and a harness can be a challenge. There\u2019s just so many options out there, and each offers different benefits! While collars used to be the norm for walking your dog on leash back in the day, these days more and more people are switching to a kinder way of walking your dog, a harness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what should you use: a collar or a harness? Does it depend on the situation you\u2019re in, and should they wear it all the time? Is there a right time to use a collar, and does this change when you have a particular breed of dog?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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No worries – we\u2019ve got answers to all your questions. In this article, we\u2019ll tell you what the experts say about using collars or harnesses; the pros and cons between collars vs harnesses, help you figure out what the best method of training your dog might be, and whether your dog\u2019s breed may have a preference for choosing a dog harness over a collar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Download the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a> today, and get started on our leash walking program. We use the most up to date science-backed methods so you\u2019re sure you\u2019re training your dog in the right way, whether you decide to use a collar or harness for training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh and you\u2019ll love our team of professional dog trainers<\/a>. They\u2019re available to answer all your questions and help you through any hiccups along your training journey. If that isn\u2019t your thing, you might want to chat with our own ZiggyAI for all things puppy – professionally trained and Zigzag approved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vets and professional dog trainers will often say \u201dIt\u2019s not the tool, it\u2019s how you use it\u201d. To a certain extent, this is true when considering a dog harness vs a collar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Collars aren\u2019t inherently bad to walk dogs on, but most experts agree that in general we should walk dogs on a harness and<\/em> leash, and use the collars to keep their ID tags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing between a collar vs harness doesn’t need to be a hassle. Let\u2019s look into what we like and don’t like so much about both:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re into it, choose a harness for your dog in our guide to puppy harnesses.<\/a> Beware – you might need a harness yourself to keep you from buying all of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for a nice collar for your puppy? Check out our puppy collar guide.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a time and a place for everything. A collar will sometimes be what’s best to use, and other times a harness will be the way to go when training. Typically, harnesses are going to be the safer bet in all circumstances. This is because even if your dog has a perfect walk on the leash, there may be a time when they get excited and lunge on a collar, which can cause some painful damage to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When training loose leash walking<\/a>, some people prefer a collar and some prefer a harness. In all honesty, either will work. Loose leash walking should be all about positioning. When you walk on a loose leash, whether your dog is wearing a collar or a harness, you\u2019re creating a reinforcement zone next to you, so your dog can learn to walk there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n When training your dog to come back when you call them,<\/a> you will often use a long line<\/a> to make sure they stay safe. However, it\u2019s very important to use a harness when your dog is on a long line, not a collar! If your dog runs to the end, this can cause some serious damage to their neck and throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see, choosing between a collar vs harness for a puppy is a little bit of a no brainer – we say harness every time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, in a way. We think dogs should wear harnesses every time; not just because they are kinder, but for some other reasons too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Larger breeds like Labradors<\/a>, Great Danes and Mastiffs are strong, so using a collar can be dangerous. A harness is a much better option as it will give you much more control and keep them and everyone around them safe. You just never know with these breed\u2019s pulls\u2026it can be like they\u2019re almost running on horsepower sometimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brachycephalic breeds such as French Bulldogs<\/a>, Pugs<\/a> and British Bulldogs have delicate necks and often struggle to breathe, so a harness is much better for them. You definitely want to make it easier for these guys to walk – and enjoy it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sight hounds such as Whippets<\/a>, Greyhounds and Salukis have long slender necks, which makes backing out of a regular collar easy as cake. That\u2019s why harnesses will be far safer for these graceful pups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rescue dogs who may be more of a flight risk are recommended to wear an escape-proof harness. These typically have three sets of straps – regular harnesses only have two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toy and Companion breeds such as Chihuahuas<\/a>, Miniature Pinschers and Pomeranians have delicate necks and can actually suffer from tracheal collapse, so they\u2019ll appreciate using a harness much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here at Zigzag we love a blingy collar, but we truly believe that most dogs benefit from wearing a well-fitting harness much more. The perfect harness is one that\u2019s comfortable, isn\u2019t tight, and doesn’t pull harshly if they try going a bit farther ahead. But besides using a collar or a harness, you must remember that in the end, Loose leash walking<\/a> is about training and not equipment! <\/p>\n\n\n\n And yes, loose leash training is when the fun really starts. Don’t worry- in the Zigzag app, <\/a> you\u2019ll get full, step-by-step instructions on how to go about it. Whether you have a new puppy, a teenage terror, an adult dog who needs a refresh with training, a dog who\u2019s come from a breeder or a rescue, there\u2019s no need to panic. We have a program for you. Doesn\u2019t that sound great?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download the app today<\/a> and get started! Our ZiggyAI or team of professional dog trainers<\/a> will be happy to help you out on any troubles you may have 24\/7 via our in-app chat. Just give them a bark!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nFirst, what do vets say on our collars vs harnesses?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Pros & Cons of both<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros of a Harness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cons of a Harness <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Pros of a Collar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cons of a Collar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Choosing the right method for training <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does breed affect which tool I use?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n