12/05/2025
Yes ๐๐ถ๐พ๐ค
๐พA collar is great for keeping your dogโs identification tag on; however, it is not ideal for training or walking.
The biggest problem with a collar is that it can potentially cause a lot of damage to your dogโs neck. Prolonged pressure on the neck can affect the dogโs lymph nodes, mandibular gland, thyroid glands, trachea and esophagus.
๐When you're walking your dog on a collar and encounter an unexpected change in the environment, your dog might react by suddenly darting after something or running away in fright. If they reach the end of their lead during this sudden movement, they'll be sharply yanked back. This abrupt stop can put a significant amount of sudden pressure on their neck, potentially leading to whiplash, bruising of the esophagus, and other injuries.
Choke collars, including prong and chain types, are linked to several severe injuries in dogs. These injuries can range from spinal cord damage and whiplash to crushed trachea and difficulty breathing. Further harm can include fractured larynx bones and damage to the esophagus with bruising. Prong collars work by pinching the dog's neck skin when they pull on the leash. Over time, this repeated pinching can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which is less sensitive to pain, causing the dog to gradually ignore the discomfort due to the decreased sensation in that area.
โ๏ธAny collar that tightens around a dog's neck can cause significant discomfort by restricting their air supply. This not only frightens the dog but can also trigger a fight-or-flight response. Such experiences can lead to long-term fear or even aggressive behaviour in dogs as they try to avoid or escape from similar situations in the future.
Depending on its design, a harness can distribute pressure more evenly across a dog's chest and back. The primary aim of using a harness is to alleviate strain on the neck and help prevent injuries to the trachea, offering a safer and more comfortable alternative to traditional collars.
โ๏ธNot all harnesses are created equal, and some are specifically designed to discourage pulling by causing discomfort or pain. These types of harnesses may rub, pinch, or tighten when the dog pulls, leading to discomfort and pain. The intention is for the dog to associate pulling with these unpleasant sensations and learn to stop in order to avoid them. Itโs important to avoid harnesses that have straps running straight across the chest, as these can restrict freedom of movement and be uncomfortable for the dog. Additionally, be cautious with harnesses labelled as "no-pull." While they are designed to discourage pulling, some may achieve this by causing discomfort.
When looking for a harness, you need to look for the right size and shape. I personally prefer the โYโ shaped harness because the straps of the harness sit far away from the dogโs joints and does not restrict movement from the forelimbs by allowing the shoulder to rotate and the leg to extend forward.
When choosing a harness, look for one that fits well and complements the natural shape of your dog. I personally recommend the 'Y' shaped harness because it's designed with the dog's comfort and mobility in mind. The straps on this type of harness are positioned away from the dogโs joints, making sure they donโt restrict movement. This allows for full shoulder rotation and doesnโt obstruct extension of the front legs, making it ideal for active dogs who need to move freely without discomfort.
If the straps of a harness sit too close to the shoulders, they can interfere with your dog's natural movement. This not only causes discomfort but may also negatively impact your puppy's developmental movement patterns.
โHarness to avoid โ
Avoid any harness that does not seem to have been designed around the dogโs physiology.
For instance, a harness with a strap across the chest and shoulders can limit your dog's natural movements. It's important to also ensure that the strap around the abdomen doesn't sit too close to the dog's elbows or pinch under the armpits, as this can cause discomfort and restrict movement as well.
Another harness to avoid is anything that works by โclosingโ around the dogโs body (tightening and decreasing is size) when your dog pulls on the leash. This causes pressure and discomfort, and some can even cause pain. The dog then learns to avoid the unpleasant feeling by not pulling. This does not teach your dog to walk nicely, this teaches your dog to avoid pain and discomfort.
I would NOT recommend using a head harness, halti, or head collar. These tools can cause discomfort to the dog's nose when pulling, and in the event of a sudden jerk, they may lead to serious injuries to the face, neck, and spine. Additionally, such discomfort can increase stress and potentially exacerbate behavioural problems rather than solving them
Anything that inflicts pain, discomfort and causes serious physical and emotional damage to the dog should never be used.
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The kindest harness to use for a dog who tends to pull would be a harness shaped in a โYโ, which has an attachment on the top and front of the harness. A good positive reinforcement trainer can help teach you how to show your dog to walk nicely on leash.
*๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐* Harnesses or collars alone do not resolve behavioural issues like leash pulling, jumping, or reactivity. Science based approaches focusing on positive reinforcement and appropriate environmental management are whats needed to help address these challenges.
A dog pulling on a leash is not an equipment problem; it's a matter of emotional responses, behaviour and appropriate training.
First, identify the underlying emotions and reasons behind your dog's pulling. Next, work on building their confidence and improving their impulse control. Begin training by rewarding the behaviours you wish to encourage instead of reprimanding the behaviours you don't like.
Be patient, be kind, and if you are struggling with this, please find a reputable positive reinforcement trainer in your area.
