Bringing home a new puppy or adult dog is a thrill for most households. Children and adults alike can play and exercise with the dog to their heart’s content. Part of the thrill of pet ownership is taking the pooch out on a walk. Walk into any pet shop, and dog owners encounter several aisles of leashes, collars and harnesses. Before owners make any purchase decisions, learn about the best equipment for those exhilarating walks. Choosing between collars and harnesses is an important decision that should be based on several factors.
Consider Breed Features
There are so many dog breeds in the world that it may be difficult to name them all. Because of their individual attributes, the dogs’ harnesses or collars must be matched to the specific breed. At a Lakewood dog boarding facility, the experts would suggest that a pug should have a harness. Placing a collar on this breed and walking it will only result in vision problems. It’s a fact that the pug’s eyes will protrude from the sockets with every pull on a collar.
If a pet owner takes their greyhound to the kennel, those caregivers would suggest a harness for these breeds too. The greyhound’s head is slightly smaller than the neck, which leads to losing the collar over time. A harness simply stays in place on this particular breed.
Collar Comfort
Pet owners who’re connected with their dogs will know that each animal is unique. Each dog has its own likes and dislikes. With this fact in mind, some dogs prefer a collar over the harness because of basic comfort. A harness wraps around the dog’s torso and snugly hugs it. Many dogs want the freedom of feeling a collar instead of an entire harness. Their instincts kick in as they feel less confined with a collar.
Pet owners can observe other dogs at a Golden dog training facility to see which breeds prefer the collar. In many cases, larger dogs demand the collar comfort.
Calm Respiratory Issues
Some breeds will inherently have difficulty with breathing. Visit a Lakewood kennel, and snores and whistles can be heard across the halls. These breathing issues aren’t necessarily bad, but they can worsen with the use of a collar.
A collar will cut off the pet’s windpipe and possibly cause more harm than good. Basset hounds and pugs are well-known for their breathing issues. Keep a harness on these breeds so that the respiratory system can work as well as possible. If these pets enter a Lakewood dog daycare at some point, the experts at this facility will keep up with harness use as directed by the owners.
Choose Based on Training Goals
A family may take their pet to a dog training class each week. The pooch behaves well, and it doesn’t pull on the leash. In this case, a collar is a perfectly suitable accessory for everyday walks. In contrast, a new puppy learning about the world around it should wear a harness. During these critical learning periods, puppies and untrained dogs will pull at the leash. This action, in turn, puts pressure on the restraint system. Puppies who wear collars will have a choking sensation placed upon them. A harness is more humane because the pull is on the torso, which gives the owner a chance to lead the pup rather than punish it.
Select Martingale Over Choke Collars
In the past, pet owners often used choke or pronged collars on their dogs. These collars taught control by way of punishment. Scientific research suggests that positive reinforcement is the best way to train a dog. Look for martingale collars that use an ingenious, slip collar for control. As the animal pulls, the collar gently tightens but never chokes the animal. Any dog daycare environment only uses positive reinforcement with their training techniques so pet owners should follow suit.
Compare Back-Attaching and Front-Attaching Harnesses
Within the harness world are two different styles, including back- and front-attaching designs. For small dogs with few behavioral issues, back-attached harnesses are a smart choice. The leash attaches to a metal loop that’s located on the dog’s back. There’s some control with the dog as it’s directed with this pressure on the back and torso.
When you’re still training a dog, a front-attaching harness is a better selection. The leash connection point is on the chest, which gives the pet owner a chance to guide the dog as necessary. Pet owners simply need to control the slack on the leash so that it doesn’t trip the dog.
Wear a Collar for ID Purposes
A flat, lightweight collar should be placed on each dog for identification purposes. This collar holds the ID tags, licenses and other information. It’s not necessary to attach a leash to this particular collar. In fact, many pet owners who prefer collars during a walk will add a second one so that the ID collar remains comfortable. Although owners have a good hold on their pups, escaping from any collar or harness is possible.
Use Harnesses With Lungers
Many dogs get excited as they take a walk with their owners. When they see an interesting item, they quickly lunge toward it. If a dog is on a collar at this point, they’ll experience a sharp pain around their neck. Dogs that tend to lunge should wear harnesses. They may still lunge, but the controlled pressure is around the torso. Neck injuries are common in dogs that lunge with collars on exclusively. Pet owners want to minimize any neck issues because they can become chronic over time.
If pet owners have any questions about their dog’s care, speaking with the experts at Pet Peeves LLC is a good place to start. These dog boarding experts can go over the best equipment for any pet, especially as the seasons change from warm to downright cold. When pet owners live and play in Golden, Colorado, their dogs’ care should be a top priority as they train the animals with the perfect collar or harness.
