09/14/2025
Hot take: do harnesses encourage your dog to pull?
No, it’s entirely a myth. And here’s why!
‼️ Harnesses reduce physical risk, not behavior.
A harness doesn’t teach a dog to pull — it just protects their neck and trachea if they do. Dogs that pull on a collar can injure themselves more easily, especially with repeated pressure on the throat.
‼️ Pulling is a behavior issue, not an equipment issue.
Whether a dog pulls or not depends on their training and impulse control — not on what gear they wear. A harness alone won’t “make” a dog pull, just like a seatbelt doesn’t make someone drive recklessly.
‼️ Harnesses spread pressure more evenly.
If a dog lunges or pulls, the harness distributes that force across the chest and shoulders, rather than concentrating it on the delicate neck area.
‼️ Safer for developing dogs and certain breeds.
For puppies, small breeds, brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs, and breeds with fragile windpipes, harnesses are a much safer option — even if they do pull.
‼️ Dogs pull in all types of equipment.
Dogs will pull on flat collars, choke chains, prong collars, and even head halters — unless they’re taught not to. It’s the training, not the tool, that changes behavior.
‼️ Harnesses support ethical, positive reinforcement-based training.
They allow trainers to teach polite leash manners without relying on discomfort, intimidation, or pressure-based corrections.
‼️ Back-clip harnesses may give more leverage to the dog — but that’s not the same as “encouraging” pulling.
A back-clip harness can make pulling easier mechanically, but it’s still not causing the behavior — just like a strong engine doesn’t make a car speed.
Regardless of the tool you use, if you haven’t taught your dog leashmanners properly, they’re most likely going to pull on anything. Don’t blame it on the tool and instead take a look at your training 🙌🏼
