There are countless reasons why you might need tips for choosing the right dog harness over a regular dog collar, but comfort and the ability to communicate effectively with your dog are two of the primary ones. Having a dog harness or collar is all about your trying to build communication with your dog as you train them. You can communicate what you want and lead them properly with the right harness. Here are some things you need to know about choosing the right dog harness.
Tips for Choosing the right Dog Harness
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Body harnesses
These harnesses work great for smaller dogs that have a pushed in face. They are also great for weak-necked dogs or tiny dogs that are unable to handle a regular lead collar. The last thing you want to do is harm your small dog, so use a body harness to give them more support. These types of harnesses are easier for the dog to pull on, but the smaller breeds are easier to handle so it is no big deal. A body harness is not a good idea on a larger dog as they will pull you all over the place.
Head-Halters
A dog that has a long snout can use this type of halter and it helps the owner to control pulling. Head halters actually look much like muzzles and do a wonderful job of preventing a dog that pulls a great deal. If you are having this type of problem and your dog has a snout that fits this type of halter, this may be the right dog harness for your pup.
Front-Clip Harness
A front-clip harness is one that actually clips…in the front! This works best for dogs that like to pull a great deal but for whatever reason are unable to use a head halter. Dogs are various sizes, so this particular type of harness has to be custom fitted to the dog to be effective. These are not always the cheapest options on the market but they can be highly effective when traditional harnesses aren’t doing the job.
Sporn Training Collar/Harness
These are a little more controversial but they certainly can do the job of preventing all sizes of dogs from pulling. They should only be used for walking, however, and should always be removed right away upon finishing your training or walking session. You can easily cause the dog to develop a skin irritation if they are worn all the time. These types of training harnesses loop around the front legs and will stop pulling in it’s tracks.
Choke Chain and Prong Collars
These are still used today but I wish they were not. They are primitive and dangerous harnesses that can cause a great deal of harm to dogs when in the wrong hands. The bottom line is that they are still used, but should not be. They are definitely not the right dog harness for any dog. This is not universally agreed upon but is the opinion of this writer. I could not leave them out because they are still a part of the industry.
Take a look at some of our favorite dog harnesses:
